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Who was Paul Revere? This weeks issue of the ABC’s of American History will give you some clues about this famous American patriot named Paul Revere.

A hurry of hoofs in a village street,
A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark,
And beneath, from the pebbles, in passing, a spark
Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet;
That was all! And yet, through the gloom and the light,
The fate of a nation was riding that night;
And the spark struck out by that steed, in his flight,
Kindled the land into flame with its heat.

-from Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

He was a patriot, a silversmith, an industrialist, a lieutenant colonel, and a hero. Paul Revere played a key part in the American Revolution, but his story begins long before his famous midnight ride, which he made at the age of forty.

Paul Revere was the son of Apollos Revere, who was a child when his family immigrated to the colonies to escape persecution in France for their Huguenot beliefs. Apollos learned to be a silversmith and passed this knowledge, along with a thirst for freedom, on to his son Paul.

Paul excelled at his craft and wholeheartedly supported the colonies’ fight for freedom. He was part of the Boston Tea Party and engraved a depiction of the Boston Massacre on a copper plate. But it was the midnight ride he made along with William Dawes and Samuel Prescott that earned his name a lasting place in our memories. The warning he delivered ensured the Minutemen were ready to face the British soldiers on April 19, 1775, when the shot heard ‘round the world would begin a war and the birth of a free nation.

There are so many fun ways your family can learn about the American Revolution!

Here are some free resources I suggest:

A Spy for General Washington printable board game

Leaders of the American Revolution Bingo & Quiz Game Volume 1, American Leaders

Free printable copywork—Paul Revere’s Ride (excerpt)

Free printable board game—Paul Revere’s Ride

Free American Revolution notebooking pages

Free copywork from the “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Concord Battle Monument

Free Boston Tea Party Coloring Book

These Paul Revere graphics for older students make great notebook covers (especially if you use a sepia setting)

LIMITED TIME freebie for Something to Offer readers only—Leaders of the American Revolution Coloring Book (free through 5/15/15)

 

If you want to go even deeper in your study of Paul Revere and the American Revolution, these are two curriculum resources that I have found that are extremely helpful.

Heroes and Heroines of the Past American History by Amy Puetz. This is hands-down the most incredible American history curriculum I have ever seen. It teaches living history through stories, games, recipes, music, art, and more.

Revolutionary Ideas: The Story of the American Revolution by Homeschool Legacy is a 7-week unit study that starts with the events that led to the war and introduces families to the men behind the movement and the beliefs they fought to defend.

Bonnie Rose Hudson works as the Executive Editor of SchoolhouseTeachers.com, the curriculum site of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine®. Her heart’s desire is for every child to feel the love of God and know how special they are to Him. She would love for you to stop by her author’s blog WriteBonnieRose.com for resources to help teach your children about missions and the persecuted Church, free history and writing printables, and to discover how you can write for the homeschool market.

 

 
Another great installment of the ABC’s of American History series. Have you missed a few? Check out the entire series below: