Last updated: June 20, 2024
Lesson Plan
Rifles vs Muskets in the Revolutionary War
Living historian fires a musket.
NPS Photo.
- Grade Level:
- High School: Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
- Subject:
- Math
- Lesson Duration:
- 30 Minutes
- Common Core Standards:
- F.IF.7.c, F.IF.9
- Thinking Skills:
- Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.
Essential Question
What are the characteristics of the weapons used in the revolutionary war?
Objective
Be able to compare and contrast the two shoulder fired weapons of the revolution. Rifles and muskets have many strengths and weakness. Morgan was successful in utilizing these characteristics in order to have victory at Cowpens. Both weapons have a parabolic arc to represent their firing range. Students use their knowledge of quadratics to compare each weapon.
Preparation
Graphing Calculator
Materials
This is the main worksheet that gives the background of the weapons as well as gives a space to graph their motion. Additional questions help guide students to decide on what weapon they will wield.
Download Rifles vs Muskets graphing exploration
Procedure
Step one: Read the description of the two weapons
Step two: Give students an opportunity to graph the functions and answer questions
Step three: Pair up students so they can share their opinion of which weapon they will wield.
Step four: Bring the group together to make a master pro/con list. Explore how Morgan utilized the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon.