Lexington and Concord | Dynamic History Interactive U.S. History | Grades 6–8

On April 19, 1775, British regulars marched toward Concord, Massachusetts, to destroy military supplies. An alarm network warned nearby towns, fighting began at Lexington and Concord, and militia attacks continued during the British return to Boston. Students follow this one day across the map and examine which details remain disputed.

The investigation uses General Gage’s orders, accounts of Paul Revere and other alarm riders, competing descriptions of Lexington Green, the North Bridge fighting, and the route back to Boston. It closes by tracking how reports of the battles traveled and how an armed encounter became the beginning of a wider war.

What students investigate

• Examine General Gage’s orders and the objective of the Concord expedition.
• Trace the warning system beyond the familiar story of one rider.
• Compare historical accounts of the first shots on Lexington Green.
• Explain how the search for arms led to fighting at Concord’s North Bridge.
• Use route geography to analyze attacks during the return to Boston.
• Follow news of the fighting toward Watertown, Philadelphia, and London.
• Distinguish the uncertainty about a first shot from the causes of the larger war.

What’s included

• Two-day, six-stop guided interactive Dynamic History investigation
• Teacher Guide and Answer Key with Day 1 and Day 2 pacing
• Standard and Accessible reading levels inside the interactive module
• Editable digital student worksheet generated in Google Slides
• Printable student worksheet generated in Google Slides
• Self-graded Google Forms quiz and multiple-choice print quiz
• Assessment bank: 5 vocabulary terms, 4 two-part short-answer questions, 2 two-part challenge questions, and 15 multiple-choice questions
• START HERE PDF with Google Classroom copy instructions and module access steps

Flexible classroom use

• Teach across two 45–50-minute class periods, with optional extension time
• Project the maps and evidence for whole-class discussion or assign on student devices
• Choose Standard or Accessible text to support mixed reading levels
• Use the digital worksheet for typing or the printable worksheet for paper responses
• Assign written questions for review or a separate assessment period

Skills addressed

• Using routes and maps
• Comparing firsthand accounts
• Sequencing historical events
• Using historical maps and primary-source evidence
• Explaining a historical conclusion with relevant evidence

Standards and historical literacy

Designed for grades 6–8 U.S. History and the historical-thinking practices used in the CCSS History/Social Studies literacy standards, including analysis of sources, chronology, evidence, and geographic information. Consult the accompanying Teacher Guide for the module-specific instructional questions and alignment notes.

Digital and print student outputs

After downloading START HERE, teachers open the shared Google Classroom folder, make their own copies of the editable and printable student files, and use the supplied quiz materials. The interactive map investigation provides Standard and Accessible reading options; the Teacher Guide provides questions, expected answers, and suggested two-day pacing.

Grades: 6–8   Subject: U.S. History / American Revolution   Format: Interactive digital investigation with editable and printable classroom resources.