Cold, desperate, and broken; the men of General Washington's army suffered severe conditions at their winter camp of Valley Forge during 1777 and 1778. Students will read primary and secondary sources focusing on the experiences of Washington and his army while they endured the freezing cold, lack of adequate supplies, and rampant diseases which ravaged the camp and its occupants. Repeated defeats on the battlefield at the hands of the impressive British army also brought doubt to the soldiers' convictions about the worth of the conflict they had been so valiantly fighting. In this 3 week module, students will be asked to analyze why soldiers decided to stay at Valley Forge despite the challenges they faced. Students will write a research paper in which they use information from primary and secondary sources to explain their conclusion.
Students have studied close reading habits and note taking and have been studying writing informational pieces. Students have learned about key figures in the American Revolution and the battles leading up to Valley Forge.
