Communicating Like Revolutionary Spies

GeoHistory
GeoLiteracy
GeoSTEM
ELL
Lesson Plan Content
Description: 
During the Revolutionary War, communication was limited to written correspondence that needed to be physically carried from point A to point B. Since hand-written messages were easy to intercept, spies developed a technique for invisible messages. In addition, messengers would need to be well versed in the physical geography of the region in order to deliver the secret messages in a timely manner. In this lesson, students learn how to use maps to measure the distance and time between points in Colonial America. They also learn how science enabled spies to create a chemical reaction used to write invisible messages. This lesson has adaptations for diverse learners (ELLs).
Author: 
Katherine Shafer
Grade Range: 
8
Duration: 
2 class periods
Lesson Materials
Teacher Instructions: 
application/pdf iconTeacher Instructions
Student Materials: 
application/pdf iconStudent Worksheets, Assessments, and Answer Keys
application/pdf iconRoutes of Revolutionary Spy Letters map (b/w) for printing
application/pdf iconRoutes of Revolutionary Spy Letters map (color) for projecting with links to primary sources
Materials to Assist Teachers and English Language Learners: 
application/pdf iconVocabulary Cards
application/pdf iconVocabulary Test
Standards
National Geography Standards: 
1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information
17: How to apply geography to interpret the past