Lesson Plan - History Makers: Alexander Hamilton

Learning Objectives

Students will read about the life, accomplishments, and lasting impact of U.S. history maker Alexander Hamilton.

Text Structure

Profile, Sequence

Content-Area Connections

Social Studies: U.S. History

Standards Correlations

CCSS: RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.5, RI.3.6, RI.3.7, RI.3.8, RI.3.10, L.3.4, SL.3.1

NCSS: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions

1. Preparing to Read

Slideshow: 5 Fast Facts About . . . Alexander Hamilton

Use the slideshow to build background knowledge on the life of Alexander Hamilton. Have students write or discuss the following question: Why does the slideshow say there’s a good reason Hamilton is on the $10 bill?

Preview Words to Know

Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

  • shrieks
  • immigrant
  • currency

2. Close-Reading Questions

1. In what ways did Alexander Hamilton’s writing help him? Hamilton’s descriptive writing impressed his neighbors when he was young. They collected money to send him to college in America. Later on, his writing in the Federalist Papers helped the U.S. Constitution get approved.

(RI.3.2 KEY DETAILS)


2. What was America like when Hamilton arrived as an immigrant? When Hamilton arrived, the 13 Colonies were still ruled by Great Britain. Hamilton and many others believed the Colonies should break free.

(RI.3.1 TEXT EVIDENCE)


3. What is the purpose of the sidebar “Danger at Every Turn”? The sidebar shows and tells about three big events in Hamilton’s life. It helps readers better understand the life of Hamilton.

(RI.3.5 TEXT FEATURES)

3. Skill Building

FEATURED SKILL: Synthesize Information

Use the Skill Builder “All About Hamilton” to have students use details from the article to complete a profile about Hamilton’s challenges and accomplishments.

(RI.3.1 TEXT EVIDENCE)

Text-to-Speech