French and Indian War Unit Study
My 6th grader just finished a mini French and Indian War unit study that was a great pit stop in our regular history studies.
I just love the slow and steady pace we’re taking to go through the Story of the World curriculum this time around. I used to follow pretty strict 4-year cycles in history, but with this 3rd child of mine, I’m confident that moving at a slower pace and savoring certain events is as good a way to learn as any.
As we read through the Story of the World and something strikes our fancy, we take some time to dig deeper. Sometimes through extra reading or a documentary. Other times through mini unit studies.
The mini unit studies give Eli a chance to practice important project-based learning skills and urge him into some independent learning, too.
Get a printable copy of the unit study below.
French and Indian War Unit Study
Pick and choose what works for your needs – or let your child(ren) pick and choose. You could easily spend a few weeks with the ideas below.
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French and Indian War Booklist
You know I love books! Here’s a list of some of the best books I was able to find at the library. I’d love for you to share in the comments if you know of others to add.
Since our study only lasted a week, Eli only read a few of the books from this list himself and we listened to Calico Captive together on audio.
The Matchlock Gun by Walter Edmonds
Calico Captive by Elizabeth Spear George
The French and Indian War by Carl R. Green
The French and Indian War by Jeremy Thornton
The Trailblazing Life of Daniel Boone by Cheryl Harness
Struggle for a Continent by Betsy Maestro
Algonquin by Sarah Tieck
From Colonies to Country by Joy Hakim
The Winter People by Josheph Bruchac (audiobook)
With Wolfe in Canada by G.A. Henty (audiobook)
French and Indian War Vocabulary
Our vocabulary lessons are usually very casual:
- I say a vocabulary word and Eli attempts to spell it following all the spelling rules we learned through the Logic of English Essentials curriculum.
- I ask him what he thinks the word means. If he doesn’t know, I use it in a sentence or remind him of a Latin or Greek root we learned during morning time. If he still doesn’t know, he has to look it up in a dictionary (or on the internet) and then use it in his own sentence.
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR VOCABULARY
territory
colony
settler
continent
skirmish
scouting party
surrender
retreat
wilderness
terrain
rangers
snowshoes
expedition
bombard
dominant
French and Indian War Activities
In our homeschool, we often use project-based learning to promote independence in decision making and learning. Given a list of learning possibilities (like the list below), I allow Eli to pick and choose project ideas that interest him.
The number of projects I require depends on how long I’d like the unit study to last and how much effort the individual projects will require.
In this instance, he had to choose only three activities. That doesn’t seem like many, but some of them were quite detailed.
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR ACTIVITIES
Locate and label France, Britain, and North America on a map. In North America, shade in the land claimed by France in green, the land claimed by Britain in yellow, and the land they both thought they owned in pink. (Geography, History)
After Britain and France went to war in Europe, the North American settlers started their own war over land claims in 1754. Make a timeline for the French and Indian War, adding to it as you learn new things throughout the study. (History, Art)
The first real battle of the French and Indian War was at Fort Necessity, PA. Label this on a map. Research what happened there and create a graphic to use as you explain the battle to your family. (Geography, History, Language Arts)
Research to learn what role George Washington played in the French and Indian War. Create a monologue as if you are George Washington telling about your part in the war. (Language Arts, History)
Research to learn about the battle at Fort Duquesne. Use toy soldiers (or other objects of your choice) to reenact the battle as you explain it to your family. (Language Arts, History)
The French were on very good terms with Algonquian-speaking tribes and had much respect for them – particularly the Huron, Ottawa, and Ojibwa tribes. Choose one tribe to research. Create a file folder report to share what you learn. (Language Arts, History)
Research to learn about the fur trade between the French and their Native American allies. Make a chart of the animal furs traded and the methods used to obtain the furs. Explain what you learn to your family. (Language Arts, Art, History)
How do cannons work? Draw a cannon and label its parts to use during an oral presentation. (Language Arts, History, Science, Art)
In 1755, the British drove 6,500 French supporters in Acadia, Nova Scotia, out of their homes and burned their villages. Write a fictional story about this event using real facts. (LanguageArts, History)
Locate and label Fort Duquesne; Acadia, Nova Scotia, Canada; Fort Crown Point (Lake Champlain, NY); and Lake George on a map. Learn a current day fact about each to write on the back of your map. (Geography, History, Language Arts)
Learn about the wilderness of the American Frontier. What animals were indigenous to it? What sorts of vegetation were common? Make a diorama. (History, Science, Art)
Research Robert Rogers role in the French and Indian War. Make a video of yourself telling what you learn. (Language Arts, History, Technology)
What are snowshoes? How can they enable you to walk on top of the snow? Draw a picture to use as you tell your family how they function. (Language Arts, Science)
Read about Lord Abercromby and the attack on Fort Ticonderoga. Locate it on a map. Make a salt dough map showing the positions of Abercromby’s men as they attacked Fort Ticonderoga and where the French stood to defend the fort. Reenact this scene using toy soldiers (or other objects.) (History, Geography, Art, Math, Science)
The attack on Louisbourg was the battle when the British began to win the war. Find out what happened. Locate and label Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Canada and the Atlantic Ocean on a map. Use the map to help you explain the battle to your family. (Language Arts, History, Geography)
Throughout the war, Indians served as scouts for both France and Britain. What is a scout and what sorts of skills must they possess? Define a scout and make a list of their skills. (History, Language Arts, Critical Thinking)
In the Battle of Quebec, British General Wolfe and his men arrived on more than 150 ships. Research to determine how many soldiers may have traveled per ship. How many soldiers would that likely be in all? (Language Arts, Math)
Research and make a timeline of the events of the Battle of Quebec. (Language Arts, History)
Read through the Treaty of Paris. Explain to your family what the Treaty of Paris is and some of what it contained. (Language Arts, History)
Printable French and Indian War Unit Study
For your convenience, I’ve created a quick-reference to all the books, vocabulary, and activity ideas from this post! Grab the printable French and Indian War unit study by entering your email address below.
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