Teacher Resources
Edenton
# Edenton, North Carolina *[needs_review — scaffold only]* On October 25, 1774, fifty-one women of Edenton signed a petition pledging to boycott British tea and cloth in support of the colonial resistance — one of the earliest documented examples of organized political action by American women. The Edenton Tea Party predates Lexington by six months. British newspapers mocked the action; the signatories are now recognized as early examples of women's political engagement in colonial America. The Penelope Barker House, home of one organizer, survives in Edenton.
Grade Range
5-12 (adaptable)
Duration
2-3 class periods
Included
4 Resources
What's Included
Everything
You Need
- Full lesson plan (2-3 class periods)
- Quiz with answer key (5 questions)
- Differentiation strategies (struggling / advanced / ELL)
- 3 printable handouts
Lesson Overview
# Edenton, North Carolina *[needs_review — scaffold only]* On October 25, 1774, fifty-one women of Edenton signed a petition pledging to boycott British tea and cloth in support of the colonial resistance — one of the earliest documented examples of organized political action by American women. The Edenton Tea Party predates Lexington by six months. British newspapers mocked the action; the signatories are now recognized as early examples of women's political engagement in colonial America. The Penelope Barker House, home of one organizer, survives in Edenton.
Essential Questions
- Why did events in Edenton matter to the Revolution?
- How do different sources tell different stories about the same events?
- Whose voices are missing from the historical record?
Lesson Plan
In the Classroom
Learning Objectives
- 1Students will explain the significance of Edenton in the American Revolution
- 2Students will analyze primary sources from the Revolutionary period
- 3Students will compare perspectives of different historical actors
- 4Students will connect local history to broader Revolutionary themes
Warm-Up · 5-10 minutes
Show an image or map of Edenton today. Ask: "What do you know about this place? What questions do you have about its history?"
Direct Instruction · 15-20 minutes
· Introduction to Edenton's role in the Revolution
· Key events and their significance
Closure · 5-10 minutes
Exit ticket: "What surprised you most about this history? What questions remain?"
Differentiation Strategies
Struggling Learners
Provide sentence starters, pre-highlighted sources, peer support
Advanced Learners
Additional primary sources, independent research extension, comparative essay
ELL Support
Visual supports, bilingual glossary, partner work, simplified source excerpts
Assessment
Edenton in the American Revolution
Answer the following questions based on our study of Revolutionary history.
What makes Edenton significant in Revolutionary history?
multiple choice
Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.
true false
Name one event that occurred in Edenton during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.
short answer
+ 2 more questions in the full packet
Ready to Print?
The full teacher packet includes cover page, lesson plan, all primary source worksheets, quiz, answer key, and standards alignment — formatted for classroom printing.