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Overview:

Using primary sources (the Declaration of Independence and an artist rendition of signing) to study the document setting us free from Great Britain. Students will look at and analyze the picture first before reading the document.

Grade Range:

 9-12

Objective:

After completing this activity students will be able to:

• Understand the written document of the Declaration of Independence.

• Analyze how this document affected the people living during this time period.

• Discuss how this is the foundation of our democracy today.

Time Required:

 1.5 Class periods of 40 minutes

Discipline/Subject:

 Civics, Social Studies

Topic/Subject:

 Government, Law

Era:

 The American Revolution, 1763-1783

Illinois Learning Standards:

Social Studies:

14.E.4   Analyze historical trends of United States foreign policy (e.g.,  
           emergence as a world leader-military, industrial, financial.
14.F.3a Analyze historical influences on the development of political ideas and
           practices as enumerate din the Declaration of Independence, the United
           States Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Illinois Constitution.
14.F.4a Determine the historical events and processes that brought about
           changes in United States political ideas and traditions (e.g., the New 
           Deal, Civil War).

Handouts:

 Analysis Tools

Analysis Tools:

The More You Look, the More You See, Written Document Analysis

Books:

American Government by Prentice Hall Textbooks

PowerPoint:

Available in PDF

Library of Congress Items:

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence

1.

Have LOC primary source image up on Smart Board when students enter classroom and hand out photo analysis worksheet. Go over questions with the students then allow them time to look at the photo and to answer the questions.

2.

Interject questions about women not being in photo, windows covered, papers on table, etc. 

Day Two:

1.

Have students open up their textbooks to the Declaration of Independence (p.40) and put up the picture of the broadside.

2.

Have students look at the Written Document Analysis sheet and go over as a class the First Look portion.

3.

Break students into small groups and have them read the Declaration of Independence and answer the Content Information portion of the analysis sheet.

4.

As a class go over Content Information: What would the colonist list all their problems with the King? What were they hoping to gain by doing this?

5.

Have students take a quiz over the Declaration of Independence using PowerPoint slide (available in PDF)