FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Write a 20 word Main Idea Summary Statement.

Read the passage below.  Then fill in the Sum-It-Up chart. 

PART A

British Raids

                In August 1814, British troops marched on Washington, D.C. – a city on only 8,000 people.  As the cracking of rifles and the booming of cannons filled the air, President James Madison rode to the battle 7 miles away.  First Lady Dolley Madison stayed behind, racing through the White House to save what she could from the British soldiers.  She narrowly escaped.  When the British arrived, they set fire to the White House, the Capitol, and other buildings.

                With Washington in flames, the British sailed up Chesapeake Bay to Baltimore.  But Baltimore was protected by Fort McHenry.  Although British ships bombed the fort for hours, the Americans refused to surrender.

Sum-It-Up

PART B

                Unable to defeat the American forces at Baltimore, the British sailed south to New Orleans.  But American soldiers under General Andrew Jackson were waiting for them.

                The British lad siege to New Orleans for ten days.  Fierce fighting from Jackson’s soldiers finally made the British leave the city.  Americans would later learn that the Battle of New Orleans had not been necessary.  On December 24, 1814-two weeks before the battle-the British and Americans had signed a peace treaty in Europe.  Word that the war was over had not reached New Orleans in time.

Sum-It-Up