“The Regulars are Coming Out:” Paul Revere and Diligence

In this lesson, students will learn about the actions of Paul Revere during his midnight ride in April of 1775. They will study how his diligence in working towards American independence helped to advance the cause and use this example to better understand how they can be diligent in their own lives.

Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.

• What challenges are you facing?
• What fears or concerns might you have?
• What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?

Observation Questions

• What was Paul Revere’s role in the midnight ride?
• What was Paul Revere’s purpose for making the midnight ride?
• What about your life could you compare to the diligence shown by Paul Revere?
• What does Revere’s purpose in participating in the midnight ride tell you about his identity?

Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.

• What is the historical context of the narrative?
• What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
• How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
• How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
• How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
• What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
• Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
• How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?

• Students will analyze Paul Revere’s role in the midnight ride.
• Students will understand how to remain diligent in their own lives.
• Students will apply their knowledge of diligence to their own lives.