Was It Murder or Self-Defense?
Step into the courtroom with The Trial of Captain Preston, an immersive lesson that puts your students in charge of the verdict. Using real historical evidence from the night of the Boston Massacre, students analyze witness accounts, weigh conflicting testimonies, and decide whether British Captain Thomas Preston was guilty or innocent.
 
Grade Level: 7–10
Duration: 1-2 class periods
 
What’s Included:
Historical simulation activity: “Trial of Captain Preston”
Primary source packet featuring authentic eyewitness testimonies from 1770
4 part guided worksheet: Verdict of the Colonial Court of Boston
Answer keys and grading rubric for the CER verdict
 
Skills Developed:
Source evaluation and bias detection
Claim, Evidence, Reasoning
Argument construction based on historical evidence
Critical reasoning and group deliberation
 
Perfect For:
Teachers seeking a lively, evidence-based debate that brings the Boston Massacre to life and challenges students to think like historians and jurors.