BAA Declaration

7/31/2019 BAA Declaration

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An American Primer: The FoundingDocuments

The curriculum, Beingan American:

Exploring the Idealsthat Unite Us, wasmade possible by a

generous grant fromthe Hatton W.

Sumners Foundation.


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Six core lesson plans withextension activities

American Heroes-Character Cards

Understand the

importance of the Americanexperiment

Declaration of

Independence

Being an American: Exploring The Ideals That Unite Us


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Being An American: Exploring the Ideals that Unite Us

Lesson Overview

QuoteSummaryObjectivesMaterials List

Lesson PlanBackgroundWarm-UpActivityHomeworkExtensions

Handouts

Answer KeyFounding DocumentsSuggested Readings


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Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts &Literacy in History/Social Studies

8. Delineate and evaluate the reasoning in seminal U.S. texts,

including the application of constitutional principles anduse of legal reasoning (e.g., in U.S. Supreme Courtmajority opinions and dissents) and the premises,purposes, and arguments in works of public advocacy

(e.g., The Federalist, presidential addresses).9. Analyze seventeenth-, eighteenth-, and nineteenth-

century foundational U.S. documents of historical andliterary significance (including The Declaration of

Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, the Bill ofRights, and Lincolns Second Inaugural Address) for theirthemes, purposes, and rhetorical features.


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The Declaration of Independence states thatgovernments are established by

1. the consent of the governed.

2. a decent respect for the opinions of mankind.

needs.

3. a power that can keep all men in awe.

4. a revolutionary movement against the existingorder.

5. not sure


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What does the Declaration ofIndependence reveal about American

ideals?

The Declaration of Independence, John Trumbull, completed in 1794
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Scene_at_the_Signing_of_the_Constitution_of_the_United_States.png


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The Declaration of Independence

The object of the Declarationof Independenceto be anexpression of the Americanmind, and to give to that

expression the proper toneand spirit called for by theoccasion.

~Thomas Jefferson, 1825Thomas Jefferson,by Rembrandt

Peale, (1800)


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On the distinctive principlesof the Governmentof theUnited States, the best

guides are to be foundinthe Declaration ofIndependence, as thefundamental Act of Unionof these States. ~JamesMadison, 1825


James MadisonbyJohn Vanderlyn, (1816)


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Declaration Scavenger Hunt (Handout A, p. 4) Tell

how the person, idea or item was or is related to theDeclaration of Independence (Appendix A).


Thomas Jefferson Natural Rights

ContinentalCongress The Lee Resolution Common Sense

John Hancock John Locke

Revolutionary War Sacred Honor Social Compact


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See pages 116 118; Refer to Handout B (p. 5)

Work in 6 small groups to identify the purpose(s) and key ideasof your assigned part of the Declaration of Independence.(Instructions to students noteDont get bogged down inunfamiliar vocabulary)


Group 1: Paragraph 1Introduction

Group 2: Paragraphs 2 & 3Preamble

Group 3: Paragraphs 4 & following Indictment (From He hasforbidden his Governors to For quartering large bodies

of troops)Group 4: Indictment continuedFor quartering large bodies of

troops to In every stage of these oppressionsGroup 5: DenunciationNor have we been wanting (bottom p.

117)

Group 6: ConclusionWe therefore, the Representatives


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Why is the signatures section important?

Explain We mutually pledge to eachother our Lives, our Fortunes, and oursacred Honor.

Why include a long list of grievances?

What was the reason for pointing out

that the colonists had tried to get theKing to change the way he treatedthem?

Which section do you believe was themost important section? Why?



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Handout C: Key Excerpts

Working with a partner ortwo, analyze the excerptsfrom the Declaration andunderline words or phrasesyou think are important.

How should we understandall men are createdequal?



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1. What do you think unalienablerights means?

2. How could the ContinentalCongress approve this documentwhen so many of its membersowned slaves?

3. Does the fact that many of thesemen owned slaves mean theseideals are wrong or less important?

Discussion Questions,

Handout C


Thomas JeffersonCharles Willson

Peale, (1791)


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Debrief (Discussion Questions, p. 3)As Americans, what reasons do we have to be proud

of this document?What does the Declaration tell the world about the

United States?Are the Declarations ideals outdated, or are they still

true today?Do these ideals matter to you? If so, how and why?

Handout D: A Note on the SignersWe mutuallypledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes andour sacred Honor.



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The Declaration of Independence states thatgovernments are established by

1. the consent of the governed.

2. a decent respect for the opinions of mankind.

needs.

3. a power that can keep all men in awe.

4. a revolutionary movement against the existingorder.

5. not sure


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