Last updated: November 2, 2018
Lesson Plan
The Musket and Rifle
- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts,Math,Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 60 Minutes
- State Standards:
- NATIONAL/STATE STANDARDS:
South Carolina: Social Studies: 3.5.1, 4.3.1, 8.25, 8.26, 8.62, 8.63 Science - Grade 3 - I-A; II-A, B, C; Grade 4 - I-A; II-B; Grade 6 - I-A; III-A; Grade 7 - I-A; II-D; III-A; Grade 8 - I-A; II-A Language Arts - Grade 8 - I-C, F - Thinking Skills:
- Remembering: Recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles. Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts.
Essential Question
What is the importance of the musket and rifle to the early settlers, and what is the difference between the two weapons?
Objective
The student will differentiate between the rifle and the musket.
The student wil identify the steps and movements to load and fire the weapons.
Background
People on the early Carolina frontier used the musket and rifle. The musket was usually longer than a rifle. A bayonet fitted on the muzzle of the musket. The musket was heavy enough to use as a club when a person ran out of ammunition, or did not have time to reload it.
The musket was 58 inches long, and it took a lot of effort to steady it and to fire it. The musket was accurate between 80 to 90 yards and could carry about 300 yards. The long rifle was about the same length. Inside the barrel were spiral grooves, whereas the inside of the musket was smooth. The rifle was more accurate with an effective range up to 300 yards. Powder was poured down the barrel from a powder horn. Then a linen patch with a lead ball inside was rammed down the barrel. A bayonet would not fit a rifle. Since the rifle weighed 7 to 8 pounds, it was not used as a club.
The loading and firing of muskets is a very detailed and complicated action requiring precise movement following a specific pattern. These patterns involve mature eye-hand coordination and knowledge of kinesthetic awareness. During times of battle, there wasn’t time to ask someone what to do, nor were there any written instructions. Often, the time for loading and reloading of muskets was included in the battle plan. Therefore, this activity required specific knowledge and efficiency in order for one to be a productive infantryman.
Preparation
Review Background Information and Procedure sections.
Procedure
PRE-SITE ACTIVITIES
1. Research the history and function of the rifle and musket.
2. With a wooden strip measuring 58 inches, determine how long it takes to steady the wooden strip and aim at a target. Using the prop, review the steps necessary to load and fire a musket.
3. Once a level of proficiency is obtained, attempt it again blindfolded.
4. Measure an amount of sand equal to the weight of the musket (about 12 pounds). Carry around the sack of sand to understand how importance endurance was to the Continental soldier.
POST-SITE ACTIVITIES
1. To teach sequence: Have students write steps to load a musket. Act out steps to see if they are correct.
2. Write a creative story explaining why it was important to be a sharpshooter when living in the wild.
3. Make a Venn Diagram comparing the musket and a rifle.
4. Compare and contrast modern-day weaponry to that of the Revolutionary War era.
Additional Resources
Darling, Anthony D. Red Coat and Brown Bess. Alexandria By, NY; Museum Restoration Service, 1971.
Lagermann, Robert and Albert C. Manucy, The Long Rifle, New York, Eastern Acorn Press, 1993.
Newmann, George C., Battle Weapons of the AmericanRevolution, Texarkana, TX; Scurlock Publishing Co., 1998.
Neumann, George C. and Frank J. Kravic., Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution,Texarkana, TX; Scurlock Publishing Co., 1997.
Wilbur, Keith C. The Revolutionary Soldier. Chester, CT: The Globe Pequot Press, 1993.