"Paul Revere's Ride" by Longfellow
Lesson plans and teaching resources
Midnight Ride of Paul RevereFact, Fiction, and Artistic License
Students discuss and analyze how artist Grant Wood manipulated viewpoint, composition, and scale in his painting "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" to present an idealized view of history. They analyze different perspectives about this event, using primary sources such as Revere's own account of his famous ride. They also synthesize the primary and secondary source works to develop an overall sense of the events. Lesson includes access to Wood's painting and Longfellow's poem; requires Adobe Reader.
The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere: Literature v. History
Over the course of three lessons the students will compare and contrast two different versions of one of the most iconic events in American history: the midnight ride of Paul Revere. The comparison will be made between the poem "Paul Reveres Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and a description of the event written by Paul Revere himself. Students will use textual evidence from these two sources to draw their conclusions and write an argumentative essay.
"Paul Revere's Ride"
How might students use storyboards to demonstrate and to extend their learning? Check the resources here. Includes work with figurative language, vocabulary, tone, more.
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"Paul Revere's Ride"
Background information; pre-reading, during-reading, and post-reading questions; analysis; vocabulary; literary elements; grammar; other learning activities; writing; and assessments. This file approaches the poem 3 different ways, and several useful resources are at the very end. 54 pages; Adobe Reader required. Consider downloading the file and printing only those pages you will use.
"Paul Revere's Ride"
Text of the poem.
Why Do We Remember Revere? Paul Revere's Ride in History and Literature
Students examine the historical facts of Paul Revere's ride and compare them with Longfellow's account. They form hypotheses about why Americans consider Revere's ride so important. This lesson is designed for grades 6-8.
The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
Students note details as they read. Includes text-dependent questions, vocabulary words, a writing task, and additional learning activities. Designed for 5th grade; word processor required for access.
"Paul Revere's Ride" vocabulary
29 words presented in context and with definitions. Click on a word for pronunciation, synonyms, more.
Writing Poetry like Pros
This extensive set of lessons includes an activity using Longfellow's "Paul Revere's Ride".