Student Activities for Johnny Tremain
Essential Questions for Johnny Tremain
- What were some of the events and causes that led up to the American Revolution?
- What role do our friends and the people around us play in shaping our characters?
- What kinds of ideals are worth killing and dying for?
- Can both sides in a war be both good and bad?
- How does Johnny Tremain’s character change over the course of the book?
- What role did the printing press play in the Revolution?
Brief Summary of Johnny Tremain
Much of Johnny Tremain’s enduring popularity rests in its meticulous attention to historical detail. The world of 18th century Boston comes to life in Forbes’s story, as do a number of famous historical events and figures. The novel includes minute details about the Boston Tea party, Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, and the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Historical figures include Sam Adams, Paul Revere, Robert Newman, James Otis, Dr. Joseph Warren, Dr. Benjamin Church, Josiah Quincy, John Hancock, William (Billy) Dawes, the Reverend Samuel Cooper, Governor Hutchinson, General Gage, and General Earl Percy. Students should be aware that Johnny, the Laphams, the Lytes, and the Silsbees/Lornes are fictional, but that most other characters with both first and last names are based on real people. For this reason, Johnny Tremain pairs nicely with history classes and/or research assignments. Students may benefit from learning a little background on the pivotal players and events.
The various trades depicted in Johnny Tremain also add historical realism to the novel. When the novel opens, Johnny is a silversmith. Because this profession is little known today, students will benefit from a little background on it. Youtube includes several helpful videos on blacksmiths, though not silversmiths. Teachers might also preview the following trade-specific vocabulary used in the novel: smith, crucible, ingot, anvil, hood, cast, annealing furnace. Historically, Paul Revere was a famous silversmith, and additional information can be found in researching him. The Paul Revere Memorial Association provides helpful information, including photos of Revere’s surviving silver work.
The importance of printers in fomenting revolutionary fervor is also clearly conveyed in Johnny Tremain. The Observer’s Club, which meets in the loft above Uncle Lorne's print shop, is based upon the real historical Long Room Club which met above the print shop of the Boston Gazette. The following link contains interesting background information on the Long Room Club and its members (many of which were included in Forbes’s Observer’s Club) along with a number of related primary documents.
The print shop in which the meetings took place also has a useful website, which can be accessed at https://bostongazette.org/about.
More Activity Ideas for Johnny Tremain
- Johnny Tremain is a classic example of a Bildungsroman novel. Have students keep track of the different elements of Bildungsroman literature through storyboarding! Students can create a storyboard chart with illustrations and descriptions of each Bildungsroman stage.
- Create a storyboard to depict one chapter or section at a time.
- Create a storyboard that shows precise causes and effects of events.
- Add a presentation to any storyboard project.
How Tos about Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Engage students with a hands-on historical trades simulation activity
Invite students to explore 18th-century trades by creating simple, classroom-safe models or demonstrations. Select trades featured in Johnny Tremain (such as silversmithing, printing, or blacksmithing). Guide students to use everyday materials—like clay, aluminum foil, or cardboard—to simulate tools and processes. Connect each activity to real historical figures from the novel for deeper engagement.
Introduce the activity with a brief overview of the trade and its historical significance
Begin by explaining the chosen trade’s role in Revolutionary Boston. Share interesting facts about how silversmiths, printers, or blacksmiths influenced daily life and major events. Highlight connections to characters like Johnny or Paul Revere to spark curiosity and set context for the activity.
Provide simple instructions and safety guidelines for the simulation
Demonstrate how to use classroom materials to mimic basic trade techniques, such as shaping foil to create ‘silver’ items or printing with sponges and paint. Emphasize safety—no heat, sharp tools, or hazardous supplies. Encourage creativity and collaboration while ensuring the activity is age-appropriate and risk-free.
Facilitate student reflection and discussion about their trade experiences
Prompt students to share what they learned and felt during the simulation. Ask questions about challenges they faced and how these trades shaped the lives of people in Revolutionary times. Connect their experiences to themes in Johnny Tremain for meaningful classroom conversation.
Extend learning with research or creative writing assignments
Assign short research tasks on real historical tradespeople or have students write a diary entry from the perspective of a young apprentice in Boston. Encourage presentation of their findings or stories to the class for added engagement and cross-curricular integration.
Frequently Asked Questions about Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
What is Johnny Tremain about?
Johnny Tremain is a historical fiction novel by Esther Forbes set in Boston before and during the American Revolution. It follows a young apprentice silversmith who becomes involved in key events, meeting historical figures and growing through personal and political challenges.
How does Johnny Tremain connect to teaching the American Revolution?
Johnny Tremain vividly brings to life important events and figures of the American Revolution, making it an excellent companion for history lessons. Students gain deeper understanding of causes, effects, and perspectives by exploring the novel alongside historical study.
What are engaging classroom activities for Johnny Tremain?
Teachers can use storyboarding, character charts, cause-and-effect diagrams, and presentations to make Johnny Tremain interactive. Activities like tracking Bildungsroman elements and researching real historical figures help students connect literature with history.
Which historical figures appear in Johnny Tremain?
Johnny Tremain features real-life figures such as Paul Revere, Sam Adams, John Hancock, and others involved in the American Revolution. The novel blends fictional and actual people to enhance historical realism.
How does Johnny Tremain's character change throughout the book?
Johnny transforms from a proud, talented apprentice into a mature, compassionate young man shaped by personal adversity and the forces of war. His growth reflects the novel's theme of character development during times of change.
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