Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: "The Founding of American Democracy" by Jessica Mc Birney

For Students 7th - 8th
A learning module that begins with "The Founding of American Democracy" by Jessica McBirney, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
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.
Handout
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Perspectives on the Fourth of July

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] A lesson plan from the online magazine, History Now, asks: How does the celebration of Fourth of July help us understand the ideals upon which the United States was founded?
Activity
Other

University of Delware: Franklin and Friends

For Students 9th - 10th
Using historically significant documents and photos from its collection, this exhibit probes the various interests of Franklin and the influential friends that shared his interests.
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.
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.
Study Guide
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Jefferson's Presidency and the Turn of the Nineteenth Century

For Students 9th - 10th
This Khan Academy resource provides notes for American History. "Jefferson's Presidency and the Turn of the Nineteenth Century" is explained on this resource.
Graphic
Other

The Architect of the Capitol: Roger Sherman

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from the Architect of the Capitol is a government site that focuses on art and architecture in the U.S. Capitol. Features a picture of a marble statue of Sherman.
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
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.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Common Sense,independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussion of comparison and contrast of Declaration of Independence and Common Sense. If you click the "documents" link in the sidebar, you can also access the text of Common Sense.
Website
BBC

Bbc: Serbia Rejects Un Legal Ruling on Kosovo's Secession

For Students 9th - 10th
This article discusses Serbia's reaction to the United Nation's ruling that Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008 was not illegal. Links to related articles are featured. (July 22, 2010)
Handout
Discovering Lewis & Clark

Discovering Lewis & Clark: Benjamin Rush, m.d.

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn detailed information about the life and education of Dr. Benjamin Rush who advised Lewis on how to keep his men healthy and what questions to ask to determine the health practices of the Indians he would encounter. Rush was also a...
Article
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: William Blackstone (1723 1780)

For Students 9th - 10th
A thorough biography of Sir William Blackstone. Blackstone is a recognized lawyer born in England and played an integral part of the development of the common law legal system in the United States during the Revolutionary War, and the...
Website
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids

For Students 3rd - 5th
Take a tour of the federal government with Uncle Sam and learn the story of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the three branches of government, and elections. Along the way learn how laws are made, about the Bill of...
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...
Website
Instituto Latinoamericano de la Comunicacion Educativa

Acta De La Independencia (1811)

For Students 9th - 10th
Declaration of Independence for Venezuela, July 5, 1811. English and French available on the homepage.
PPT
Google Cultural Institute

Google Cultural Institute: Witness to War

For Students 9th - 10th
Photographic collection illustrates key events in the years following the declaration of Irish Independence in 1919.
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.
Unit Plan
TES Global

Blendspace: World's Greatest Break Up Letter

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Work through twenty-four links to websites, videos, images, and activities to learn about the Declaration of Independence and how it came to be.
Handout
HyperHistory Online

Hyper History: Thomas Jefferson

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography including links to the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and Jefferson's first inaugural address.
Handout
Other

John Hancock, a Biographical Sketch

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of John Hancock, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Button Gwinnett

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers information on the life of Button Gwinnett, Georgia signer of the Declaration of Independence, including the fact that his autograph, being rare, is highly sought after by collectors.