Foundations of American Government
Session 4: Declaration of Independence

Materials

• Textbook
• “Virginia Declaration of Rights — First Paragraph” (Attachment D)
• Computer with Internet access

Instructional Activities

1. Display a transparency of the first paragraph of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. The document can be found at  <http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/virginia.htm>.
   
   
2. Ask students to use their handout titled “Virginia Declaration of Rights — First Paragraph” (Attachment D) and their textbook to identify words or phrases from the excerpt of the Virginia Declaration of Rights that are also contained in the Declaration of Independence. Underline these on the overhead transparency.
   
   
3. Discuss the authors of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Explain that both men were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment. (NOTE: While students do not need to know details about the Enlightenment and its influence, an overview will help them understand why ideas and phrases are repeated in many documents.)
   
   
4. Help students review the important elements of the Declaration of Independence. (Examples: Underline six grievances the colonists had against the king. Circle the statement that actually declares the independence.)
   
   
5. Have students pretend to be Thomas Jefferson. Tell them to write a paragraph urging their fellow delegates to sign the Declaration of Independence.
   
   
6. For homework, ask students to read the textbook section on the Articles of Confederation.