This week in the RBE Library, 5th grade students will be enriching their learning about the American Revolution, with a webquest about the Declaration of Independence.
This was a very important and exciting time in our nation’s past that we want our students to not only understand, but experience. Click here for the Activity Page referred to below. For the Activity Page Rubric, click here.
Following this research activity RBE students will create a Political Cartoon using iPads and a combination of the DoodleBuddy and ComicLife apps. Some students will use Publisher on the computer to create a comic strip as well. Click here for the Political Cartoon Rubric and click here for a blank draft of the comic strip.
Declaration of Independence Webquest Start
Begin Activity #1: Introduction & Questions
Activity #1: Write down 3 questions you have about the Declaration of Independence on your activity page. As you come across the answers during the course of this activity, be sure to come back to them and write down the answer and your source for the answer!
2nd Continental Congress
Activity #2: Read the following excerpt and complete the Cause & Effect diagram on your activity sheet.
Activity #3: Read more about John Adams. He played an important role in the forming and early governing of this nation. What role did he play in the 2nd Continental Congress and with the Declaration of Independence? Fill that in on your activity sheet.
Begin Activity #4: Time to Part?
Was it time for the American colonies to declare independence from Britain?
Click here to read about the 2nd Continental Congress’ decision to declare independence.
Then, read about Thomas Paine and his famous pamphlet, Common Sense below.
Activity #4: Watch the video below of the vote to declare independence. Also look at the pictures of Independence Hall and the Continental Congress. On your activity sheet, write what you would have done during this vote as a member of the Continental Congress. Write as a journal entry like the example provided.
Begin Activity #5: Writing The Declaration of Independence
“The Declaration announced to the world on July 4, 1776, that thirteen British colonies in North America were leaving Great Britain to form a separate nation, called the United States of America. In justifying the revolution, the Declaration asserted a universal truth about human rights.” -from the National Archives
Read about when and who signed the Declaration of Independence on Ben’s Guide to US Government for Kids. Then, read about the Declaration of Independence from The Charters of Freedom courtesy of the National Archives. On the National Archives page, click on the image of the Declaration of Independence for details about the original document.
Activity #5: Thomas Jefferson was an important revolutionary leader. Read more about him.What was his role in the writing of the Declaration of Independence?
Watch the video below from National Tresure, where they talk about what the character in the movie thinks is the coolest line from the Declaration of Independence. Then, read over the other lines on your activity sheet taken from the Declaration of Independence. You can use the Dictionary Search box on the right side to look up words you don’t know. Which do you think is the coolest line? Vote here when you decide!
The End & Extra Activities
This is the end of your Declaration of Independence Webquest. Make sure that you answered your 3 questions in Activity #1 that you wrote down at the beginning. If you didn’t find all the answers you are looking for, feel free to come visit with me in the library and we can hook you up with some great books! Also, ever wonder what’s on the back of the Declaration of Independence? Click here to find out!
Also, if you would like to, you can add your signature to the Declaration of Independence and print it out by clicking here!
5
I choose 5 because our voices need to be heard.
I choose 5
I too choose number 5
A prince,whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of free people
A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may defined a tyrant, is until to be the ruler of a free people.
i vote # 1 because it talks about mankind having freedom this website helps
The first one because no matter what we are all equal.
it was pretty good
I choose line one because it represents freedom and independence of the United States.
number 1
i chose #5
I agree with one! It sounds cool, and it means that everyone is the same even if you want to do something that other people think is weird. BE YOURSELF!
I agree with 1. I agree with this because the line ” We hold these truths to be self-evident…” is true and pure. I also agree because it says ” … that all men are created equal …” this means women too and means that nobody is better than one another.
thx
i picked 5 because it’s saying we need to make peace .
I loved this website. I learned so much stuff from this website
chose line 1 I mean
I choose line it really got into me and I loved how they spoke they don’t even speak like that in these days
I Like it
Thank you
1
# 4 is by far the best because we deserve to be treated correctly
number 5
I THINK IT IS #1 BECAUSE IT GIVES THE MOST INFORMATION OF FREEDOM AND IT SOUNDS COOL WITH THE WORD UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, CAUSE IT HAS THE WORD ALIEN IN IT .
#1
#1
I pick 1 because it is a very good true line…
Number 1!!!
number 1 because i thought it was cool and interesting
I chose #1 because it talks about our rights,and that is important in life!
I chose #1
This is an excellent video and teaching tool for students. How can I get access to the actual script? Please advise. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Rhonda Lampkin
#1 because it states a fact and it also is a very important statement.
I chose line number 1 because it is true that all men and women are created equal!
i think that it is line #1 because that is a right everyone should have
i pick line 4
i like how they made the videos
This was very cool. I voted all
I picked line one because it stated that all men are created equal. It also states we all have the rights of life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness.
I choose the line “all men are created equal” It means a lot in today’s history
I picked line one on The Declaration of Independence because the famous line All men are created equal and I like that line
What movie is the Declaration thing that they model the old colonies thing from. The other one not National Treasue. because the scene is cool.
I pick 1 because number one istates that all men are created equal.
Extremely true
I picked number 1 because it says “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights”. This line stunned me (in a good way)
who started the Declaration?
thomas jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
1. because it talks about freedom of people and independence
1# because it states the truth and because it says were all eqaul
1. because its says were all equal
I chose #1 because it states the truth
i picked 4 because it talked about freedom
i picked number 1 because it shows that were all free
yes
I agree
It was awesome
I liked it
YES
yes
HI