Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Founding Documents

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Teach the class about the predecessor to Declaration of Independence—the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Using the foundational documents, scholars examine the two writings to consider how they are similar and how they are different. A...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Declare the Causes: The Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study the Declaration of Independence and the process our founding fathers went through to get it written and signed. They analyze other similar historical documents and draft and present their own declarations.
Worksheet
Digital History

The Age of Constitution Writing

For Students 9th - 12th
Was the United States significantly more democratic in their governing structures and laws after the overthrow of British authorities? Compare and contrast summaries of the country's constitutions under British rule and after...
Lesson Plan
1
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What So Proudly We Hail

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: A Lesson on the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
What does it mean to say that a right is unalienable? How did the founding fathers convey this revolutionary concept in the Declaration of Independence? Engage in a close reading and analysis of the Declaration of Independence, and...
Lesson Plan
National Constitution Center

Fourth of July (Grades 9-12)

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Class members work to translate the Declaration of Independence into their own words, as well as design a Facebook page within the context of 1776 to raise public awareness about the document and its meaning for citizens.
Worksheet
ThoughtCo

Thomas Jefferson Matching Activity

For Students 4th - 6th
What are some notable happenings that occurred during Thomas Jefferson's life and presidency? Give young historians a worksheet about the life and accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Loyalists and Loyalism in the American Revolution

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students engage in activities to understand how ideologies were constructed before and during the Revolutionary War. How and why were some "reluctant revolutionaries" turned into whig patriots willing to fight against the British empire,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington: The Living Symbol

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss George Washington's life and how he became a symbol of this nation. They categorize various images of Washington into the various roles he plays.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Independence Day Crossword

For Students 3rd - 4th
For this Fourth of July worksheet, students read 7 words or phrases in a word bank that pertain to Independence Day. Students read the clues and fit their answers in a crossword puzzle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marching to Freedom: PowerPoint Presentation debating for or against going to war

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders present research on war. In this debate lesson, 4th graders create a power point presentation debating for or against the American Revolution. Students share their presentations with the class.
PPT
Curated OER

The War for Independence: 4th Grade

For Teachers 4th
Here is a great interactive idea that may need a little refining. Students play 3 rounds, where they answer questions explaining how different countries have gained independence throughout history. While this resource has music and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What can money tell us?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the physical presence, imagery and written text on a reproduction of colonial currency. They apply their research to a modern day quarter to compare and contrast two coins. In addition, they design their own colonial...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Salute to Flag Day

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
Use Flag Day as a learning opportunity for your classroom. Collect a variety of books and other resources on the subject of the U.S. flag. Have pupils conduct independent research at home and come to class prepared to share some fun...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Celebrate Flag Day! Scavenger Hunt

For Students 3rd - 6th
In this Flag Day worksheet, students explore the Internet to access one specific website to find the answers to complete five multiple choice statements about Flag Day.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Revolutionary War

For Teachers 8th - 11th
March your students off to war with this presentation, which provides details to the American Revolution such as important figures (Jefferson, Franklin, Henry), facts about the Declaration of Independence, and definitions of key terms. A...
Worksheet
Digital History

The New Nation

For Students 9th - 12th
George Washington and the new nation of the United States of America faced many problems in their inaugural years. Use this worksheet as a straightforward approach to learning about the reasons the country was experiencing a lack of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The U.S. Constitution:Continuity and Change in the Governing of the United States

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students examine and analyze primary sources regarding the plan for U.S. government.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights Day

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine and identify the values and purposes of the Bill of Rights. They complete a class KWL chart, participate in a class jigsaw activity, write and illustrate a book about the first ten amendments, participate in a mock...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get to Know Your Bill of Rights

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders research and examine the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. They sequence events significant to this time period, read and discuss text, and in small groups prepare and present the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Henry Laurens in the Tower of London

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine primary sources regarding Henry Laurens and his time in the Tower of London. In this American Revolution instructional activity, 8th graders create illustrated journals based on their research of imprisonment of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders participate in a discussion about the Declaration of Independence.  In this Declaration of Independence lesson, 5th graders write imaginary stories in the voice of a member of the committee at Independence hall....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

President Who? Forgotten Founders and Their Capitols

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students explore the beginning of the United Colonies that were formed in 1774.  In this history lesson, students discuss the Articles of Confederation and then answer questions about the events surrounding the development of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decisions, Decisions: The Constitution

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders, after working with the software Decisions, Decisions: The Constitution, become face to face with the dilemmas, compromises, and struggles of writing the American Constitution. Each student is evaluated on how well they...

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