On day two of the lesson, we examined primary source accounts of the events on Lexington Green on April 19, 1775.  We studied Captain John Parker's account together.  As a class we created a list of events that occurred as John Parker described them.  We then discussed what reasons he may have had to say what he said.  


Students then broke up into three round robin groups to examine other account.  Students were given time at each account to list the events described.  They were then asked to discuss the possible reasons that the person giving the account   may have had to say what they did.  The students did a really nice job doing this.  I was impressed at how insightful some of their comments were.  


One group decided that Lt. John Barker was not telling the truth because he said that there were 200-300 colonists on the Common, when we had read that their were only 77 colonists there.  They decided that if he was exaggerating that, then it was likely that he was not telling the truth when it came to more important aspects, like who fired first.


On day three, students were asked to draw what they believe happened on Lexington Green.  They were told that they must give the reasons for their choice, using the first hand accounts as evidence.  Students began a sketch.  


Halfway through the class, we paused and I showed students the Amos Doolittle plate that shows the Battle on Lexington Green. We discussed what point of view the print shows.  I did this halfway through because I wanted to let students form their own opinion before seeing the print.  Students then completed their own drawings and wrote a short statement telling what their drawing shows and why they made their choice.  The drawings and statements were put on the animoto video shown above.