Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docsteach: Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, learners will review and analyze the founding documents of the United States and understand Benjamin Frankin's contributions and connections to these founding documents. Franklin was the only man to help shape all of...
Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: Thomas Jefferson

For Teachers 6th - 8th
A 6-8 grade level lesson plan on the many accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Pre Civil War Reform: Introduction

For Students 9th - 10th
A good introduction to the topic of reform movements in Pre-Civil War America. What were the reasons that encouraged reform of many social ills?
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Quartering Act of 1765

For Students 9th - 10th
This ushistory.org site provides the provisions to the Quartering Act of 1765 for better government of the army.
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
Lone Star Junction

Lone Star Junction: Texas Timeline: Revolution and Republic

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents a brief timeline of the events surrounding the Texas Revolution and the Republic of Texas with hyperlinks for more information.
Handout
PBS

Citizen Ben: Founding Father

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of a larger site about the extraordinary Benjamin Franklin, this section focuses on his being one of founding fathers of the new United States of America. Read about the three major documents he signed as a delegate and diplomat.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Administration of Justice Act of 1774

For Students 9th - 10th
The complete original text of the British Parliament's Administration of Justice Act of 1774 to encourage enforcement of Royal Authority.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: Rediscovering George Washington

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Discussion lesson plan that introduces and examines the concept of government by consent of the governed. Includes a reading for class distribution and references to primary source documents.
Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

Econ Ed Link: Transportation: They Say We Had a Revolution (Part 1)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Advancements in transportation have played a key role in the growth of our nation. U.S.government policies have also had a considerable impact on the development of transport as we know it today. In this series of three lessons, the...
Handout
Travel Document Systems

Tds: Latvia: History

For Students 9th - 10th
Latvia's history is an interesting tug-of-war between Latvians and occupying countries. Read about Latvia's beginnings and her current history. Information from U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Handout
Other

Schoolhouse Rock: Fireworks

For Students 3rd - 5th
This site from Schoolhouse Rock, History Rock, provides the lyrics to the song, "Fireworks" about the Declaration of Independence. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence for the Continental Congress? When did they write it? What does...
Article
BBC

Bbc: Kosovo M Ps Proclaim Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
The BBC discusses the situation in Kosovo as its parliament unanimously endorses its independence from Serbia. Although celebrated by tens of thousands, trouble ensued. (17 February 2008)
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: State Constitutions

For Students 9th - 10th
The success of the Revolution gave Americans the opportunity to give legal form to their ideals as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, and to remedy some of their grievances through state constitutions. As early as May 10,...
Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Richard Henry Lee

For Students 9th - 10th
Richard Henry Lee in many ways personified the elite Virginia gentry. A planter and slaveholder, he was tall, handsome, and genteel in his manners. Raised in a conservative environment, Lee was nonetheless radical in his social and...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Arsenal of Democracy

For Students 5th - 8th
Although Americans remained isolationist in their thinking, President Roosevelt understood that the European allies needed help against the Germans. Read about the incremental ways America became involved in World War II in Europe...
Graphic
Curated OER

Declaring Independence Drafting the Documents

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this timeline for the drafting of the Declaration of Independence to learn more about American history. It takes you from June 7, 1776 through the writing of this major document in U.S. history.
Graphic
Curated OER

Science Kids: Science Images: Statue of Liberty, New York, Usa

For Students 9th - 10th
This photo looks up at the famous Statue of Liberty that is located on Liberty Island, in the harbor of New York, USA. The well known statue was gifted to the United States by the French as a gift to commemorate the one hundred year...
Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Thomas Jefferson (Spanish)

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography on Thomas Jefferson with pictures and links.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Thomas Jefferson Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
This detailed timeline describes Thomas Jefferson's life, spanning the colonial period, the American Revolution, and the early Republic. You will also find maps and written documents within this collection.
Unknown Type
Other

Constitution Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
How much do you really know about the most important document in United States' history? Take the quiz and test your knowledge. If you need some additional information, click on the US Constitution and Amendments tab and play the...
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: John Hancock

For Students 3rd - 8th
Although John Hancock is credited with the most famous signature of all time, he also governed Massachusetts and helped create a navy for the colonies. A brief biography, two paintings, and photo of the Declaration of Independence...
Handout
Other

Colonial Hall: Benjamin Franklin, 1706 1790

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive biography of founding father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin, transcribed from an 1829 publication, Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, by Rev. Charles A. Goodrich.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Some Laws Are Intolerable

For Teachers 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the British Acts that lead to the Boston Tea Party and to the writing of the Declaration of Independence. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in...