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Handout

Breaking Down the Declaration of Independence

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Are learners heavy sighing at the idea of reading a primary source, written in a language that is difficult to understand and in cursive? Look no further, because the resource breaks down the Declaration of Independence in an easy-to-understand and enjoyable way. The class reads about the meaning of different sections of the document, sees the primary source firsthand, and gets a play-by-play to each sentence of the entire document.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Concepts
the declaration of independence, american history, the american revolution, american politics, the united states
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Additional Tags
social studies
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Instructional Ideas
  • Differentiate for GATE by assigning them to make up some of their own answers
  • Extend learning by requiring pupils to write a reflective piece about what the Declaration of Independence would have meant for colonists at the time; challenge them to use historical context and facts
Classroom Considerations
  • Requires a way to present the resource through methods such as print distribution, online access, or projection technology
Pros
  • Makes a primary source less overwhelming and more interesting for scholars
  • Puts the wording of the Constitution into regular, everyday, contemporary speak
  • Very easy to navigate the resource
Cons
  • None