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Learning Activity: Examining the Declaration of Independence

CNN STUDENT NEWS

(CNN Student News) -- Your students will examine the Declaration of Independence and its significance throughout American history.

Procedure

Pose the following question to students for class discussion: What is the significance of the date July 4, 1776? Next, refer students to their texts or other resources to access copies of the Declaration of Independence. Have students read through the document, noting the specific grievances that America had with Great Britain. Then, refer students to the following passage from the document:

"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."

Instruct students to restate, in their own words, what this statement means to them. As a class, dissect the statement into the following phrases: "self-evident," "all men are created equal," unalienable rights," "Life," "Liberty," and "the pursuit of Happiness." Have students share their interpretation of the meaning of these phrases. Then, ask:

How were these "self-evident truths" used to justify America's declaration of independence from Great Britain?

How have the notions of equality and freedom been interpreted and challenged throughout the 230 years since the Declaration of Independence was written?

What are some modern-day examples of the notions of equality and freedom in action?

In what ways are the promises of equality and freedom tested in America today?

To what extent do you think that these "self-evident truths" principles have been realized in the United States?

Extension: Based on the information generated in the discussions, encourage students to brainstorm a list of suggestions for how Americans can recognize and celebrate July 4th.

Curriculum Connections

National Standards for Civics and Government

Standard II: What are the Foundations of the American Political System?

B. What are the distinctive characteristics of American society?

4. Diversity in American society. Students should be able to evaluate, take and defend positions on issues regarding diversity in American life. To achieve this standard, students should be able to describe conflicts that have arisen from diversity and explain the means by which some have been managed and explain why some conflicts have persisted unabated.

The National Standards for Civics and Government (http://www.civiced.org/912erica.htm/) are published by the Center for Civic Education (http://www.civiced.org/index.html).

National Social Studies Standards

Standard VI. Power, Authority and Governance

Students will understand the historical development of structures of power, authority and governance and their evolving functions in contemporary U.S. society as well as other parts of the world.

The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/) are published by the National Council for Social Studies (http://ncss.org/).

Keywords

Declaration of Independence, Independence Day, July 4, American government

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