Title
by Cheryl A. Bastian
Includes: Activities, Helpful Links and Discussion Questions
Elementary


Courageous Leader
Based on The Picture Book of Paul Revere by David A. Adler
Book of A Picture Book of Paul Revere
David A. Adler’s The Picture Book of Paul Revere (Holiday House, 1995) is one of over thirty books in his series of history-changing leaders. This particular story tells of Paul Revere’s patriotic influence on the budding country. Born in 1735 in a small house in Boston, Paul grew up in the bustling city learning several trades, including silver and copper smithing, which he eventually used to provide for his family.

Paul’s service to our country began when he fought in the French and Indian War. After the war, Paul became one of the first members of the Sons of Liberty, voicing his dissatisfaction with paying taxes to England, and eventually played an integral role in the Boston Tea Party. Paul Revere is also considered one of the first American spies, making his famous midnight ride to warn American soldiers that the British were heading to Lexington. His multi-faceted efforts toward gaining independence from British rule make Paul one of the most notable leaders of the Revolutionary era.

Define
Define and discuss the new words encountered in the reading: arithmetic, border, colonel, colonists, committee, countrymen, courted, disguised, engraved, lieutenant, manners, minister, minuteman, parliament, patriot, regiment, representatives, society, steeple, survive, tax, treaty, and wealthy. Middle to late elementary learners can use these new words to write five sentences about this part of America’s history. Younger learners can choose two sentences from the text to use for copywork.
Learn
Paul grew up in Massachusetts, one of the thirteen colonies ruled by Great Britain. The colonists believed they were being treated unfairly when the king placed taxes on the goods they were buying. Hence, they voiced their disagreement and as a result, the king felt threatened. He became angry, sending soldiers to Boston to keep the colonists from rebelling. The British eventually advanced toward Lexington and then Concord.

Find a map of the thirteen colonies online. Print the map and label the colonies: Virginia, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Say the colonies while writing the names or pointing to the words. Notice the names of states are proper nouns. Proper nouns are capitalized.

Create
Make a timeline of Paul Revere’s life, beginning with his birth and ending with his death. Ideas include creating and illustrating a paper strip timeline with cut-out pictures found online, designing a timeline in a Word document, or putting together a PowerPoint presentation.
1735 – Born in Boston

1748 – Begins work in his father’s shop

1756 – Joins the Massachusetts regiment

1757 – Marries Sara Orne

1765 – British Parliament passes the Stamp Act, taxing newspapers and print items

1767 – British Parliament passes the Townshend Acts, taxing glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea

1770 – Boston Massacre occurs on King Street and Paul creates a famous engraving of the event

1773 – Participates in the Boston Tea Party

1775 – Makes his famous ride to warn Americans of the British coming to attack

1776 – Second Continental Congress takes place in Philadelphia, approving the Declaration of Independence

1783 – Treaty of Paris signed

1818 – Dies on May 10, 1818

“His multi-faceted efforts toward gaining independence from British rule make Paul one of the most notable leaders of the Revolutionary era.”
Make
In Paul Revere’s Ride, lanterns lit the way for night travelers and warned the citizens of impending danger. Tin lanterns were crafted by tinsmiths.

Make a tin lantern. Wash an empty tin can. Fill with water and freeze. Once frozen solid, place the can on a folded towel and lay atop a hard surface. This will keep the can from rolling while hammering. Carefully use a hammer and nail to punch holes in the can. Refreeze as needed. When the design is complete, thaw and empty. Add a wire handle. A battery-operated votive will light the lantern.

Discuss
After his father died when he was nineteen, Paul began to support his mother and siblings by running his father’s silversmithing business. Later in his life, Paul married and had many children. He knew he would have to learn additional crafts and trades to earn the money his family needed. Discuss the qualities of a leader and how Paul exemplified these traits.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s ballad, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, has been recited for generations. Written decades after the historic ride, this piece of writing is considered narrative fiction, meaning it is based on a historic event but not all the details penned in the poem occurred as they actually happened.

Primary source documents, first-hand testimonies, or personal writings composed at the time and place of an event, are generally considered the most accurate sources. Discuss reliable sources and the importance of first-hand accounts. Talk about fact and opinion.

Sign of Lexington
Make
In Paul Revere’s Ride, lanterns lit the way for night travelers and warned the citizens of impending danger. Tin lanterns were crafted by tinsmiths.

Make a tin lantern. Wash an empty tin can. Fill with water and freeze. Once frozen solid, place the can on a folded towel and lay atop a hard surface. This will keep the can from rolling while hammering. Carefully use a hammer and nail to punch holes in the can. Refreeze as needed. When the design is complete, thaw and empty. Add a wire handle. A battery-operated votive will light the lantern.

Discuss
After his father died when he was nineteen, Paul began to support his mother and siblings by running his father’s silversmithing business. Later in his life, Paul married and had many children. He knew he would have to learn additional crafts and trades to earn the money his family needed. Discuss the qualities of a leader and how Paul exemplified these traits.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s ballad, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, has been recited for generations. Written decades after the historic ride, this piece of writing is considered narrative fiction, meaning it is based on a historic event but not all the details penned in the poem occurred as they actually happened.

Primary source documents, first-hand testimonies, or personal writings composed at the time and place of an event, are generally considered the most accurate sources. Discuss reliable sources and the importance of first-hand accounts. Talk about fact and opinion.

Research the events that took place on April 18, 1775. Read Paul Revere’s Ride illustrated by Ted Rand (Puffin Books, 1996). Compare the details in the poem with what was learned while researching. Click here to learn the Paul Revere House’s account.

David Adler’s books provide elementary learners with detailed biographies about the leaders who helped form the foundation of our nation. If your learner begins to ask questions about other influential men and women of the time, consider A Picture Book of George Washington (1989; reprinted Holiday House, 2018), A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin (1990; reprinted Holiday House, 2018), or A Picture Book of John and Abigail Adams (Holiday House, 2010). This series of picture books integrates text and illustration to present children with important details of our nation’s history and founding leaders.