Declaration of Independence Teacher Resources

Students begin their examination of the Declaration of Independence. Using the text, they answer questions for their citizenship interview. They also examine the role of Jefferson in creating the document and how he participated in slavery.

Delve into the past to understand the issues that led to the Declaration of Independence. Academics read excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and take a virtual tour of the American Revolution Museum. The resource explains how...

Tracy K. Smith's erasure poem "Declaration" challenges scholars to use their noticing skills to make connections between an engraving entitled "The Declaration of Independence" and Smith's poem. Class members record observations and...

Budding historians learn the process of preserving history in an interesting hands-on-activity. The resource walks academics through the process of restoring the Declaration of Independence. Individuals place a series of images in...

Verbs are deceptive and like to disguise themselves. Young linguists identify verbals, specifically gerunds, infinitives, and participles when analyzing the third stage of Carlotta's journey in the novel A Mighty Long Way. Bridge...

To sign or not to sign, that is the question. Scholars review the Declaration of Independence and discuss the Framers' decisions for signing the document. The activity uses primary text, a worksheet, and group discussion to help...

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...

This presentation reviews some of the reasons that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the start of the Revolutionary War. It provides a brief overview and images for events like the French and Indian War, the...

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...

A fantastic video highlights the role of Thomas Jefferson at the Continental Congress, focusing on the language of the Declaration of Independence and its listing of grievances against the British government.

Students compare and contrast the Vietnamese and American plans for government. In this government systems instructional activity, students analyze and compare excerpts of the 1945 Vietnam Declaration of Independence, the Vietnam...

In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about 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...

Students study important historical figures.  In this United States history lesson plan, students trace the signature of John Hancock using cotton swabs, glitter, and various art supplies after discussing the historical significance...

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...

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,...

Students make a poster. In this values instructional activity, 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...

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...

While just an outline for an exploration of the American Revolution, this lesson could be augmented to provide a richer experience. The activity calls for learners to discuss the Declaration of Independence, study Paul Revere's midnight...

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...

Young historians explore the reason American colonists were unhappy under British rule. Class members complete hands-on activities and participate in a group discussions to understand why colonists drafted the Declaration of Independence.

An empowering lesson explores the causes and complaints that led to the American Revolution. Young scholars, starting in fourth grade, complete hands-on activities, role play, and create cartoons to understand the American Revolution and...

"Promises Denied," the second instructional activity in a unit that asks learners to consider the responsibilities individuals have to uphold human rights, looks at documents that illustrate the difficulty the US has had trying to live...

Was the Southern states' decision to secede from the Union protected by the United States Constitution? Eighth graders discuss the constitutionality of the South's justification for secession, particularly the secession of South...