Students are often familiar with the language of the Declaration of Independence and the reasons for writing it, but often overlooked are the ideas in this document that have helped to establish American values that we continue to appreciate today. John Locke strongly influenced Thomas Jefferson in composing this crucial document in the fight for freedom. By exploring part of the path that Jefferson took in forming his thoughts, students will have an authentic history lesson that brings the journey of America’s independence to life. The work-time activity for students will help develop their writing skills by requiring them to select and interpret a quote from a primary source, relate it to another document, and explain its current relevance using examples. Making a present-day connection helps students understand what it meant to fight for freedom and how important it is to preserve it today.
Download : Declaration of Independence Lesson Plan
Parent resource coming soon!
I just found your organization. I am a parent of a college freshman and a junior in high school. Both boys. I have been watching the attack first on white boys and men, now white people in general and now girls with the passage of the new legislation that allows boys to compete against girls and allows boys to enter into places that were just for women. My kids attended a private K-12 school and it wasn’t until the last 4-5 years that CRT started to creep in. I want to be able to find a way to present history, all of America’s history that doesn’t divide people but through the knowledge of actual events brings us together. I want the students to simple hear the truth. They are only being taught one side. Speakers come to school and push white privilege, anti-racism on and on. There is nothing countering those ideas. If this is allowed to continue America will be lost as it was founded. I’m just reaching out to try and find resources to put together some type of program that can get into schools, a speaker series, videos, something to counter the destructive ideas being present and taught to our youth.