The Hatmaker’s Sign; A Story by Benjamin Franklin

Links to More Information:-Timeline of Thomas Jefferson’s Life-Quotes from Thomas Jefferson-Drafting the Declaration

Author: Candace FlemingThe Hatmaker’s Sign; A Story by Benjamin FranklinOrchard Books, New York; 1998.

Book Summary: The book begins with Thomas Jefferson feeling hurt because members of the Congress want to change parts of the Declaration which he had worked so hard to draft. Benjamin Franklin then tells him the story of the hatmaker’s sign. In this story, a hatmaker’s sign is changed by many people until eventually there is nothing on the sign.

Setting: Philadelphia in 1776.

Objective: Students will understand the role of Thomas Jefferson in the making of the Declaration of Independence.

Trina Chewning Rock Hill, SC Winthrop University 2010

How would you feel if you were Thomas Jefferson?

• Imagine that you are Thomas Jefferson. Write a diary entry about how you feel the day that everybody wants to change the Declaration of Independence that you had worked so hard on.

What would your declaration be?

• Write a declaration either to me or your parents about something you want.

• The declaration can be for a privilege such as extra recess time, no homework, extra computer time, or something else that you really want.

What would you say?

• Role play the discussion that took place when Thomas Jefferson first presented his draft of the Declaration in Independence Hall.

• Discuss parts that others in Congress wished to change.

Standards

• NCSS People, Places, and Environments

• South CarolinaStandard 4-3: The student will demonstrate an

understanding of the conflict between the American colonies and England.

Indicator 4-3.2: Summarize the roles of principal American, British, and European leaders involved in the conflict, including King George III, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, and the Marquis de Lafayette. (H, P)

Resources

• http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/pin:@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3a10227))

• http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/bdsbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(bdsdcc+02101))

• http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/gmd:@field(NUMBER+@band(g3824p+ct000294))