The Patriot Viewing Guide & Worksheets (The American Revolution)

Add another interesting element to your American Revolution Unit with this “The Patriot” Movie Viewing Guide and Worksheet!

This movie can be used as an introduction or review for your American Revolution unit and the viewing guide is designed to help insure that students are paying attention and thinking about the information presented in the film.

This lesson includes a pre-screening activity with basic questions about the American Revolution that will require students to conduct a little bit of research.

The viewing guide is split into four sections to go along with the movie. Each of the four sections contains questions that are designed to make students think about the people and ideas at play in the film as well as to ensure that students are paying attention to the plot.

There is also a post-screening activity sheet that asks specific questions about the content in the film and asks students to compare the movie to actual historical events. These worksheets are also included in Google Form format to be submitted digitally.

How the Lesson Works:
★ The Pre-Screening Worksheet is designed to serve as an introduction or review of the American Revolution.
★ The Viewing Guide is split into four sections with short answer, true/false, and multiple choice questions from the movie.
★ The Post-Screening Worksheet is designed to be completed after students have viewed the movie in its entirety.

Movie Synopsis:
It is 1776 in colonial South Carolina. Benjamin Martin, a French-Indian war hero who is haunted by his past, now wants nothing more than to live peacefully on his small plantation, and wants no part of a war with the most powerful nation in the world, Great Britain. Meanwhile, his two eldest sons, Gabriel and Thomas, can’t wait to enlist in the newly formed “Continental Army.” When South Carolina decides to join the rebellion against England, Gabriel immediately signs up to fight…without his father’s permission. But when Colonel William Tavington, British dragoon, infamous for his brutal tactics, comes and burns the Martin Plantation to the ground, tragedy strikes. Benjamin quickly finds himself torn between protecting his family, and seeking revenge along with being a part of the birth of a new, young, and ambitious nation.

Note: Please be aware of that there are instances of language, violent battle sequences, and gore in this film. Please screen the movie before showing it to your students.

Required Materials:
★ The Patriot (2000) DVD or Streaming Capabilities