Exploros | The Declaration of Independence

Overview

In this experience, students create a class chart of what they know about colonial America and the Revolutionary War. Then they outline the structure of the Declaration of Independence and explain the famous line, “We hold these truths…” Next they analyze the actual statement declaring independence and explain why July 4 is recognized as Independence Day. Finally they create a work of their own choosing to explain the Declaration of Independence.

The Student Pack contains an optional video, which serves as a good overview of the Declaration of Independence. You may choose to assign the video for students to watch at home before beginning the experience in class.

There is no Evaluate scene in this experience. The Review is a 10-question quiz for summarizing Celebrate Freedom Week.

Estimated duration: 45-75 minutes, depending on how much time you want to give students for the project in scene 4.

Vocabulary words:

anthem
grievance
adopt
document

Objectives

Explain the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence.
Reflect on the meaning of the Declaration of Independence.

Engage

According to the “Star Spangled Banner,” the national anthem, the United States is the “land of the free.” This week is Celebrate Freedom Week, and you will be learning about three major documents—the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—and what they add to our freedom.

Objectives

Explain the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence.
Reflect on the meaning of the Declaration of Independence.

a group of men signing the Declaration of Independence at the Second Continental Congress

Declaration of Independence, by John Trumbull (1819)

Ask students to describe what they see in the painting shown above.

The setting is the Pennsylvania State House, now Independence Hall, in Philadelphia.

Thomas Jefferson, the main author of the Declaration, is shown placing the document before John Hancock, president of the Congress.

The men alongside Jefferson are the other members of the committee that drafted the draft: John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Benjamin Franklin.

The date of this event was June 28, 1776, when the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Second Continental Congress

The painting is located in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

The United States has not always been an independent country. It started as thirteen colonies controlled by the king of Great Britain. As a class, summarize what you know about colonial times and the Revolutionary War. If someone has already listed what you know, try to think of something else to post.

Provide enough background for students to understand the meaning of the Declaration of Independence:

Great Britain was ruled by a king, who also ruled the American colonies.

Great Britain saw the colonies as a source of natural resources and taxes.

The colonists were not allowed to trade with other countries.

Great Britain controlled many areas of the colonists’ lives.

The American colonists felt they were paying high taxes without having a voice in the British government.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.