The Sword, Tongue, and Pen of the American Revolution
Featured on PBS Books’ America250 Reading List
What’s Inside?
- A rhyming, illustrated story that covers the lives of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson before and during the Revolutionary War.
- Official maps showing the results of the war.
- An appendix of notable events and glossary.
- A summary of each man’s presidency, and how they filled the roles of “sword,” “tongue,” and “pen.”
- The beginning of the Declaration of Independence.
Who the book is for
Washington, Adams, and Jefferson is written for grades 4 to 6 (or lower with an adult). The presidential summaries after the story are for stronger readers, about grades 7 and 8.
Companion Lesson: The Sword, Tongue, and Pen
Personality Quiz
Students will…
- Compare Washington, Adams, and Jefferson using facts from the book.
- Think more deeply about each man’s actions and why they mattered.
- See which president they are most like based on their personality.
Who the lesson is for
Students in grades 4 to 6 can complete the assignment in one class period. The extension questions add the presidency pages and are better suited for grades 7 to 8. The lesson can be completed in the classroom or at home.
How it maps to school standards
Most schools will map this to Common Core English Language Arts (ELA) and the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards. State history lists vary.
ELA
- RI.4-6.1: answer from the book, not from memory
- RI.4-6.2: name each man’s main contribution
- RI.4-6.3: explain people, events, and ideas in the historical text
- RI.4-6.4: use glossary words in context
- W.4-6.1: opinion with reasons based on personality quiz
- W.4-6.9: write short answers supported by the book
- SL.4-6.1: talk with a partner
- RH.6-8.1–2 (grades 7–8): cite the text and find central ideas
Social Studies
- D2.Civ.8: liberty, rights, public service, and limits on power
- D2.His.14: cause and effect in the Revolution
- D2.His.16: a claim backed by the book
- D4.2: short explanations drawn from the text
- Inquiry: generate a remaining question
What’s Covered and What’s Not
Covers: The American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the idea of a republic, and the first three presidencies (from the book’s back pages).
Does not cover: The Constitution as a full document, the three branches of government, economics, or geography beyond a basic before and after border comparison.