Graphic
Curated OER

The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Listen and read along as news reporters from NPR recite the Declaration of Independence. Somehow the document becomes so much more alive as it is being read aloud.
Graphic
Curated OER

Etc: Maps Etc: Accessions to the Principal of Independence, 1776

For Students 9th - 10th
A map of the Thirteen Colonies color-coded to show the accessions to the principal of Independence before July 2, 1776. The map shows when the colonial delegates to the Continental Congress were instructed to vote on the Declaration of...
Primary
The History Place

The History Place:king George Iii Proclaims the Colonies to Be in Open Rebellion

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The History Place provides the original text of the royal proclamation of King George III that the Colonies were in open rebellion against the Crown having received the Declaration of Independence.
Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Thomas Jefferson

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father of the United States who drafted the Declaration of Independence and later became the third US President.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: Theory of the American Founding, Part 3: Why Equal Protection of the Law?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson that helps learners examine the Declaration of Independence and other excerpted historical writings in relation to the ideas of human equality and equal protection under the law.
Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Benjamin Franklin

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Benjamin Franklin, an inventor, scientist, and Founding Father who helped draw up the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Website
British Library

British Library: The American Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of the British Library's On-line Gallery series. This section explores, in comprehensive detail, the American Revolution. The Gallery includes an introduction, a timeline of events and lots of documentary and pictorial evidence....
Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Democracy

For Students 3rd - 8th
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...
Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Charles Carroll

For Students 9th - 10th
Charles Carroll is primarily remembered today for his political leadership in Maryland during the Revolutionary era. A wealthy planter, Carroll became a major figure in the patriot movement in 1773 when he penned the First Citizen...
Website
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs: State of Israel

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the type and structure of the Israeli governmnet established in 1948. Links to each branch of the government are found on the orange menu bar.
Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: John Witherspoon

For Students 9th - 10th
He was a father figure to America's Founders. A renowned theologian from Scotland, John Witherspoon educated many young men who became prominent leaders of the Founding generation. He went on to embrace the revolutionary cause. He signed...
Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Roger Sherman

For Students 9th - 10th
Although not the most charismatic or eloquent Founder, Roger Sherman was highly esteemed by his contemporaries. At Sherman's death, Ezra Stiles, president of Yale College, wrote, "He was an extraordinary man-a venerable uncorrupted...
Handout
CommonLit

Common Lit: Text Sets: Founding the United States

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Lone Star Republic

For Students 5th - 8th
Why did Mexico encourage settlement of Americans in Texas? Why did the Americans chafe under Mexican rule? Find out how this led to the Texas Revolution and the declaration of Texas as an independent country.
Unknown Type
Quia

Quia: Building of the Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Quiz yourself on how well you know the events leading up to writing the United States Constitution.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: The Liberty Bell

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
[Free Registration/Login Required] Intended to support early elementary students' reading comprehension, Independence Hall's "Liberty Bell" is described in this informational text. Visual cues are provided to support the passage and...
Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: John Adams

For Students 9th - 10th
Short, overweight, and quick-tongued, John Adams hardly fits the model of the typical Founder. But Adams's contributions to American independence and the formation of the United States government were great. Adams penned defenses of...
Handout
CommonLit

Common Lit: Text Sets: The American Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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...
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Hamilton and Jefferson the Men and Their Philosophies [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton played a huge role not only in crafting important documents in U.S. history, but also by serving as secretaries in George Washington's first cabinet. Read about their diametrically opposing...
Website
San Jacinto Museum of History

San Jacinto Museum: Commanders in the Field: Thomas Rusk

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a short biography from the San Jacinto Museum about Thomas Rusk, his early life, actions in the Battle of Jacinto, and his later life.
Website
San Jacinto Museum of History

San Jacinto Museum: Revolution: Timeline of Events

For Students 9th - 10th
Presents a six-year timeline from April, 1830, when the Mexican government outlawed emigration of American settlers into Texas to the April, 1836, the Battle of Jacinto. Links to websites for additional information.
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: American Memory: Journals of the Continental Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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...
Website
Other

Positive Atheism: The Philosophy of Paine

For Students 9th - 10th
This site displays the text as delivered by Thomas A. Edison about the philosophies of Thomas Paine (1737-1809 CE). According to Edison, Paine is one of the great members of society who was never recognized for his outstanding achievements.