National Endowment for the Humanities
The "To Do List" of the Continental Congress
What is on your to-do list today? The second instructional activity of a three-part series on Lost Heroes of America investigates the laundry list of items in front of the second Continental Congress. Scholars research, analyze, and...
Carolina K-12
First Continental Congress, Second Continental Congress, and the Declaration of Independence
Your learners will take on the roles of Congressional members in the year 1775 and devise a plan for America after the onset of the Revolutionary War.
Film English
World Builder
If you could build your own world from the ground up, what would you include? Ask your pupils this question, and have them write about their worlds and share with partners. Then, show the short film, which includes some impressive world...
Curated OER
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Sixth graders explore the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. In this history lesson, 6th graders consider the problems created when each colony had independent currencies. Students problem solve other related weaknesses.
Los Angeles Unified School District
Why Is the Declaration of Independence Important?
Fair or unfair? To begin a study of the American Revolution, class members review the treatment of the people of the American Colonies by the King of England and decide which were fair and which were unfair. Class members then annotate a...
Curated OER
Recap and Activities (Reveloutionary War Era)
Eighth graders discuss the importance of the Second Continental Congress. They compare and contrast present-day athletic mascots and their roots in the Revolutionary War. After discussing Loyalists and Patriots, 8th graders write...
Curated OER
Early Congress Proclaims Holidays
Young scholars read about and discuss the historical effects of Congressional decision-making in the establishment of national holidays.
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence
Fifth graders participate in a discussion about the Declaration of Independence. In this Declaration of Independence instructional activity, 5th graders write imaginary stories in the voice of a member of the committee at...
Curated OER
Bill of Rights Day
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...
Curated OER
Get to Know Your Bill of Rights
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...
National Constitution Center
Fourth of July (Grades 9-12)
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.
Curated OER
A Five-Step Plan for the Ohio Country and the Northwest Territory
Students complete five worksheets which correspond to the five problems the American government faced and the five solutions they instituted, accompany this lesson. They select and research one of the steps in this plan and write a...
Curated OER
My Brother Sam is Dead: A study of the Revolutionary War
Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature. After "My Brother Sam Is Dead," students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War. They identify key...
Curated OER
Bill of Rights Day (December 15th)
On December 15, 1791, the ratification of the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the UnitedStates of American by three-quarters of the states took place. These were subsequently incorporated into the Constitution and became...
Curated OER
The declaration of Independence and Your Rights
Students discuss the Declaration of Independence and the violation of those rights in colonial times. They compare it with the Declaration of
Sentiments and why women felt their rights were being violated. They write their own personal...
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence and Your Own Rights
Students read and discuss the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of Sentiments. They discuss how the rights of the colonists and women were being violated. Students write about their own personal rights and how their rights...
Curated OER
Moving Toward Independence
Eighth graders identify the reasons why colonists were fed up enough to want to break free of colonial rule and create their own government. They complete an in-dept analysis of the pamphlet Common Sense and it's role in fueling the...
Curated OER
Minting a New Mint
Students explore why the Founding Fathers felt it was necessary to have a solitary form of money used throughout the land. Students create their own money systems and have a class sale to simulate the confusion of multiple forms of...
Curated OER
Celebrating Benjamin Franklin
Middle schoolers explore various websites featuring the life and achievements of Benjamin Franklin. They investigate Franklin's roles in colonial society as well as pictures of his various inventions. They view excerpts of historical...
![Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Revolution: Continental Congress [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Revolution: Continental Congress [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Revolution: Continental Congress [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that examines the rules by which the Continental Congress governed colonial America. Learners will identify people who held positions of leadership...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Slavery: A Crisis in the Making [Pdf]
This lesson looks at the issue of slavery and the role it played in the American Revolution and the founding of the new Republic. Includes background information for the teacher. Students participate in performing a reader's theater...