| The Declaration of Independence |
On July 4, 1776, the delegates at the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, a document which claimed the right of the colonies to be free from the British Crown. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to prepare the document; he asserted that the main purpose of government is to protect the rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The government can never withhold certain inalienable rights given to all human beings. Furthermore, only through the consent of the governed does a government receive its power. Americans may take the ideas in the Declaration of Independence for granted today, but they were radical in the 18th century. It is vital that we, as Americans, understand the sacrifice made by our Nation's founders in order for us to live freely; through this website students will explore who wrote the Declaration of Independence, how it was written, and why it was necessary.
Table of Contents
Georgia Performance Standard
Instructional Websites
Activity One: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Activity Two: How was the Declaration of Independence written?
Activity Three: Why was the Declaration of Independence necessary?
Software Reviews
Additional Websites
Georgia Performance Standard
Instructional Websites
Activity One: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Activity Two: How was the Declaration of Independence written?
Activity Three: Why was the Declaration of Independence necessary?
Software Reviews
Additional Websites
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SS4H4: The student will explain the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution. B. Explain the writing of the Declaration of Independence; include who wrote it, how it was written, why it was necessary, and how it was necessary as a response to tyranny and the abuse of power. |
Websites
The Signers Gallery
This website offers alot of interesting facts about the signers.
Biographies of the Founding Fathers
This web site offers detailed biographies of 111 of the signers of the Declaration.
The Stylistic Artistry of the Declaration of Independence
This web site provides further insight into the masterfully written text of the Declaration.
Drafting the Document
This web site describes the process of writing the Declaration.
The Declaration's Importance
In child-friendly terms, this web site explains why the Declaration was necessary.
Events Leading to the Declaration
A wonderful web site that offers links for further information on the many events that led to the composition of the Declaration.
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1. Title: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Through this activity, students will explore web sites containing biographical information about the signers of the Declaration and then choose one to study further. Students will be asked to depict their chosen signer and present a three to five minute introduction of the historical figure to the class. 2. Primary Learning Outcome:Students will be able to identify biographical information about many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. 3. Sources: Students will need access to a computer with Internet access and the following web sites: The Signers Gallery Biographies of the Founding Fathers 4. Procedures 5. Product: With the information they obtained from the web sites, students will be able to identify biographical information about many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. |
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1. Title: How was the Declaration of Independence written? Through this activity, students will explore web sites containing information regarding the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Students will be assigned to groups of four, with one student out of each group assuming the role of Thomas Jefferson and the remaining members assuming the roles of revisers. Groups will be assigned to develop their own Declaration regarding an issue they feel passionate about. 2. Primary Learning Outcome: Students, working in groups of four, will be able to compose and debate a introductory paragraph for an original Declaration regarding an issue of their own choosing. 3. Sources: Students will need access to a computer with Internet access and the following web sites: Drafting the Document The Stylistic Artistry of the Declaration of Independence 4. Procedures 5. Product: With the information students obtain from the web sites, they will have a more complete understanding about the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Through the activity, students will create and justify their own Declarations. |
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1. Title: Why was the Declaration of Independence necessary? Through this activity, students will explore web sites containing information regarding the events leading to the Declaration of Independence. Students will choose one event to study further and write a one-page paper about the event's impact upon the colonists. 2.
Primary Learning
Outcome: Students will be able to identify the events that
led to the
Declaration of Independence.
3.
Source:
Students will need access to a computer with Internet access and the
following web sites:Events Leading to the Declaration The Declaration's Importance 4. Procedures 5. Product: With the information students obtain from the web sites, they will have a more thorough knowledge of the events leading to the Declaration of Independence and also their impact on the colonists. |
 Published by: Microsoft Corporation Possible Use Regarding the Above Activities: Microsoft Word would be an excellent software choice for students to use when composing their papers for the above activities. Evaluation of the software: Although Microsoft Word is an outstanding typing program, fourth-grade students may run into difficulty with the spacing, tab, and other specific settings that require the default to be altered. |
 Published by: Microsoft Corporation Possible Use Regarding the Above Activities: Students, using Microsoft Paint, may draw a seal to affix to the Declaration that they will compose in Activity Two. Evaluation of the software: Microsoft Paint is very easy to use, even for younger children. The only problem that I can see occurring would be in the modification of the printing options. |
 Published by: Vivendi Universal Games Possible Use Regarding the Above Activities: Jumpstart Advanced features games involving History and Social Studies that could be used as extension activites for the above listed activites. Evaluation of the software: It may be difficult to keep the students on track and working only with the Social Studies aspects of the software when there are so many other fun games to explore. |
 Published by: Encyclopedia Britannica Possible Use Regarding the Above Activities: Students could use this electronic encyclopedia to further their research for the above listed activites. Evaluation of the software: Students may find the content of the articles difficult to fully understand. |
 Published by: DK Interactive Possible Use Regarding the Above Activities: Students may use the Encyclopedia of History sofware to further their understanding of the Declaration of Independence , it's signers, and the events leading to it. Evaluation of the software: The only problem that I can see with using this software would be the demand on system requirements; I do not anticipate student trouble with the software. |
What's on the back of the Declaration of Independence?
Declaration Facts
Sign the Declaration of Independence
Read the Declaration for Yourself
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