Activity Overview
As students read Common Sense, they should be able to identify and understand the different arguments Paine is making. Using a frayer model (or a spider map), students will identify one of Paine's major arguments, summarize it, and create a visualization to help further their understanding. This activity will help them put the later actions taken by the colonists into context.
As extended activity, students will create a spider map that represents what they found to be the four strongest arguments for independence. Students will be able to create a similar storyboard from the activity.
- Of the Origin and Design of Government in general, with concise Remarks on the English Constitution
- Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession
- Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs
- On the Present Ability of America, with some Miscellaneous Reflections
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that describes one of Paine's major arguments in Common Sense.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the center title, identify the overall argument that Paine makes.
- In each cell, identify the components of the argument.
- In each description box, describe or summarize the argument.
- Create images using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
As students read Common Sense, they should be able to identify and understand the different arguments Paine is making. Using a frayer model (or a spider map), students will identify one of Paine's major arguments, summarize it, and create a visualization to help further their understanding. This activity will help them put the later actions taken by the colonists into context.
As extended activity, students will create a spider map that represents what they found to be the four strongest arguments for independence. Students will be able to create a similar storyboard from the activity.
- Of the Origin and Design of Government in general, with concise Remarks on the English Constitution
- Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession
- Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs
- On the Present Ability of America, with some Miscellaneous Reflections
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that describes one of Paine's major arguments in Common Sense.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the center title, identify the overall argument that Paine makes.
- In each cell, identify the components of the argument.
- In each description box, describe or summarize the argument.
- Create images using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
More Storyboard That Activities
Common Sense
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
Introductory School Offer
ONLY$500
- 1 School
- 5 Teachers for One Year
- 1 Hour of Virtual PD
30 Day Money Back Guarantee • New Customers Only • Full Price After Introductory Offer • Access is for 1 Calendar Year
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
