Valley Forge | Dynamic History Interactive U.S. History | Grades 6–8

The Continental Army occupied Valley Forge from December 1777 to June 1778, close to British-held Philadelphia. Food shortages, poor supply systems, illness, crowded huts, and changing military organization shaped the camp. This investigation helps students compare the popular image of barefoot soldiers in snow with evidence from the period.

Students explore why Washington chose the camp, who lived and worked there, how farms and supply offices fit into the shortages, why disease caused so much loss, and how training and reorganization helped the army prepare for later fighting. They distinguish the hardships of winter from the camp’s full six-month history.

What students investigate

• Evaluate Valley Forge’s location relative to Philadelphia and recent battles.
• Examine the soldiers, families, laborers, and camp roles beyond a single winter stereotype.
• Explain why food and clothing were scarce despite nearby farms.
• Investigate sickness, sanitation, and hospital sites in the wider region.
• Assess the work of von Steuben and other officers in training and organization.
• Compare the army’s condition at arrival and departure in June 1778.
• Use contemporary records to test familiar images of Valley Forge.

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

• Evaluating historical myths
• Analyzing supply and disease
• Evidence comparison
• 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.