Introduction to The Declaration of Independence

Level: Classroom
Grades: Elementary Upper (3-5)
School Quarter: 1

Related School Level Activities:

The American Revolution: 250 Years since the Declaration of Independence

Activity: Introduction to The Declaration of Independence

Theme Alignment: Histories of Independence

Toolkit Overview (In this toolkit):

• Background
• How to implement this activity
• Resources: Official versions of each of the founding documents

Background:

The Declaration of Independence describes how founders of the United States saw their rights and lists grievances against King George III’s policies and actions in the 13 colonies. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration. A modified version was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It was later signed by 56 people and sent to King George and officially launched the American Revolution.

Vocabulary activities help students become familiar with the terms used in the Declaration of Independence. Students can draw on the history of the Declaration of Independence to think about independence, interdependence, cooperation, conflict, and conflict resolution. The recommended books encourage students to think about the American Revolution from different perspectives including women, children, and enslaved people.

How To:

Link to Implementation / How to Checklist

Use ideas from 4 Engaging Ways to Introduce The Declaration of Independence

Vocabulary

• Discussion of terms
• Activities to practice:
  • Fill in the blank, Word matching, Crossword puzzle, Word search

Context and discussion:

• Read one of the books about the Declaration of Independence as a class
  • Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence is particularly recommended for its focus on the African American experience of independence.
  • A Peacemaker for Warring Nations: The Founding of the Iroquois League is recommended for students to understand the influence of indigenous people on the founding documents of the United States
• What systems help you work well with others? How did characters in the books work together?
• What is a conflict? How did the colonists resolve their conflict with King George? (writing a letter/declaration, fighting soldiers) What are some of the ways you can resolve conflicts? (writing a letter, having a direct conversation, apologize and change behavior)

Classroom Activity:

• Choose one:
  • Write a modern Bill of Rights
  • Discuss the idea of a Classroom Constitution
  • Create classroom ‘Declarations of Kindness’
• Have each student choose another book about the American Revolution with a protagonist who was not one of the commonly recognized Founding Fathers (i.e. not George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson). Write a book report that answers:
  • What role did this character have in the American Revolution?
  • How was this character affected by the Declaration of Independence?
  • How did life change for people after the American Revolution?

Resources:

• 4 Engaging Ways to Introduce The Declaration of Independence
• The Declaration of Independence
• Teach the Declaration of Independence
• Too Late to Apologize Music Video
• The Declaration of Independence: Differentiated Learning Activity for grades 4-5
• Declaration of Independence Unit with fill in the blank, word matching, and crossword puzzle
• Worksheet: Learn about the Declaration of Independence grades 3-4
• Word Search & Answer Sheet for Grade 5
• Schoolhouse Rock: Fireworks (Declaration of Independence)
• Schoolhouse Rock! The Preamble (to the Constitution)
• School House Rock: I’m Just a Bill
• School House Rock: Shot Heard Round the World

Books:

• The Declaration of Independence (America’s Most Important Documents: Inquiry into Historical Sources)
• The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence Grades 2-5
• What Is the Declaration of Independence? Grades 3-7
• George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Two Sides Grades 3-7
• A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent
• Her name was Mary Katherine: The Only Woman Whose Name Is on the Declaration of Independence Ages 7-10
• Meet Felicity: An American Girl 1774, Ages 7-10
• A Peacemaker for Warring Nations: The Founding of the Iroquois League
• Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence