Grade 7: Dialogues on Colonial America

Historians studying the English colonies in North America and the path to war and independence from Britain paired up to present a “poem for two voices.” These poems are written and performed as a dialogue in which two people share their individual perspectives on events while either agreeing or disagreeing with each other.
Seventh graders got creative with their presentations as they stepped into the shoes and minds of 18th century colonials and hashed out the necessity of the American Revolution, said teacher Emma Simmons.
 
“If our students went back in time and asked a Patriot, Loyalist, British citizen or King George himself his thoughts on the Boston Tea Party, they would each have a different narrative about that event and others in the decades leading up to 1776."
 
The Opposites Argument: Samuel Adams vs King George III
By Coco and Ilsa
 
By royal decree, I , the King will
Control the colonies
 
By patrolling the streets and taxing us
Until our tea sinks 
What do you mean? The taxes make 
our pockets clink
That’s just the problem, we want to be free
of this tyranny 
 
The Stamp act 
 
Is an annoyance to all, 
As we simply can’t buy paper
Without a big brawl. 
You have taxed us on all our fine paper,
Now were shaking with anger   
'Tis a heroic declaration that makes
The Patriots scream 
from across the sea
 “No taxation without representation” 
 
Is our motto for freedom 
Just let us run our country 
We will leave alone your kingdom
  Why the frustration,
You're paying for troops that will
Protect your wee nation
 
You don’t have the right 
We will push back with all of our might 
 
The Boston Massacre was a mere mistake
 
as the colonists made my 
soldiers alarmed 
 
But my people were harmed  
Don’t cover it up with your royal charm 
 
We both know it was wrong 
It’s not a mystery 
But the damages were something of misery 
 
The colonists were acting out of sorts, 
 
And we both heard a cry of fire
 
This all happened because 
we were angry
 
At what Sam
I just don't understand
Why people are mad,
I’m protecting the colonies,
Don't be such a drag
 
The Boston Tea Party 
 
I wanted my company to thrive off of colonies,
So I gave them tea for practically no money,
And what did they do in return?
They dumped in the sea,
Trying to make us learn
 
It just isn’t fair, 
You are doing this to protect your own heir 
The businesses from our side of the ocean 
Are shutting down from the commotion
 
 I knew I was right
I just wanted my tea companies to thrive 
 
Why the fuss, I was helping you all 
Making tea cheaper
Without me,
your economy would fall
For your mission did not succeed, 
All of the tea companies here in the colonies 
Plunged under your decree 
 
You colonists need order
So my army will border
And control your towns
As well as making you clean your tea mounds
Therefore I have passed  
 
The Intolerable Acts
 
When will the oppression end
We don’t need more soldiers to enforce the laws
We don’t want to pay for the lost tea
We don’t get fair representation from trials in England 
We don’t need British control
 
Well I am the king,
And you have to listen to me.
So stop the complaining
Or else there will be maiming
 
We just need more power 
So let's start a war 
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Graland Country Day School

Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.