Introduction
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Was it important?
Task
For the tasks, you will need to view the video above.
You will also be using an online version of the Declaration of Independence to view. You will then discuss the Declaration of Independence with a shoulder partner. Students should expect to complete some questions in the form of an assessment at the end of the lesson.
Process
Read the Declaration of Independence by clicking this link: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
Students should ask themselves these questions:
Why did the authors write this document?
Is there any evidence or clues as to what this document is addressing?
Evaluation
Shoulder partners will discuss their thoughts and opinions on what they have read.
After this, the whole class will come together and each student will have the opportunity to share their interpretations of the Declaration of Independence.
Students will complete a questionnaire about the Declaration of Independence by answering the following questions:
1. Why do you think that the founders wrote the Declaration of Independence?
2. Was this document important?
3. Was this document portraying dominant ideas of the time, or were these ideas part of a minority (how many states voted for and against the document?)?
4. Does the Declaration of Independence still have any relevance or effect on us today?
Rubric:
1. 2pts Opinion backed with facts
2. 2pts Yes, it has had a lasting impact with facts backing it.
3. 2pts Yes, it was portraying the idea that the thirteen states decided that they needed to form their own nation.
4. 4pts Yes, the Declaration of Independence still has relevance today because without it...
Conclusion
Today, we learned about the Declaration of Independence and why it was written.
You also saw how the states rallied together in support of this document.
We also learned that the Declaration of Independence was very important because it was the document that declared independence from Great Britain. It is also very important and relevant in our lives because, without it, we would probably not be here today.