Declaration of Independence Activity Kit

Declaration of Independence Activity Kit

$6.00

Explore the Declaration of Independence’s Enlightened influences that shaped the foundation of the United States government with this all-in-one kit.

Included are a lecture, source close read, and card sort activity.

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Description

This multi-activity lesson sequence was designed specifically for a Civics & Government class and can be done well in about 3 class periods.

This lecture and source analysis activity kit covers

  • Origins and impact of the Age of Enlightenment as a whole
  • Key Enlightened principles from thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau
  • Declaration of Independence illustrating these principles throughout its broad statements and specific grievances

Embedded supports include

  • Teacher script with every lecture slide
  • Visually organized guided notes accompanying the lecture
  • Paraphrased text of Declaration for leveled reading option

Included in this complete lesson kit:

    • Teacher Overview with detailed lesson plans, including various implementation options to suit your classroom needs and key takeaways
    • 22-slide Google Slides Lecture (1-click download to PowerPoint) covering the 5 key Enlightened principles that most influenced the US Government, with slide-by-slide teacher script and student guided notes sheets
      — Rationalism
      — Natural Rights
      — Limited Government
      — Republicanism
      — Social Contract
    • Declaration of Independence’s Enlightened Influences with background context, source analysis and annotating tasks, and paraphrased options for lower readers
    • Card Sort Review/Assessment Activity with multiple ways to formatively or summatively assess learning
    • Editable Google files of all lecture and close read activities (sorting cards are only in non-editable PDF)
  • Answer Keys

NOTE: It’s highly recommended, but not required, to teach this Enlightened Thinkers’s Influences Kit right before this. Because they are so closely linked, the lecture kit is the same for both resources.

 

This resource is 31 PDF pages, 22 slides, and Google files.

What grades is this intended for?
This was designed for a mixed-ability high school level. If you have strong middle schoolers and are willing to possibly tailor this a bit, if necessary, then it could work for lower grades. Please look over the description and preview closely to decide. 

What supports are included? How can I modify this?
Activities are built with included supports to accommodate varying needs: graphic organizers, step-by-step chunking, two options for different reading levels.

Student materials come in editable Google file versions to allow you to modify activities by shortening, re-leveling, translating, or using text-to-speech software to support student needs. 

Can I use this in a homeschooling setting?

Sure! While these activities were designed for a traditional classroom setting, they can also be used in a solo or small-group setting.

Is this editable? What file types does this resource come in?

The main resource is a secured, non-editable PDF file intended to be printed. Included are links to editable Google files of all the student materials.

What standards does this address?

Several! Standards vary, but this resource supports these from various states:

  • Analyze major intellectual influences in primary sources that contributed to the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights
  • Identify individuals whose ideas influenced American government, like Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Paine
  • Identify grievances in the Declaration in terms of various enlightened principles
  • Analyze sources for central idea; identify text evidence to support claims

What are the terms of use for this resource?

This resource, including all ancillary files, may be used as needed for regular, non-commercial single-classroom use between a teacher and their students. 

This includes printing copies and sharing digital files with students through a secure platform, like Google Classroom or Canvas, email, or a classroom-only shared drive.

The using and sharing of any part of this resource in any manner outside the above-mentioned capacity is strictly prohibited. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to,

  • posting files on the open internet or in a Facebook group
  • emailing files to or sharing print copies with others (without purchasing additional licenses)
  • uploading or storing files in a shared cloud drive accessible by anyone other than students
  • including any part, or any derivative work, within any commercial endeavor like curriculum development, professional training, or for-profit teaching like Outschool, or selling this resource as your own in either print or digital formats

Doing so violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), copyright law, and these terms.

By downloading this resource from Let’s Cultivate Greatness, the original user has been granted one license for a single teacher (or number of teachers matching the number of licenses purchased) and their students at any one time. 

Let’s Cultivate Greatness retains the full copyright of this resource.

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