1. Declaration of Independence
Close Read
Bellwork: Explain the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

2. First Read Read part 1 (preamble) and part 2 (rights)
Highlight anything that has been influenced by enlightened ideas.
Circle all words that you do not understand.

3. In your group
Come up with definitions for the words you do not understand.

4. Second Read Read Part 1 Paraphrase part 1 into your own words

5. Third read Read part 1 Summarize part 1 in less than 20 words

7. Declaration of Independence
Grievances group activity

8. Part 3 of the declaration of independence are the grievances/complaints
Remember: The colonists did not only want to declare independence, they wanted the world to see that their cause for rebellion was just.
The list of grievances prove that the colonists were mistreated by the king.
“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.”

9. Who is “He”?
Many of the grievances start with “He has….” In these cases, Thomas Jefferson is referring to the king.

10. Activity
You will, along with your group, paraphrase these grievances/complaints.
I will assign different grievances/complaints to different groups.
You will paraphrase these grievances/complaints into a twitter message (tweet).

11. Expectations
Remember that each paraphrase cannot go over 140 characters.
Each paraphrase must end in a #hashtag.
You are expected to remain focused on the classwork and this document for the entire class
If you or anyone in your group is not focused on the word your group will lose points
Every individual student will turn in their work.
Not one assignment for each group.

12. Example (I do)
Grievance 1 – “He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good…”
The king refuses to let us have our own laws #nojustice

13. Example 2 (I do)
Grievance 2 – “He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.”
The king wont let us be represented in government because we wont let him take our rights away #norepresentation

14. Example 3 (We do)
Grievance 3 “He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.”
The king wont let us have our own courts, he has taken our justice #BringBackOurCourts

15. Activity
Each group will chose FOUR grievances and summarize each of them into a tweet.
Remember the hashtag
And be creative

16. Answer the following questions
1) What is the most “Quotable” line in this document? (Something that would be put on a tombstone or tattoo)
2) Who is the primary author of this document? You may need to ask or look it up
3) What are the three main ideas the author borrowed from the John Locke?
4) From where does Government get its power? Provide evidence from the text
4) What is the purpose of each part of the document?
A) Preamble
B) Rights
C) Complaints
D) Attempts to address complaints
E) Declaring independence
5) What is the overall purpose of the document? (Hint! It is more than just declaring independence)

17. Bellwork
Analyze the political and cultural events that led to the independence of the British colonies in America.
List as many reasons as you can as to why the Americans were upset with the British