Activity
Read Works

Read Works: The Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 1st Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Declaration of Independence and why it was written. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Unit Plan
Read Works

Read Works: Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Declaration of Independence and why it was written. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Primary
Other

Texas Heritage Society: The Fredonian Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
A reprinting of a document which served as both a Declaration of Independence as well as a treaty commemorating the agreement to divide Texas.
Primary
Massachusetts Historical Society

Mhs: Coming of the American Revolution: Declarations of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Features the history behind the document that "shaped the course of American history" and gave Americans their independence. Includes many supporting original documents and teacher resources.
Activity
Ibis Communications

Eyewitness to History: Writing the Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
An article about the Declaration of Independence which covers the selection of the Committee of Five, Jefferson's writing, the presentation to Congress for approval, the problems in drafting, and the final changes which were made....
Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Osu History Teaching Institute: Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 8th
Lesson plan helps students understand the Declaration of Independence.
Primary
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Colonial Williamsburg: History: Kids: Declaration of Independence

For Students K - 1st
Site in which students can zoom in on the actual Declaration of Independence document.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Written for students, a full text and explanation of the Declaration of Independence, its authors, and background in the American Revolution. Links to related resources.
Primary
Indiana University

Maurer School of Law: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Full text of the Declaration of Independence, with signers from each state and links to related information.
Website
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Texas Treasures: Texas Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
What was the purpose of the Texas Declaration of Independence? Who authored the Declaration? This brief article answers these questions and provides links to the original handwritten Declaration as well as printed broadside.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: The Argument of the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Argument of the Declaration of Independence." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Thomas Jefferson: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
This site discusses the The Declaration of Independence, and includes information on Thomas Jefferson's role in its creation.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Declaration of Independence: An Expression of the American Mind

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Declaration of Independence: "An Expression of the American Mind"." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Lesson Plan
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Dec of Independence of Rep. Of Texas [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 8th
In this lesson plan, Students examine the Texas Declaration of Independence and compare it to the United States Declaration of Independence for similarities and differences, with particular attention paid to the terminology used in these...
Graphic
Other

Object of History: Other Authors of the Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
View a photo of the committee that discussed the important points to be covered in the Declaration of Independence.
Primary
The History Place

The History Place: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The History Place provides both relevant pictures and the full text of the Declaration of Independence. An audio version is also available. Click on "American Revolution Main Index Page" for information on the war itself.
Activity
PBS

Pbs: Liberty!: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you can find a general overview of the Declaration of Independence, followed by its full text.
Handout
Wyzant

Wyzant: Claiming Freedom: The Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Website with primary source material on the Declaration of Independence history, teaches students about why it was written, how it was recieved and accepted, and how it is structured.
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Teachers: Declaration of Independence: Created Equal?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
What does the Declaration of Independence mean with the phrase, "All men are created equal"? Students examine "equality", and what it means now and what it meant during the time of Thomas Jefferson, and "develop a rationale for...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Declaration of Independence

For Students 4th - 8th
The idea behind the Declaration of Independence and the process of writing it involved a great deal of thought and hand-wringing. Read about the three separate parts of the declaration, and the audiences for which the document was aimed.
Website
A&E Television

History.com: Thomas Jefferson Videos: Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
A video featuring the Declaration of Independence. Tom Brokaw addresses why the Continental Congress found the need for the revolutionary document. [4:00]
Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Declaration of Independence (1776) and Resource Materials

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
Handout
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Mecklenberg Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Sourced from the Harvard Classics services, this resource provides informational text on the Mecklenberg Declaration of Independence written in 1775.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Declare the Causes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Offers lesson plans that guide students to understanding the structure of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout the course of the lesson, students will be working on writing their own declaration of grievances relative to issues in...