Poll: What does your school aged child know about the American Revolution?

[Anonymous]

(Spin off of a thread on the MD Public Schools forum)

Please ask your school aged child what he or she knows about the American Revolution. Has he or she heard of something called the Declaration of Independence? Familiar with "George Washington", other famous patriots or historical figures at all? Does he or she have a general idea that the American colonists were fighting a country called "Britain"?

Share what he or she says (along with grade level if you could ). Just curious!

[jsteele]

My 4th grade son knows all about the American Revolution. He studied it in school when he was in 3rd grade and became fascinated with that period of history. He has watched a number of movies about the revolution. He loved visiting Mt. Vernon and even wanted to have his birthday there (we convinced him that bowling would be more fun). He would probably say that the colonists were fighting "England" because he is more familiar with that name.

[Anonymous]

Yes, my kids ages 5-9 know this history. But not from school but from these things we have at home:

Living History audio CDs - http://www.chinaberry.com/prod.cfm/pgc/17000/sbc/17006/inv/8071

Childhood of Famous Americans book series - http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_tref_widget_0?rh=n%3A290703%2Ck%3Achildhood+of+famous+americans+books&keywords=childhood+of+famous+americans+books&ie=UTF8&qid=1267236691

[Anonymous]

I know nothing about it! Was Paul Revere involved?

I'm sure I knew what it was when I was taught it in school, I was an honor roll student

[Anonymous]

My second grader knows in general terms what the American Revolution was about, knows there was something called the Boston Tea Party (though I don't think he really understands what that was about), knows that Paul Revere had a role, knows about the Declaration of Independence and who were some of its signers, such as Jefferson, Hancock, Franklin, and John Adams. Knows that Washington was a revolutionary general and first president. Some of this he knows from school, but most of it he knows from books we've read and visits to Mt. Vernon and Colonial Williamsburg.

[Anonymous]

My pre-k kid came home from school singing a song about george washington first president of the USA!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about it! Was Paul Revere involved?

I'm sure I knew what it was when I was taught it in school, I was an honor roll student

Glad I am not the only one!! I was afraid to comment!

[Anonymous]

I am British, so I have taught my 7 year old daughter the truth: it was a treacherous rebellion by a group misfits and malcontents against the rightful sovereign, in an attempt to get out of paying the very taxes that were necessary for the protection of the Colonies. George Washington was no patriot, but a traitor and slave-owner to boot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about it! Was Paul Revere involved?

I'm sure I knew what it was when I was taught it in school, I was an honor roll student

The American Revolution was this big battle fought between the American colonists and the mother country (AKA Britain) to gain out independence from them. It was around the year 1776, which was, like, a long time ago.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which explained why it was right for the colonists to break away from the motherland and become our own country. Something to do with "No taxation without representation".

[Anonymous]

Aren't you going to finish the story PP and tell your child that many of her American friends are descended from such traitors so maybe she should only have British friends in the future? But hey, welcome to OUR country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which explained why it was right for the colonists to break away from the motherland and become our own country. Something to do with "No taxation without representation".

Tell that to the inhabitants of the District! Yet if they took up arms against the Federal Government, would you call them patriots or rebels?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aren't you going to finish the story PP and tell your child that many of her American friends are descended from such traitors so maybe she should only have British friends in the future? But hey, welcome to OUR country.

Actually it is our country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which explained why it was right for the colonists to break away from the motherland and become our own country. Something to do with "No taxation without representation".

Tell that to the inhabitants of the District! Yet if they took up arms against the Federal Government, would you call them patriots or rebels?

Both! You are a rebel until you win, then you are a patriot!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aren't you going to finish the story PP and tell your child that many of her American friends are descended from such traitors so maybe she should only have British friends in the future? But hey, welcome to OUR country.

Actually it is our country.

And just to be clear, all her friends are British. Unfortunately many of them aren't aware of it, because they have bought into this whole independence thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

And just to be clear, all her friends are British. Unfortunately many of them aren't aware of it, because they have bought into this whole independence thing.

LOL! Cheers!