Johnny Tremain Projects        


        1. Many famous historical characters appear in Johnny Tremain. Research at least 2 of the characters and explain their significance in the American Revolution. Additionally, explain how Esther Forbes weaves them into her historical fiction novel, Johnny Tremain.
  • Paul Revere
  • John Hancock
  • Josiah Quincy
  • John Adams
  • Sam Adams
  • James Otis
  • Whigs
  • Tories
  • Governor Hutchinson
  • General Gage
  • Sons of Liberty

Historical Characters and Events Information Site
http://www.dell.homestead.com/revwar/files/index.htm
Sites About Paul Revere and silversmithing
http://www.paulreverehouse.org
http://www.history.org/life/trades/tradesil.htm
http://www.paulreverehouse.org/midnight.html [facts about "midnight ride"]
http://www.oldnorth.com
Grolier Encyclopedia
http://go.grolier.com

        2. Research at least 2 of the following historical events and discuss how they contributed to the rising action of the American Revolution:
  • Tea Tax
  • Stamp Tax/Sugar Act
  • Stamp Act #2
  • Coercive Act
  • Boston Tea Party
  • Battle of Lexington
  • Townsend Act

Historical Characters and Events Information Site
http://www.dell.homestead.com/revwar/files/index.htm

        3. Print out Longfellows's famous ballad: "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere". Recite the ballad for our class, adding 2 of your own stanzas which may be inserted anywhere into the poem.

"Midnight ride of Paul Revere" Ballad
http://www.paulreverehouse.org/events/poem.html

        4. Write a poem that captures the spirit of the American Revolution. Go to the following poetry website to help you with thematic ideas:
http://www.favoritepoem.org/archive
and the rhyming dictionaries at:
http://www.rhymezone.com
http://www.rhymer.com
http://rhyme.poetry.com

        5. Find historical maps of Boston and the related areas during the time of the Revolution. Make a large colorful map on posterboard that depicts the Freedom Trail, the Old North Church, the Common, Paul Revere's House and the site of famous Revolutionary battles.
Maps:
http://earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/maps/bostonmap/index.html
Freedom Trail
http://www.discoverboston.com
http://www.vboston.com/VBoston/Content/FreedomTrail/index.cfm        Interactive Map

http://www.nps.gov/bost/ftrail.htm        The Freedom Trail and Other Important Sites
        6. Related Readings: You may choose one of these novels and write a summary. Additionally, compare the novel you've chosen to Johnny Tremain.

        My Brother Sam is Dead by James and Christopher Collier

        April Morning by Howard Fast

        7. Create a Power Point Presentation, giving an overview of Johnny's Boston and the events leading to the Revolution.
Resource Sites:
http://www.dell.homestead.com/revwar/files/index.htm
http://www.discoverboston.com        (Choose "Points of Interest" from the menu on the left)