National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 2: Religion and the Argument for American Independence
Young scholars examine how religion affected arguments justifying American independence. They read and analyze primary source documents, and write an essay analyzing how Americans used religious arguments to justify revolution against a...
Core Knowledge Foundation
A New Nation American Independence Tell It Again!™ Read-Aloud Anthology
Sixteen lessons make up a read-aloud anthology centered around America's journey toward independence. Scholars hear texts about the Boston Tea Party, Betsy Ross, the Found Fathers, the Liberty Bell, and more! Pupils discuss their...
Curated OER
Understanding the Declaration of Independence
Students work in groups to do a document analyxix of several documents. Students view the Martin Luther King speech, "I Have a Dream." They discuss the Battle of Saratoge. Students give a personal view of the reason the Declaration of...
Curated OER
The Road to Revolution: (1770-1776)
Posing a guiding question about the inevitability of the American Revolution, the presentation guides students through the circumstances leading up to "The shot heard 'round the world" up to the Declaration of Independence. Teachers can...
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence: From Rough Draft to Proclamation
Students examine and analyze an unknown document (Jefferson's original rough draught of The Declaration). In this document analysis lesson, students compare the rough draught with the first printed version and work in pairs to analyze...
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence
Learners examine readings and symbols to learn about the War of Independence and Thomas Jefferson. In this War of Independence lesson, students explore the role of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration for Independence. Learners answer...
Curated OER
To Declare Independence or Not??
Young scholars debate and role play about whether the colonists should declare independence from England or not. For this American history and oral communication lesson, students read informational text about the colonists and their...
Curated OER
Independence Day Word search
In this social studies worksheet, students complete a word search with vocabulary pertaining to Independence Day. Students locate 16 words associated with the holiday.
Curated OER
The Declaration Versus The Communist Manifesto
Upper graders put their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution to the test when they are asked to mark which of several statements are from either the Constitution or the Communist Manifesto. A class discussion follows. Use this resource as...
Curated OER
Comparing the 1945 Vietnam Declaration of Independence and Constitution of 1992 with the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution
Students compare and contrast the Vietnamese and American plans for government. In this government systems lesson, students analyze and compare excerpts of the 1945 Vietnam Declaration of Independence, the Vietnam Constitution of 1992,...
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence (1776)
In this online interactive history activity, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the Declaration of Independence.
National Woman's History Museum
Inventive Women - Part 2
The Declaration of Independence was published in 1776. The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, modeled after the Declaration of Independence, was drafted and read by Elizabeth Cady Stanton at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848....
Curated OER
The Decleration of Independence
Eighth graders read through, interpret and discuss the Declaration of Independence. They review the 4 main parts of it and add notes to their graphic organizers. They also read about and discuss the writers of the Declaration and...
Curated OER
Declaring Freedom
Ninth graders study the sections of the Declaration of Independence. In this American Government instructional activity, 9th graders participate in a weekly discussion board. Students create a multimedia project to demonstrate their...
Curated OER
The First Marathon/The Declaration of Independence
These worksheets could be used if you want learners to explore The History of the First Marathon or The Declaration of Independence in a fun and concise manner. Students view a cartoon and read a few facts about each event before...
Curated OER
The War for Independence: 4th Grade
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...
National Endowment for the Humanities
"An Expression of the American Mind": Understanding the Declaration of Independence
High schoolers research the structure of the Declaration: introduction, main political/philosophical ideas, grievances and assertion of sovereignty. They analyze the ideological/political origins of the ideas in the Declaration. Students...
Curated OER
A Famous Signature
Learners study important historical figures. In this United States history instructional activity, students trace the signature of John Hancock using cotton swabs, glitter, and various art supplies after discussing the historical...
Curated OER
Constitution Lesson Plan
Third graders identify roles of Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution in establishing new country, create posters with their ideas about each part of Constitution, and explain three branches of government, including their...
Curated OER
A More Perfect Union
Fourth graders complete a unit of lessons on the development of the U.S. government. They examine the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence, develop a class translation of the preamble to the Constitution, create a flow chart,...
Curated OER
What Are Our Common Values?
Students make a poster. In this values lesson, students read the Preamble to the Constitution and discuss the core democratic values that are found there and in the Declaration of Independence. Students are each assigned a core...
Curated OER
Building A Nation
Students build their own nation in groups where they create a name, flag, declaration of independence, form of government, mathematical layout, and more. In this nation lesson plan, students also provide a scale drawing of their nation...
Curated OER
American Revolution
While just an outline for an exploration of the American Revolution, this lesson plan could be augmented to provide a richer experience. The activity calls for learners to discuss the Declaration of Independence, study Paul Revere's...
Curated OER
the Declaration of Independence Lesson
Students demonstrate reading comprehension skills, including reading strategies, inference, literal meaning, and critical analysis.