French and Indian War

Objective

By the end of this 60-minute lesson, 7th grade students will be able to:

• Explain how the French and Indian War started and describe key events that contributed to its outbreak.
• Analyze the connection between the French and Indian War and the causes of the American Revolutionary War.
• Develop evidence-based arguments using primary and secondary sources.

Standards Alignment

Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Grade 6-8:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.9: Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.

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Materials Needed

• Map of North America during 1750s
• Printed excerpts from primary sources (excerpts of letters, treaties, colonial newspaper articles)
• Secondary source summary on the French and Indian War
• Whiteboard or smartboard for notes and timelines
• Student notebooks/journals

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Hook and Introduction (10 minutes)

• Activity: Map Exploration and Think-Pair-Share
  • Display a map showing British, French, and Native American territories in North America around 1750.
  • Ask students to identify which groups controlled which lands.
  • Prompt: “Why do you think these powers might be interested in the same lands? What kinds of conflicts might this cause?”
  • Students write 2-3 sentences individually, then share with a partner.
• Purpose: Engages curiosity and activates prior knowledge about colonial America.

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2. Direct Instruction (15 minutes)

• Discuss key causes of the French and Indian War:
  • Conflicting territorial claims between British and French.
  • Native American alliances with both sides and their own interests.
  • Economic interests (fur trade and control of river systems).
• Present a concise timeline of events leading up to the war (e.g., Ohio Valley conflicts, Fort Duquesne skirmishes).
• Display excerpts from primary sources (e.g., a British colonial letter and a French official’s report) to highlight different perspectives.
• Prompt students to note differences in viewpoint, using guided questions on a worksheet.

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3. Guided Practice / Source Analysis (15 minutes)

• In small groups of 3-4, students analyze the provided primary and secondary sources.
• Each group answers:
  • What claims does each source make about why the conflict started?
  • How might these perspectives explain the tensions between British colonists and the French?
  • What role did Native Americans play according to each source?
• Groups then present their analysis in 2-3 minutes, focusing on evidence.

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4. Connecting to the Revolutionary War (10 minutes)

• Teacher-facilitated discussion on how the French and Indian War affected British-colonial relations:
  • War expenses led Britain to tax colonies (e.g., Stamp Act).
  • British military presence increased in colonies and created resentment.
  • Colonists began to see themselves as separate from Britain.
• Students then complete a short journal entry answering:
  “How did the French and Indian War make the Revolutionary War more likely?”

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5. Closure and Assessment (10 minutes)

• Exit Ticket Prompt (written):
  Provide two reasons why the French and Indian War began and explain one way it contributed to the American Revolutionary War.
• Review and collect exit tickets to assess understanding.
• Summarize lesson key points verbally, emphasizing cause-effect relationships.

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Extensions and Differentiation

• Extension: For advanced learners, assign a mini-research project on a specific Native American tribe’s role during the war.
• Support: For students who need help, provide graphic organizers summarizing causes and effects. Use paired reading of primary sources.
• Technology Integration: Use a digital timeline tool if classroom devices are available, allowing students to plot key events interactively.

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Reflection for Teachers

• Did students cite evidence from sources during analysis?
• Were they able to distinguish between perspectives of different groups involved?
• How well did the journal prompts deepen the understanding about cause and effect?
• Adjust future lessons to include more visual aids or collaborative activities based on student engagement.

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This highly interactive lesson plan not only aligns with Common Core standards but leverages critical thinking and primary source analysis to deepen students’ understanding of a pivotal moment in American history.