Table of
Contents

All the events prior to and during the American Revolutionary War in central New York are interrelated, and these had profound effects on the people who lived there. In these activities, students will compare their lives in their community to what it would be like to live in central New York during this time. Student will also explore what it was like to be at the Battle of Oriskany.

Activity 1: In the Grip of Fear
Ask the students to produce a written, pictorial or video report describing a controversial issue which has divided their community. Point out that community can be interpreted in many ways - in the school, local/state/federal governments, sports teams, parent groups, and more. The students will have to use investigative research and questioning strategies to find the answers. Have the students develop a chart like the one used in Reading 1. Ask them to take into account the following questions:
1. Is there only one central issue that is causing the controversy, or are there several issues?
2. What was the history of the community before the controversy? Are there events in the past which affect the issue(s) today?
3. Who are the key leaders on both sides of the issue? Why have they taken the stand they have?
4. What is the general make up of the followers of these leaders? Where are they from? What part of the community do they live it? What is their social, political and economic standing? What are their race, ethnicity, and sex? What types of jobs do they have? Where do they stand on the issue and why?
After the students have completed this, have them compare the Mohawk Valley Civil War to another national or international civil war. Ask the same questions as those listed above.

Activity 2: The Lost Battlefield
The Oriskany Battlefield has been lost over time. The land is still there, however the old Military Road is gone, the virgin woodland forest has been clear cut and exact placements of everyone on the battlefield can not be reproduced. Except for letter and journal entries, which sometimes conflict with one another, written shortly after the battle or quotes taken long after the battle there is little to tell us exactly where and how the battle was fought. There is also little physical evidence to determine to support any one story. Have the students use the readings and their own personal research to complete the following activity:
1. Using the enclosed topographical map,
draw a map of the battlefield, and draw sketches or paint pictures depicting the fight. Have the students find the ravine and the high ground.
2. Reenact the battle and video it while it is taking place.
3. Include with these activities narratives, written or oral, about what is taking place in the production.

Activity 3: Where Do I Stand?
The students will role play in this activity. The students will choose to become one of the people at the Battle of Oriskany and produce a report about their experiences.
1. The students will have to not only decide who they will be, but also state why they chose that person. They will have to determine from the evidence presented and researched what they are supporting and what they are not.
2. What are they feeling before the battle? Are they worried or anxious about themselves and their families? What do they see in their future? What are their hopes and dreams or are the pessimistic? Are they angry, sad, or happy?
3. The students will then place themselves at the battle as the person they chose. What do they see, hear, smell and feel? Who do they see? Where are they on the battlefield and what are they doing? Are they in the ravine or on the hill top?
4. What are they feeling after the battle itself? Are they worried or anxiously about their families? What do they see in their future? What are their hopes and dreams, or are they still pessimistic? Are they angry, sad, or happy?