+
Website
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids

For Students 3rd - 5th
Take a tour of the federal government with Uncle Sam and learn the story of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the three branches of government, and elections. Along the way learn how laws are made, about the Bill of...
+
Activity
US National Archives

Nara: Charters of Freedom: Constitution of the United States

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive overview of the U.S. Constitution. Places the Constitution in context with two other founding charters of American democracy and government, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Includes access to digital...
+
Article
Other

Archiving Early America: Greg Bailey: Blackstone in America

For Students 9th - 10th
Sir William Blackstone, attorney at law, unsuspecting, created quite a stir in England when he began a lecture series in 1758. His delivery may have led to the turning point in the development of colonies in the New World and directly...
+
PPT
Google Cultural Institute

Google Cultural Institute: Witness to War

For Students 9th - 10th
Photographic collection illustrates key events in the years following the declaration of Irish Independence in 1919.
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Electric Ben Franklin

For Students 9th - 10th
If it has to do with Benjamin Franklin, then you will probably find it here. There is much information about Franklin, his lightning experiment, Philadelphia, the Declaration, and more.
+
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...
+
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Texas Revolution

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart gives an overview of the Texas Revolution. Using a mind map and a time line, students are visually drawn in to the events leading up to Texas gaining independence from Mexico. Links to...
+
Website
PBS

Pbs: New Perspectives on the West

For Students 9th - 10th
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
+
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.
+
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...
+
PPT
Virginia History Series

Virginia History Series: Virginia Becomes a State [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 8th
Virginia played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War and the creation of our new government. This slideshow uses pictures, graphs, and a detailed timeline showing the major events in Virginia from 1760-1800.
+
Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Thomas Jefferson (Spanish)

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography on Thomas Jefferson with pictures and links.
+
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.
+
Website
British Library

British Library: The American Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of the British Library's On-line Gallery series. This section explores, in comprehensive detail, the American Revolution. The Gallery includes an introduction, a timeline of events and lots of documentary and pictorial evidence....
+
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: John Adams

For Students 9th - 10th
A great in-depth biography of John Adams. Topics include: his life before the presidency, campaigns and elections, domestic affairs, foreign affairs, and life after the presidency. Links to the first lady, his Cabinet members, and Staff...
+
Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Presidents: Novariglus,february 6,1775

For Students 9th - 10th
John Adams' response in this critical essay to the definition of the "British Empire", not an empire as other European monarchies, but a republic by constitution. Link to "Massachusettensis" for a Biography of Daniel Leonard.
+
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Journals of the Continental Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
These journals from the Continental Congress of the United States will provide students with a greater understanding of the foundations of American government as established in the late 18th century. Includes handwritten documents by...
+
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...
+
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...
+
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.
+
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.
+
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.
+
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...
+
Handout
Other

Colonial Hall: John Adams 1735 1826

For Students 9th - 10th
This Colonial Hall site gives a great outlined biographical site of former U.S. president, John Adams.