1. The Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson, signed July 4th, 1776
Read ONLY the Preamble
Discuss the information from the 1st paragraph with your team members.
After the discussion, verbalize a one sentence summary of the paragraph and finally write a one sentence summary.

2. What does preamble mean? Give evidence from the text.
Is the writer educated? Give evidence
What does “dissolve the political bands” mean?
If a country must break away from their government, what is required?
What do you think this document will be about? Why do you think that?
Share a summary your group discussed.

3. Read the Declaration of Natural Rights.
Circle any words you may find interesting or any words you may not be able to define.
Discuss this section with your team.
Begin to attempt to answer Anchor Statement #2 (Identify one central idea you may think the author may develop in this text.)

4. What words did you circle? What do you think a self-evident means?
Instituted? Deriving? Transient? Disposed?
What rights are we naturally born with?
How does a government gain its powers?
What do you think the central theme is at this time? Why?
When is it ok for people to overthrow their government?

5. Read the opening paragraph of the List of Grievances.
Discuss it with your team members.
Answer the questions below:
What is the “theme” or “central idea” stated in this paragraph? What purpose does it serve?

6. Skim through the 27 different grievances. What does grievance mean?
Who are the grievances against?
Rewrite 10 of the grievances as if they were a tweet. ie. <140 characters, hashtags, slang
Example from # 1
“KGIII won’t pass laws 4 R good. #tyrant #necessaryforpublicgood #hesgottago”

7. Read The Resolution of Independence by the United States
Who is the Supreme Judge of the world?
What does absolved mean?
What does “a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence” mean?
What is the overall purpose of this section?

8. What about this “declaration?
“Too Late to Apologize a Declaration”

9. Compare & Contrast
Compare the Declaration of Independence to music video in the areas of:
Main Characters
Setting
Main Ideas
Author’s Point of View
Tone (Author’s attitude toward his/her topic)
Mood (Atmosphere author creates through the use of word choice, style, and craft)