The West: Episode One - The People

http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/program/episodes/one/

Rating: 1, Awesome!

Description: The West is a story of conquest, of competing promises and competing visions of the land. Many peoples laid claim to the West, and many played a part in settling it. But in the end, only one nation, the United States, would demand it all -- and take it. This episode of the PBS New Perspective on the American West series focuses on the period before conquest and the early steps by Americans and Spanish to claim the West. Standard 5.6.6 and 5.8.1, 5.8.3, and 5.8.4

Comments: The influence of the West on the Revolution and vice vesa is important to consider.

Resource Type: Mix of Text and Graphics.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 3114

These United Colonies: The American War of Independence

http://historywiz.com/amerev-mm.htm

Rating: 1, Awesome!

Description: This History Wiz site by Jennifer Brainard provides an overview of the events that led to the American Revolution. There are images of primary source paintings and maps as well as links to more primary material. Standards 5.5.1, 5.5.2, 5.5.4, and 5.6.1

Comments: Users navigate by following the arrows not selectingpages.

Resource Type: Mix of Text and Graphics.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 3612

Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolution

http://www.ushistory.org/march/

Rating: 1, Awesome!

Description: This page on the USHistory.org site has a great history of battles of the American Revolution beginning with the Philadelphia Campaign 1777. It has a quick history of the Revolutionary War 1765-1777 plus an overview of the events leading up to the campaign. Standard 5.6 1

Comments: This is a site in development and is reviewed by historians.

Resource Type: Mix of Text and Graphics.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 3368

War for Independence

http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/exhibition/flash.html

Rating: 1, Awesome!

Description: American colonists wen to war to win their independence from Great Britain. Just weeks after the outbreak of fighting at Lexington and concord, Congress appointed George Washington general and commander in chief of an army "for the Defense of American liberty." Outmatched American troups often retreated, but returned to fight again, frustrating British efforts to crush the rebellion. A stunning victory at Yorktown by the American sapped Britain's will to fight. Standard 5.6.1

Comments: Selection War for Independence from the timeline at the Smithsonian site.

Resource Type: Primary Source Text.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 3408

1776-1783: Diplomacy of the American Revolution

http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/history/time1.html

Rating: 2, High!

Description: This U.S. State Department site has fascinating information about the behind-the-scenes work of the diplomats who negotiated for the warring colonies during the Revolution in Paris, Madrid, Holland and Russia. Many believe that French support for the Americans in the Revolution was essential element in our winning independence. Standards 5.5.4 and 5.6.2

Comments: As you read about these events, think about how much the nations of Europe had to lose if American ideas prevailed.

Resource Type: Secondary Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 9

Battle of Lexington and Concord

http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/MilSci/BTSI/Lexcon/

Rating: 2, High!

Description: This Worchester Polytechnic Institute entry on Lexington and Concord has a brief description of the Battle, a timeline, links to events that led up to Lexington and Concord, and biographies of important people and groups such as Paul Revere, General Gage, and Minutemen. Standards 3.4.3, 3.4.6 and 5.6.1

Comments: Don't let the formal style of this site deter you. It has interesting and important information.

Resource Type: Secondary Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 357

Betsy Ross Home

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/index.html

Rating: 2, High!

Description: There is a history of Betsy Ross and the flag, activities to do, and flag trivia at this site by U.S. History.org. There is also a gallery of historical American flags. Standards 1.3.2, 2.5, 3.4.3 and 5.6.3

Resource Type: Mix of Text and Graphics.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 376

Brief History of the Oneida Indian Nation

http://www.oneida-nation.net/BRHISTORY.HTML

Rating: 2, High!

Description: Here is an oral history story from the Oneida Indians about how they were created, formed the Great Law of Peace and helped George Washington's starving troups at Valley Forge. Standard 5.3.2 and 5.6.1

Comments: This is tough for grade 5 but it can be broken into short sections for easier reading.

Resource Type: Literature/Story.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 443

Captain Nathan Hale (1755 - 1776)

http://www.ctssar.org/patriots/nathan_hale_2.htm

Rating: 2, High!

Description: Written by Mary Otner of the Connecitcut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, this biography of Nathan Hale shows the sacrifice he made when signing on to Washington army in the American Revolution. In 1776, Washington desperately needed to know the site of the upcoming British invasion of Manhattan Island. The best way to obtain this pivotal information was to send a spy behind enemy lines and Nathan Hale volunteered. Standard 5.6.1

Comments: The vocabulary level is a bit high for fifth grade.

Resource Type: Secondary Text.

Graphics content: Low.

Resource ID: 594

Dolley Madison Project

http://www.vcdh.virginia.edu/madison/index.html

Rating: 2, High!

Description: The life, letters, and leagcy of Dolley Payne Madison is digital museum of the important woman's life including a selection of drawings, maps, letters, essays and timelines. Learn about James and Dolley Madison's contributions to the founding a America. Standards 5.6.3 and 8.2.4

Comments: The life of Dolley Madison will put a human face of the standards dealing with the Constitutional and Early National Periods of American history.

Resource Type: Mix of Text and Graphics.

Graphics content: High.

Resource ID: 979