The Declaration of Independence? What’s that?

Read through or follow along with each slide depending on what they are asking.

After each slide, click on the to go to the next slide.

To go back to the beginning, click on the and it will go to the home page.

Lastly, have fun!

Directions

For this activity, we will be taking a look at the Declaration of Independence and the people behind it. We will learn a lot, but will have fun doing it. So let’s start!

Ok! Now where should we begin?

The Declaration of Independence

People Behind the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence!!

Let’s go!!!

The Declaration of Independence is one of if not the most important documents in American history. During the Revolutionary War, a few brave men risked their lives to make it. Now let’s go learn about the importance of this document and the men who risked their live to make it!

The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

It was a statement of the reasons for why the Colonists wanted to split from England.

Information

Let’s look at some of the key parts of the Declaration of independence!

The Preamble: it is the outline for the whole thing. Let’s look at the first paragraph.“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all

men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Unalienable rights are rights that cannot be taken away. (Hint: Remember the rights )

Information

Now it’s time to look at the accusations against King George.“He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent

hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in the time of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our Legislatures.”

A closer look at the two statements tells us that King George has made many new offices, political offices, and sent people to bother the colonists and take their things. The second tells us that there are armies in the colonies during peace times.

Information

King George did many things to annoy and harass the colonists. Another famous thing he did was Taxation without Representation. That means that he taxed the colonies, but he didn’t let them have a voice in the government.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the continental congress on July 4, 1776 and it was fully signed by the 56 representatives on August 2, 1776.

Information

The Declaration of Independence was a statement by the Continental Congress that stated their reasons for separating from England. The statements were all accusations against King George. This document changed it from the American Colonies to the United States of America.

Summary

Now please watch this video on the Declaration of Independence and if you want to see the complete text click here.

The Declaration of Independence

During the time of the Declaration of Independence, there were some people who supported it and some who said they were fine with King George and England.

Given what you already know, pick a side on this debate and write down why you chose that particular side, giving specific examples.

Activity

Write here!

Support the RevolutionHe taxed us too

much.He killed innocent

colonists.He has troops in the

colony.He takes all of our

money.I just want to be

free.

He is the king and can kill us if we lose.

He will protect us from other countries.

We are supposed to obey him.

He had valid reasons for everything he did.

England is better than some new country.

Activity- were these some of your reasons?

Support King George

Good job!! Thanks for doing that!

Please read and answer the whole question based on the previous slides.

Then choose the correct answer.If wrong, please try again.Once finished, go back to the home screen,

home button and do the other lesson.

Quiz Directions

Quiz time! Time to show what you have learned!

Good luck!!

1. When was the Declaration of Independence written and adopted by the Continental Congress?A.) August 4, 1776B.) July 4, 1776C.) June 16, 1774D.) July 4, 1976

Quiz

Great Job! It was July 4, 1776!

So close! (Hint: It isn’t August or

1976.)

2. What are the 3 unalienable rights?A.) Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of HappinessB.) Love, Death, and HealthC.) Life, Liberty and Happy meals

Quiz

Way to go!It is Life, Liberty and the

pursuit of Happiness!

Great try!(Hint: It isn’t Happy meals.)

3. Who was the Declaration of Independence talking about?A.) King HenryB.) King GeorgeC.) Curious George

Quiz

Fantastic!! It was King George

Almost! Try again!(Hint: Curious George is a monkey.)

Wow! 3 out of 3!Great Job! Now let’s do the

other part!

The PeopleBehind the Declaration

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson was the main author of the

Declaration of Independence.He was only 33 years old when he began

writing it.He wrote it on a hand-made lap desk of his

own design.

Famous People

King George IIIThe king of Great Britain before and after the

Revolutionary War.The Declaration of Independence made

accusations against him.An uproar called the Boston Tea Party came

after he proposed a tax on tea.

Famous People

John HancockWas the president of the Continental

Congress.Famous for his huge signature on the

Declaration of Independence. He was the first of the 56 signers of the

Declaration of Independence.

Famous People

Theses were just a few of the many famous people that affected the Declaration of Independence and changed our country forever. All of the Americans who signed the Declaration risked their lives by signing it because if the British would have won, they would have been put to death. We can thank these and so many other brave Americans for the freedom we enjoy today.

Summary

John Hancock was known for his big and flamboyant signature. Now it is your turn. Take out a piece of paper and practice writing your signature, but they have to be large and fancy! Have fun!

Activity

Wasn’t that fun?Now you can sign

Like John Hancock too!

Quiz time! Don’t Worry!It’s a piece

of cake!

1. What was King George III the king of?A.) Great BritainB.) MexicoC.) The whole world

Quiz

Correct!It was Great Britain!

So close! (Hint: The people there

speak English.)

2. John Hancock was the president of what?A.) The United States of AmericaB.) Purdue UniversityC.) The Continental Congress

Quiz

Way to go!It Was the Continental

Congress!

Good try!(Hint: Purdue wasn’t a

school back then.)

3. On what did Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence?A.) On his Mac LaptopB.) On his seatC.) On a lap desk

Quiz

You got it!It was on a lap desk!

Almost got it!(Hint: He can’t write on the

thing he is sitting on.)

Way to go!!You got all of them right!

Thank you for playing! I hope you had fun and learned something along the way. I also hope that when you hear people talking about the Declaration of Independence or the people behind it that you will add to the conversation. See you again next time!

Conclusion