Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Independence

For Students 3rd - 5th
Independence is so important to Americans. Congress for Kids provides a tutorial on this core value.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Nara: Teaching With Documents: Images of the American Revolution

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The National Archives and Records Administration provides a lesson plan on the American Revolution. Content includes excellent historical background, as well as several primary source documents, pictures, and engravings detailing various...
Activity
University of Virginia

Declaring Independence: Creating and Recreating

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
An online exhibit telling about the original creation of the Declaration of Independence and its many forms after. W.11-12.9b US Doc Analysis
Primary
The History Place

The History Place: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The History Place provides both relevant pictures and the full text of the Declaration of Independence. An audio version is also available. Click on "American Revolution Main Index Page" for information on the war itself.
Website
The History Place

The History Place: American Revolution

For Students 3rd - 8th
The History Place provides this timeline broken into six different sections that highlight the important events from the early European exploration of America through to the United States becoming a country. Features include informative...
Handout
The History Place

The History Place: A New Nation (1784 to 1790)

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The History Place provides a timeline of American history between 1784 and 1790. Mentions many famous people and events of the era. Links to John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, James Madison, the Constitution, Bill...
Handout
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Signers of the Declaration: John Adams

For Students 6th - 8th
This site provides an interactive biography of former President John Adams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Liberty Bell

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed overview of the Liberty Bell, coverng its role as an American symbol and its history.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Francis Hopkinson

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia provides brief biographical information on Francis Hopkinson, American Author and one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Declaration of Independence: 1776

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Website with games and information on American government provides information on the Declaration of Independence and summarizes the history surrounding the document.
Activity
PBS

Pbs: Liberty!: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you can find a general overview of the Declaration of Independence, followed by its full text.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Liberty!

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from PBS provides background information on the Revolutionary War, along with a photo essay and game.
Primary
PBS

Pbs: Cet: All Known Drafts of the Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Three known drafts of the Declaration are available from this website. Click on the links to the left to see the different drafts. Links to Ken Burn's interview transcripts are also provided.
Website
Other

Founding Fathers

For Students 9th - 10th
Find information about the founding fathers and what they accomplished. Presents the Federalist Papers, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, and The U.S. Constitution. Also includes images, quotes, a history of the...
PPT
Other

Object of History: Jefferson Desk (Desk on Which the Declaration Was Drafted)

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides information on the desk that Thomas Jefferson used to draft the Declaration of Independence.
Graphic
Other

Object of History: Other Authors of the Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
View a photo of the committee that discussed the important points to be covered in the Declaration of Independence.
Primary
Other

Object of History: Remembrances of Revolution and Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
View copies of three original documents that are letters between political leaders concerning the Declaration of Independence.
Primary
Other

Liberty Online: A Summary View of the Rights of British America

For Students 9th - 10th
Written before the Declaration of Independence, this lengthy essay by Thomas Jefferson argued that the British Government was treating America unfairly. This site contains full text and footnotes within text hyperlinked to panel at...
Activity
Other

University of Delware: Franklin and Friends

For Students 9th - 10th
Using historically significant documents and photos from its collection, this exhibit probes the various interests of Franklin and the influential friends that shared his interests.
Handout
Other

Semper Liber: American Rule of Law the American Way

For Students 9th - 10th
American rule of law is based on the premise that increase in government means decrease in liberty. That being given, the underlying assumption about American rule of law is that limits must be placed on government, since the tendency of...
PPT
University of North Carolina

American Self Government: The First & Second Continental Congress [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 12th
Looks at the significant events and decisions of the First and Second Continental Congresses that piloted the movement towards self-government.
Interactive
Quia

Quia: Key Events of the Revolutionary War

For Students 3rd - 5th
Put the Revolutionary war events in sequential order in this interactive activity.
Activity
Ibis Communications

Eyewitness to History: Writing the Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
An article about the Declaration of Independence which covers the selection of the Committee of Five, Jefferson's writing, the presentation to Congress for approval, the problems in drafting, and the final changes which were made....
Lesson Plan
ReadWriteThink

Read Write Think: Myth and Truth Independence Day

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Contains plans for three lessons that explore the fact and fiction surrounding the Declaration of Independence and Independence Day. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to resources used in the...