1. The Declaration of Independence: Guided Reading

2. Leading up to the Declaration of Independence
In 1773, the 13 colonies were a rather happy place. They were prosperous, content, and still felt connected to the British Empire. However, in just a few short years all of this would change.
During the years of 1773 through 1776, the 13 colonies became more unhappy with the British Empire. They felt unfairly taxed, heavily monitored, and ignored when problems were presented. As these problems became more obvious, deeper issues, such as political differences, came to light. The two sides became more confrontational, and the 13 colonies were ready to declare themselves free from the British Empire.
In 1774, the Continental Congress was formed. The group sent a list to King George III declaring their grievances with England. This list was ignored, so they sent a second list. When the second list was again ignored, the colonists decided to rebel and declare their independence. Five people were appointed to write the Declaration of Independence, the document that established the United States as a nation. Although Thomas Jefferson was the main writer of the document, he showed several drafts to Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston before the final draft was presented.
On July 4, 1776, the 56 delegates officially signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring themselves a new nation, the United States of America. Now that we have reviewed the events that led to its signing, we should discuss what exactly the document contained, and why its contents were important.

3. Author’s Purpose: Intent for the reader
The main purpose of the Declaration was to announce the colonies as separate from England. It outlines the principles that were the foundation for declaring independence. The Declaration of Independence consists of five parts: the introduction, the preamble, the indictment of King George III, the denunciation of the British Government, and the conclusion.

4. Thomas Jefferson Turn to page 238: Read Meet the author
Write 4 interesting facts about Jefferson
Text Analysis: Argument
Define: argument, claim, support, counterarguments/counterclaims, purpose, audience
Vocabulary in Context:
List and define the words in the left and column.

5. The Declaration of Independence
Targeted Passage: Lines 7-15
This passage established the right of the ___________ to control their ___________.
According to the document, what rights do people have that cannot be taken away? (Line 9)
How do governments get their power? (Lines 10-11)
When do people have the right to form a new government? (Lines 11-13)

6. Writing Break!
At the time of the writing of The Declaration of Independence, England was one of the most powerful nations in the world. Evaluate the decision to abandon the ties to England’s economic power while simultaneously challenging its formidable military might.

7. Legislative, Judicial, Military, Trade
Mark each grievances as one of the four categories– like this:
Grievance 9: judicial/military
*There may be some with more than one!

8. Reading Fluency
Parallel Structure: repetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us;
For protecting them, by a mock trial, for punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States;
*Pausing between both statements adds both clarity and emphasis.
Practice saying the phrases to eachother putting emphasis on different words!

9. Parallelism from the Greats
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.’
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.” –Martin Luther King Jr

10. “My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.” - Barack Obama
“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” - John F. Kennedy

11. Targeted Passage: Lines 59-76
This passage identifies legislation from ______________ that the colonies oppose.
Why do the colonies oppose quartering the king’s troops?
Why do they oppose the king’s taxes?
Why do they oppose Parliament making laws for them?

12. Targeted Passage Lines 105-116
This passage concludes the Declaration of Independence with a formal statement of the Colonies’ right to____________________.
What do the United Colonies declare to the world?
What do they say about their ties to Great Britain?
What powers of government do they claim for their independent state?

13. Grievances
Pick 4 grievances the Colonists talk about in The Declaration of Independence to focus on.
Paraphrase your four grievances, making sure to tell me what exactly the King was doing and why it would have made the colonists mad.