Crossing the Delaware: The Battle of Trenton Debriefing Dossier

In this 8-page booklet, your students are trusted soldiers in Washington's army, instructed to create the battle plans for the surprise attack on the Hessians in Trenton in 1776. The assignment requires just two sheets of standard paper, but creates an 8-page "dossier" with history, math, and language arts requirements. The first page requires students to provide information on the Hessians. The next few pages ask students to map the two routes taken by Generals Sullivan and Green, and to answer questions based on the map. Then there is a two-page math assignment, calculating the time it will take to cross the river with 2400 soldiers, 60 horses, and 4 wagons. On the last page, students are to write a paragraph explaining the Continental Army's advantages in the battle. Finally, there is General Washington's holiday wish list, where students can have a little fun guessing what Washington wanted for the new year in 1777. The lesson includes students directions, a suggested assessment rubric, and a teacher lesson plan.