Eagles Over the Battlefield introduces students to our national

emblem, the American bald eagle. This work of historical fiction

imagines how the Founding Fathers might have debated the
symbols selection, especially given Ben Franklins tongue-in-
cheek disdain for the eagle. According to legend, the bald eagle
played an important role during an early battle of the American
Revolution. Noise from the battle stirred hundreds of eagles from
nearby nests. They circled above the battlefield, screeching alarm.
They are shrieking for Freedom! shouted the patriots. Inspired,
the minutemen fought bravely, turning back the British soldiers
and winning the day. Review the optional pre-reading
activity for more historically-accurate details (page 3).

Play: parts for ten students; length: 10 to 15 minutes. Appropriate for

grades 3 through 8, but best for grades 4 - 6. Unlike most readers theater, there is very little traditional
narration. The messenger at the end of Scene One provides the narration in Scene Two by sharing his
experience in battle as Soldier #3.

Standards: play performance: Speaking & Listening #6; post-play discussion: Literature #2, 3, 5, 6; Speaking
& Listening #1; bubble quiz: Lit #1, 2, 4; pre-reading activity: Informational Text # 1, 2

Key: 1. B; 2. F; 3. I; 4. N; 5. S; 6. U; 7. Y; 8. A; 9. Students may reference Pucketts fear, that hes cold and
miserable, and how these feelings are creating a sense of hopelessness; 10. Answers will vary. Students may
refer to Pucketts dying for the cause, but also that even as he was dying, he remained focused on freedom. His
statement that the eagles are shrieking for freedom, provided inspiration for the others to fight on and
eventually win. Pre-reading: 1. majestic good looks, etc., paragraph 2; 2. A Philadelphia man, para. 2; 3. eagle
(freedom), olive branch (peace), arrows (strength), para. 2; 4. white-headed, para. 4.

Extension Activities: 1. Examine the eagle emblem on the back of the dollar bill. What patriotic elements can
your students identify in the design? Look at the Great Seal online at www.greatseal.com and explore the
meanings of its symbols and Latin phrases. 2. Contrast and compare the bald eagle and the wild turkey. Have
your students research each creature. After looking at physical traits, consider their character traits. Is the bald
eagle really of low moral character? Is the turkey as loyal as Franklin claimed it to be? Conclude by having a
classroom debate. If your students had been in Congress in 1787, which bird would they have chosen?

Resources:
The Great Seal of the United States: http://www.greatseal.com/
American Emblem: http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle9.html

All photos & illustrations in the public domain: Cover: A.M. Willard, The Spirit of 76 (originally entitled
Yankee Doodle); Pg. 4: Amos Doolittle, 1775, The Doolittle engravings of the battles of Lexington and
Concord in 1775, Plate III, Engagement at North Bridge in Concord; Pg. 5: Jean Leon Gerome Ferris,
postcard published by The Foundation Press, Inc., 1932. Reproduction of oil painting from series: The Pageant
of a Nation.; Pg. 6: Godefroy, Journey to Lexington; Pg. 7: Andrew B. Graham, litho., E pluribus unum /
The Great Seal.

Rights: Thank you for respecting the copyright on this play! The original purchaser is licensed to photocopy
one class set per year for use in his or her classroom. Performance rights are included provided the original
purchaser represents a public or non-profit school. Visit ReadAloudPlays.com for additional information about
rights and copyright.

2001 by Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. ReadAloudPlays.com Revolutionary War Plays -- Page 2 of 16
 An original play by Mack Lewis

Characters:
Narrator 1 & 2
Ben Franklin Thomas Jefferson
John Adams Alexander Hamilton
Messenger Pucketta young soldier
Soldier #2 Soldier #3the messenger during a battle

Scene One FRANKLIN: Nay.

Independence Hall
JEFFERSON: Nay?
NARRATOR #1: The leaders of the new nation
have many decisions to make. Thomas Jefferson,
FRANKLIN: Yes, nay! I still like the wild
John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Alexander
turkey.
Hamilton are deciding on an emblem for the
young country.
ADAMS: What is so special about the wild
turkey?
NARRATOR #2: Though the Revolution isnt
yet over, they want to choose a symbol to
FRANKLIN: The turkey is a bird of courage.
represent the United States.
He would not be afraid to attack a British soldier
who happened to invade his farmyard wearing a
NARRATOR #1: But theyve been arguing for
red coat.
some time.
JEFFERSON: The turkey wouldnt care if the
NARRATOR #2: Tempers have begun to flare.
soldiers coat was red or blue. He attacks
everyone!
HAMILTON: Lets vote again, gentlemen. If we
are to take the matter to Congress, you must all
FRANKLIN: It was the turkey that helped the
agree. Those in favor of the eagle, say aye.
Pilgrims survive!
JEFFERSON: Aye.
JEFFERSON: Which just goes to show its
worth more when its dead than when its alive.
ADAMS: Aye.

2001 by Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. ReadAloudPlays.com Revolutionary War Plays -- Page 4 of 16
 A Bell for the Statehouse Pre-reading
Name: _________________________________________ Date: _____________________________

Long before it was known as the Liberty Bell, the Old State House Bell became a symbol of
freedom and independence. Its story begins in 1751 when the Pennsylvania Assembly needed a bell
for the new state house in Philadelphia. The Assembly wanted it to celebrate the fifty year anniversary
of Pennsylvanias Constitution. They sent sixty pounds, fourteen shillings, and five pence (about three
hundred dollars) to a foundry in England. Even though they werent yet thinking about freedom from
British rule, they had the bell engraved with a verse from the Bible: Proclaim Liberty throughout all
the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.(Lev. 25:10). Little did they know, these would be words of
inspiration during both the American Revolution and the Civil War.

After the bell cracked during its very first ringing, two tinsmiths volunteered to recast it. John
Pass and John Stow broke the bell in pieces and melted it down. But when the job was finished, it
made a bad sound. They recast it againthis time to everyones satisfaction. Almost. Assemblyman
Norris requested a new bell be sent from the foundry in England, but when it arrived, it sounded no
better than the original bells E-flat tone. During the Revolution, patriot leaders had all bells hidden.
Because bells were mostly made of lead, they feared the British would melt them down to make
bullets. The State House Bell was taken to Allentown, where it was hidden under the floor of the Zion
Reformed Church.

The bell is twelve feet around at its lip and seven and one-half feet around at its crown. It
weighs 2,080 pounds. It was used to gather the people for important events and announcements. It
tolled when Ben Franklin left for England to speak to Parliament. It tolled when George III became
King of England. It tolled extra loudly when Colonial John Nixon read the Declaration of
Independence on July 8, 1776.

In 1837, when the New York Anti-Slavery Society began using the bell as its symbol, people
started calling it The Liberty Bell. Its message to proclaim liberty inspired many abolitionists in the
years before the Civil War.

The Liberty Bell cracked for the final time exactly 59 years after the reading of the Declaration
of Independence. Even so, the bell remained in use until 1846. Finally, during a celebration of George
Washingtons Birthday, the crack grew so large the bell could no longer be rung. Today it can be seen
at the Liberty Bell Pavilion in Philadelphia.

Highlight and mark with a #1 where the article states the names of the men who recast the bell.

Highlight and mark with a #2 where it says when and why it became known as The Liberty Bell.

Highlight and mark with a #3 the main topic sentence for this article.

Highlight and mark with a #4 where the article states an opinion.

Highlight and mark with a #5 one other statement you find interesting. Be prepared to discuss it.

2001 by Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. ReadAloudPlays.com Revolutionary War Plays -- Page 10 of 16
 An original play Mack Lewis

Characters
Town Crier Statesman 1 Statesman 2
Cobbler Carpenter Tinsmith
Dressmaker Storekeeper Farmer
The Bell Redcoat One Redcoat Two

STATESMAN 1: But where will we find a

bellmaker in Philadelphia? There is no one in all
Scene One the Colonies who can make such a bell.

CRIER: One day in 1751, the cobbler was
working in his shop when two statesmen walked
by.
STATESMAN 1: Isnt the new State House a
grand building?
STATESMAN 1: Why not order one from the
Old Country? We can send for it today!
CRIER: Hear ye, hear ye: big bell to be ordered
from England!

STATESMAN 2: Yes, but what good is the

steeple without a bell? Scene Two
STATESMAN 1: Youre right. It does need a CRIER: Months later, the cobbler noticed
bell. everyone running past his shop.

STATESMAN 2: Why dont we have a bell COBBLER: Whats all the excitement? Where
cast? The best bell ever! is everyone going?

2001 by Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. ReadAloudPlays.com Revolutionary War Plays -- Page 11 of 16
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