Hamilton (Revolutionary War) Breakout EDU

Teacher Directions

1. Hand out student graphic organizer and then read intro to students:
a. The Declaration of Independence attacked the Crown and Parliament for its
abuses against the American colonies. The conflict may have its beginnings in
taxation without representation, but taxes were not the only issue. The real
issue was that the colonists had always governed themselves. Declaring
independence is one thing. Winning it is another issue all together. Few people
in Europe (and many colonists) thought that the American rebels had much of a
chance to win. What chance did a handful of colonial militia farmers have against
the largest, most experience army in the world?

In 1775, it still wasnt clear to most colonists what the heck was going on up in
Massachusetts. The Battle of Lexington could have been the first shots of the
Revolutionary War or it could just as easily have been a skirmish between the
British Army and a handful of rebel hotheads. Alexander Hamilton was not
throwing away his shot to make a difference after moving to New York and
trying to find something to be a part of. It was this event that inspired Alexander
Hamilton to join the fight as a patriot in the Revolutionary War. On March 17,
1776 Hamilton was commissioned as a Captain of the Provisional Company of
the New York Artillery. Parts of Hamilton, the musical, will take you on a journey
to help discover the clues to unlock your boxes and determine what comes next
for the colonies.

You may use hint cards twice throughout this activity. For your first clue,
General George Washington can help. He will always point you in the right
direction.

2. Have Washington Poster/Picture pointing towards Task/Clue #1 (teacher computer

with Youll be Back video clip). Have copies of the lyrics for students to read along.

3. After completing clue #1 students continue to find the other clues to solve the lock
codes and find the keys to unlock all of the locks on the small and big boxes.

4. place some kind of reward in the final box (like candy or homework passes)

See additional pages for GW Picture Answer key

**QR Codes, Lyrics, and Blank Student Graphic Organizer are separate from this doc**
Washington Picture
 Student Graphic Organizer Answer Key

Number Task Questions Clue Answer

1. The Answer to this task is in your What do the colonists throw into the 3 digit lock code: 3-9-4
INTRO instructions. Go Locate sea?
this 1st. Tea (3 letters)
Teacher Computer
What will King George III send to
remind the colonists of his love?
Battalion (9 Letters)

King George III will fight the war and

kill colonists to remind them of his?
Love (4 letters)

2. Use the previous code to open
the 3-digit lock to get into the
small box for clue #2
Using the map for Paul Reveres Ride, Right up left down left
it shows the route where they made
turns. Follow the Blue Route to
discover the code for the DIRECTIONS
lock

3. Find your 1st QR Code for the 4- How many German Soldiers did the 1500
digit lock British leave at Trenton?
1500

4. a. Search for your 2nd QR Code for Who do the Colonists finally Key hidden in atlases
question answer convince to be their ally? (on the France pages)
b. use that answer to find where France
the key is hidden **I had small French
flag printed out near my
Atlases

Final clue QR code #3 What do Hamilton and the new nation

Find a clue based off of the lyrics have in common? 5 letter word: YOUNG
5. of the song for the letter/word Both are young
lock