Declaration of Independence: Workbook 1
Instruction Guide & Lesson Plan
Welcome & Historical Overview
- Read pages 1-7
- Define unfamiliar words
- Rewrite the Lee Resolution in your own words
- Discuss what everyone wrote (split into smaller groups if needed)
- Complete the questions on page 8
DISCUSS: Do you think the Lee Resolution was necessary? Why or why not?
Introduction
- Read pages 11-12
- Define unfamiliar words
- Rewrite the Introduction in your own words
- Discuss what everyone wrote (split into smaller groups if needed)
DISCUSS: When is it okay to separate from someone or something?
Preamble
- Read pages 15-20
- NOTE: easier if you do one page at a time
- Define unfamiliar words
- Rewrite the Preamble in your own words
- After every page or two, discuss what everyone wrote (split into smaller groups if needed)
- Complete the questions on page 21, and then discuss your answers together
DISCUSS: What is the purpose of government?
Grievances
- Read pages 24-52
- NOTE: work on one page at a time
- Rewrite each grievance in your own words and then discuss
- TIP: Do as many grievances as works best for you (and their attention spans). We usually did about 3-4 a day.
AFTER FINISHING THE GRIEVANCES:
Complete page 52 individually and then discuss your answers.
Complete page 52 individually and then discuss your answers.
Denunciation of Britain
- Read page 54
- Answer the questions on page 55 and then discuss
Resolution of Independence
- Read page 58
- Answer the questions on page 59 and then discuss
Signers, Printings, and The End
- Read and discuss pages 60-63
- (optional) have students research a signer of their choice; it is interesting to figure out who they were, what they did, and how they died
DISCUSS: What do you think of the king’s response? How would you respond if you were the king?
โThe God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy, but cannot
disjoin them.โ
โ Thomas Jefferson
โ Thomas Jefferson