Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Jay
John Jay epitomized the selfless leader of the American Revolution. Born to a prominent New York family, John Jay gained notoriety as a lawyer in his home state. He favored a moderate approach to Britain but joined his fellow Patriots...
Wyzant
Wyzant: Claiming Freedom: The Declaration of Independence
Website with primary source material on the Declaration of Independence history, teaches students about why it was written, how it was recieved and accepted, and how it is structured.
US National Archives
National Archives: To Sign or Not to Sign
Use this lesson in the middle of a Revolutionary War unit. Middle schoolers will analyze sections of the Declaration of Independence to answer critical thinking questions. Upon completion of the unit, students will reevaluate their...
Other
Monticello: Brief Biography of Thomas Jefferson
Monticello.org provides a brief but detailed biography of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826 CE), 3rd President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Prequel to Independence
In this activity, students sequence key events leading to the Declaration of Independence by placing documents in chronological order.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
In this activity, students will review and analyze the founding documents of the United States and understand Benjamin Frankin's contributions and connections to these founding documents. Franklin was the only man to help shape all of...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Perspectives on the Fourth of July
[Free Registration/Login Required] A lesson plan from the online magazine, History Now, asks: How does the celebration of Fourth of July help us understand the ideals upon which the United States was founded?
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Politics in Colonial Virginia
This site explores the politics involved in Colonial Williamsburg, leading up to the American Revolution. Content focuses on famous speeches, documents, and influential people.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburgh: Meet the People: George Wythe
A short biographical sketch on George Wythe, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Virginia.
Read Works
Read Works: The Liberty Bell
[Free Registration/Login Required] Intended to support early elementary students' reading comprehension, Independence Hall's "Liberty Bell" is described in this informational text. Visual cues are provided to support the passage and...
Read Works
Read Works: Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Declaration of Independence and why it was written. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Analysis of the Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] This ReadWorks passage provides a brief analysis of the Declaration of Independence. A paired passage, a lower level passage with related content, a questions sheet, and an additional answer sheet are...
Read Works
Read Works: Colonization & Revolutionary War: The Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the creation of the Declaration of Independence. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Most Important Thing He Ever Wrote
Tells about Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence.
A&E Television
History.com: American Presidents: John Adams
This easy-to-navigate site has John Adams' biography, a timeline detailing some of the significant events in his life, an image gallery, and several video clips.
A&E Television
History.com: American Presidents: Thomas Jefferson
This easy-to-navigate site has Thomas Jefferson's biography, events in his life, an image gallery, several video clips.
A&E Television
History.com: Thomas Jefferson Videos: Declaration of Independence
A video featuring the Declaration of Independence. Tom Brokaw addresses why the Continental Congress found the need for the revolutionary document. [4:00]
Read Works
Read Works: The Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Declaration of Independence and why it was written. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
Connecticut Society of Sons of the American Revolution: The Price They Paid
Find out what really happened to the brave men who signed the Declaration of Independence. What has been put forth in popular literature is rebutted and explained through rigorous research.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Independence Day: Fundamental Ideas About Government
In this lesson, students will examine some of the fundamental ideas about government that is contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. When the lesson is completed, students should be able to...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson hoped that he would be remembered for three accomplishments: his founding of the University of Virginia, his crafting of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and his authorship of the Declaration of Independence....
CommonLit
Common Lit: "The Founding of American Democracy" by Jessica Mc Birney
A learning module that begins with "The Founding of American Democracy" by Jessica McBirney, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
CommonLit
Common Lit: The Declaration of America's Immense Offense
A learning module that begins with "The Declaration of America's Immense Offense" by BirdBrain History, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Declaration of Independence
The idea behind the Declaration of Independence and the process of writing it involved a great deal of thought and hand-wringing. Read about the three separate parts of the declaration, and the audiences for which the document was aimed.