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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
The Declaration of Independence, made by the second American Continental Congress and adopted July 4, 1776, announced the separation of the original thirteen North American British colonies from Great Britain making them into the United...
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Popular Sovereignty

For Students 9th - 10th
Summary of the idea of Popular Sovereignty, the belief that government is created by and subject to the will of the people.
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Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: John Hancock

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview and biographical facts on the life of John Hancock, patriot and leader of the Sons of Liberty. The signature of John Hancock was the first to be added to the Declaration of Independence.
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Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Thomas Jefferson

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father of the United States who drafted the Declaration of Independence and later became the third US President.
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Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Benjamin Franklin

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Benjamin Franklin, an inventor, scientist, and Founding Father who helped draw up the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
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Lesson Plan
Schools of California Online Resources for Education

Score: Colusa Community School: Independence Day!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Using the concept that a class has become an independent country, students work in groups to design symbols that depict their class. This activity not only teaches the history of American symbols, but it exercises higher-order thinking...
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Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: American Revolution for Kids: Declaration of Independence

For Students 4th - 8th
"We hold these truths to be self-evident." This infamous quote is part of the Declaration of Independence which Congress adopted on July 4, 1776. Read about the ideas contained in this document and take a quiz at the end to see what you...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Quartering Act of 1774

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides the full text of the Quartering Act passed by British Parliament in 1774.
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Handout
Other

Schoolhouse Rock: Fireworks

For Students 3rd - 5th
This site from Schoolhouse Rock, History Rock, provides the lyrics to the song, "Fireworks" about the Declaration of Independence. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence for the Continental Congress? When did they write it? What does...
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Graphic
Curated OER

Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776

For Students 9th - 10th
Thomas Jefferson had the task of writing the Declaration of Independence amongst the tense climate of the Revolutionary War. This site by EyeWitness to History details information surrounding the writing of this great document.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Printed Edition of the Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
View a webcast that explains the printing and distributing of the Declaration of Independence. The newspapers, as well as the people who published them, shed light on America in its infancy.