Read Works
Read Works: Colonization & Revolutionary War: The Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the creation of the Declaration of Independence. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Most Important Thing He Ever Wrote
Tells about Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence.
A&E Television
History.com: American Presidents: John Adams
This easy-to-navigate site has John Adams' biography, a timeline detailing some of the significant events in his life, an image gallery, and several video clips.
A&E Television
History.com: American Presidents: Thomas Jefferson
This easy-to-navigate site has Thomas Jefferson's biography, events in his life, an image gallery, several video clips.
A&E Television
History.com: Thomas Jefferson Videos: Declaration of Independence
A video featuring the Declaration of Independence. Tom Brokaw addresses why the Continental Congress found the need for the revolutionary document. [4:00]
Read Works
Read Works: The Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Declaration of Independence and why it was written. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
Connecticut Society of Sons of the American Revolution: The Price They Paid
Find out what really happened to the brave men who signed the Declaration of Independence. What has been put forth in popular literature is rebutted and explained through rigorous research.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Independence Day: Fundamental Ideas About Government
In this lesson, students will examine some of the fundamental ideas about government that is contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. When the lesson is completed, students should be able to...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson hoped that he would be remembered for three accomplishments: his founding of the University of Virginia, his crafting of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and his authorship of the Declaration of Independence....
CommonLit
Common Lit: "The Founding of American Democracy" by Jessica Mc Birney
A learning module that begins with "The Founding of American Democracy" by Jessica McBirney, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
CommonLit
Common Lit: The Declaration of America's Immense Offense
A learning module that begins with "The Declaration of America's Immense Offense" by BirdBrain History, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Declaration of Independence
The idea behind the Declaration of Independence and the process of writing it involved a great deal of thought and hand-wringing. Read about the three separate parts of the declaration, and the audiences for which the document was aimed.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Jefferson's Presidency and the Turn of the Nineteenth Century
This Khan Academy resource provides notes for American History. "Jefferson's Presidency and the Turn of the Nineteenth Century" is explained on this resource.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Independence
Travel back in American history to the time of the thirteen colonies struggling to free themselves from the rule of the British monarch, and discover how the Declaration of Independence was created.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Early American and Colonial Period to 1776
Background information about the literary traditions of the pre-Colonial and Colonial period. Includes information about Native American oral traditions and Native American cultures. Follow the links to the Early American era and to...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Winning the American Revolution
An unconventional, myth-busting history of the American Revolution from the Declaration of Independence to victory and the Treaty of Paris, 1783.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: Journals of the Continental Congress
From the Journals of the Continental Congress, dated July 4, 1776 in which students can read the exact words which were read to the delegates at the Continental Congress, listing the grievances against the King of England.
Other
The Architect of the Capitol: Roger Sherman
This resource from the Architect of the Capitol is a government site that focuses on art and architecture in the U.S. Capitol. Features a picture of a marble statue of Sherman.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Democracy
Aimed at younger students learning about government, this section of the larger 'Congress for Kids' website focuses on Democracy. Links to related topics include democracy vs autocracy, 13 Colonies, Declaration of Independence, and...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Text Sets: The American Revolution
Collection of 17 Grade-Leveled texts (4-12) on the topic "The American Revolution." Learn about the events leading up to America's Revolutionary War for independence from Britain and how the war was won. [Free account registration...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Text Sets: Founding the United States
This is a collection of 15 Grade-Leveled texts (5-12) on the topic The Founding of America. Once the Revolutionary War was over, America's Founding Fathers had to develop a nation. Learn about the founding of American democracy, from the...
PBS
Citizen Ben: Founding Father
As part of a larger site about the extraordinary Benjamin Franklin, this section focuses on his being one of founding fathers of the new United States of America. Read about the three major documents he signed as a delegate and diplomat.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Let's Talk Socratically
For this lesson you will be using the Socratic Seminar Instructional Method. The Socratic Seminar is a great way to get students involved. Socratic seminars are useful in that they teach students to make a point through using the text...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Purpose, Explanation, & Grievances of the King
In this lesson, learners will be able to state the main ideas in the Declaration of Independence, and explain their significance. The students will be able to know the purpose of and explain the Declaration of Independence, as well as...