In this grade 5 social studies and language arts interdisciplinary unit, students are required to investigate key battles in the Revolutionary War for independence. Working in groups, students research eight battles to try to determine which was the most important battle leading up to victory for the U.S. colonists. The battles to be investigated are Bennington, Bunker Hill, Cowpens, Lexington and Concord, Oriskany, Saratoga, Trenton, and Yorktown. The student guide provides detailed instructions and contains a list of resources, including Web sites. The teacher's guide ties the lesson to California state standards and provides suggestions on how to conduct and evaluate the activities. (RJC)