Activity
Other

Biographies: Thomas Paine

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed biography of the American revolutionary writer and thinker Thomas Paine. Includes discussion of the influence of his writing on international affairs.
Article
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Supreme Court Justices: John Jay

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and author of some of the Federalist Papers.
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
Digital History

Digital History: Declaring Indpendence

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence espoused by those brave souls who signed their names to the revolutionary document in 1776.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Declaring Independence [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Follow the steps that Americans took before declaring their independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence set out the ideals and reasons behind this stunning move. Use the student exercises to understand the different levels...
PPT
PBS

Pbs: Independence Day [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 8th
Picnics, fireworks, and parades are what we think of when someone says Fourth of July. This day became a federal holiday in 1941 so Americans could take a day to celebrate our independence. View the following slideshow that summarizes...
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia provides an extensive biography on the life of James Madison. Provides information about his life before and after the presidency as well as his policies on foreign and domestic...
Website
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Colonial Williamsburg: Politics in Colonial Virginia

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explores the politics involved in Colonial Williamsburg, leading up to the American Revolution. Content focuses on famous speeches, documents, and influential people.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Fraunces Tavern

For Students 9th - 10th
An encyclopedia article about the role of the Fraunces Tavern, owned by the black merchant, Samuel Fraunces, before, during, and after the Revolutionary War.
Professional Doc
A&E Television

History.com: Revolutionary War Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
The Revolutionary War was an insurrection by American Patriots in the 13 colonies to British rule, resulting in American independence.
Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: James Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography of James Madison. Find out why James Madison was called the father of the constitution. Learn how his life affected the United States. (In Spanish)
Unit Plan
Other

Left Justified: Founding Fathers

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical accounts of fifty men who played a wide variety of roles in bringing about America's break with Great Britain, and in the creation of the documents and plans that created the new nation, like the Declaration of Independence,...
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
Digital History

Digital History: Articles of Confederation

For Students 9th - 10th
A good look at the government under the Articles of Confederation. See what powers the central government had, the powers of the state governments, and discover the problems that ensued.
Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Documents: Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the meeting of the Continental Congress during which the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Links to famous people present at the meeting.
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words

For Students 9th - 10th
This extensive exhibition offers observations on various facets of Franklin's life, as well as his writing and other accomplishments.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Colorado

For Students 3rd - 5th
Discover more about the Rocky Mountains. Why is Colorado called the "Centennial State?" Look at this website for captivating facts.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Middle Colonies: The Ideas of Benjamin Franklin

For Students 5th - 8th
A brief biography of Benjamin Franklin covering his career as a printer, philanthropist, inventor, and public servant.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Arthur st.clair (1736 1818)

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief description of the military career of Arthur St.Clair, including his roles in the American Revolution and against the Indians in the Northwest Territory.
Handout
Other

Colonial Hall: Biography of Samuel Adams

For Students 9th - 10th
A very long detailed biography on Samuel Adams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It is somewhat hard to read and tedious to go through, but lots of useful information.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: American Revolution for Kids: Declaration of Independence

For Students 4th - 8th
"We hold these truths to be self-evident." This infamous quote is part of the Declaration of Independence which Congress adopted on July 4, 1776. Read about the ideas contained in this document and take a quiz at the end to see what you...
Unknown Type
Soft Schools

Soft Schools: Declaration of Independence Quiz

For Students 3rd - 8th
This easy-to-understand multiple-choice quiz takes you through events before, during, and after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Review your score and any missed questions at the end.
Graphic
Curated OER

Etc: New Settlements & Proposed Comm in the West, 1775 1782

For Students 9th - 10th
A map of the new settlements and proposed communities in the Tennessee and Kentucky country between the Allegheny Mountains and the Ohio River, from 1775 to 1782. The map shows the proposed proprietary colony of Transylvania under Judge...
Article
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: James Wilson (1742 1798)

For Students 9th - 10th
Article presenting two somewhat contrasting biographies of James Wilson, who was a lawyer, member of the Second Continental Congress and later became a Supreme Court Justice.