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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Jefferson's "Original Rough Draught"

For Students 9th - 10th
Readers can explore a reconstruction of Thomas Jefferson's original rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, before it was revised by the members of the Committee of Five.
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Lesson Plan
George Mason University

George Mason University: Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Source analysis of the Declaration of Independence including text, audio, and video resources. Contains a scholarly analysis along with teacher discussion of relevant lesson plans. Includes images and transcript of the Declaration of...
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Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: Declaring Independence: Drafting the Documents

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Library of Congress provides a timeline of the events surrounding the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Click around the Exhibits Home Page for some fantastic treasures housed in the Exhibit Hall.
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Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Thomas Jefferson (Spanish)

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography on Thomas Jefferson with pictures and links.
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Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: John Locke

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The University of Groningen provides information about the 17th century British liberal philosopher. Includes concise biographical information and a link to the text of "A Letter Concerning Toleration." Read about what part of his...
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Declare the Causes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Offers lesson plans that guide students to understanding the structure of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout the course of the lesson, students will be working on writing their own declaration of grievances relative to issues in...
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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: American Literature: Declaration of Independence [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This is a 6-page PDF of The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America, better known as The Declaration of Independence.
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Unit Plan
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: Ap Us History Study Guide, Period Three: 1754 1800

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Comprehensive learning module for AP U.S. History on the imperial struggle over control of the American colonies, the emergence of a new republic, and the developing social, political and economic...
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Website
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: American Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of Fordham University's Internet Modern History Sourcebook, this site gives historical background and extensive web resources on American Independence.
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Lesson Plan
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
September 17 is recognized in the United States as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The purpose of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is to commemorate the creation and signing of the supreme law of the land and to honor and...
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Primary
US National Archives

National Archives and Records Administration: America's Founding Documents

For Students 9th - 10th
Original founding documents supported by explanations and articles. Includes the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
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Primary
US National Archives

Nara: Charters of Freedom: From Loyal Subjects to Rebels: A Royal Proclamation

For Students 9th - 10th
Primary source material on the British documents, Magna Carta and 1857 painting Pulling Down the Statue of King George III by William Walcutt.
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Website
NPR: National Public Radio

Npr: A Living Document

For Students 9th - 10th
Listen and read along as news reporters from NPR recite the Declaration of Independence.
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eBook
World Wide School

World Wide School: Thomas Jefferson

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive online biography of Thomas Jefferson written by Edward S. Ellis. Includes a search index, a large set of questions, special study ideas, and several essays on Jeffersonian topics.
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Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: Declaring Independence: Drafting the Documents

For Students 9th - 10th
This page from the Library of Congress links directly to a chronology of events leading to the declaration of independence from Great Britain, the drafting of the document, and Jefferson's vison as stated in the Declaration of Independence.
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: Declaration of Independence (1776)

For Students 9th - 10th
The Our Documents group provides a look at the original, signed Declaration of Independence as well as a print version distributed soon after the original was signed. View and learn about the document and its history. RI.9-10.9 US Documents
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: American Revolutionary War

For Students 9th - 10th
This article on the American Revolutionary War looks at its causes, the phases of the war, naval warfare, the involvement of other countries, the Treaty of Paris, the different groups of combatants, and the impact of the war.
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Primary
Henry J. Sage

Sage American History: The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies

For Students 9th - 10th
Text of The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies with which the Continental Congress declares independence from Britain. Original wording.
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs Online/the American Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
Information packed game that takes you on a journey through the lead-up to the Revolutionary War, the Revolutionary War itself, and beyond to the Bill of Rights. Hyperlinks to other articles in this great site.
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Activity
PBS

Pbs: Timeline of the Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
A timeline beginning at the ascension of King George of England in 1760 and ending at the passing of the US Bill of Rights, is brief but informative. A Revolutionary War game, as well as other educational sites are available.
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Primary
PBS

Revolution: Rough Draft of the Declaration of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Read the original rough draft written by Thomas Jefferson declaring independence from England. In his rough draft he railed against King George III for creating ans sustaining slave trade. It was this phrase which the delegates of the...
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Article
PBS

Pbs Liberty!: Independence! Philadelphia 1776

For Students 6th - 8th
The newspaper layout makes it simple to read the accounts of the reaction to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The article includes valuable links including an introduction to Thomas Paine and his role in this event.
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Primary
PBS

Pbs: Archive of Thomas Jefferson's Documents

For Students 9th - 10th
A PBS website that contains Jefferson's views on political, religious, social, personal, and intellectual freedoms in the form of his original documents. Contains the Louisiana Purchase agreement. Tied to a larger site on a Jefferson...