American Revolution
Session 4: The Declaration of Independence - Part 2

Materials

• Teacher-developed form for groups to enter their interpretations
• A display copy of the Declaration of Independence (available in textbooks or at <http://memory.loc.gov/const/declar.html>)

Instructional Activities

1. Briefly review previous session’s activities, as needed.
   
   
2. Divide the class into groups of three or four students. Explain that each student should present their homework from the previous session to his/her group. The group should determine if each student’s interpretation is accurate. Corrections should be made if necessary, and each group should devise a group interpretation and put it on a teacher-provided form. This interpretation will be presented to the whole class at the end of the session.
   
   
3. Monitor student progress throughout the session. If possible, provide computers for students to record their work so that copies can be made for the entire class.
   
   
4. Students should complete this assignment in one session. If they finish before the session is complete, begin presentation of their interpretations to the class. Students should have a copy of the Declaration in front of them as the groups present their interpretations. Guide the presentations with further explanations or corrections if necessary. Address student’s questions. Highlight words within the document that may need definition. NOTE: Do not read the entire Declaration to the class. The student’s work is probably going to be much shorter. You need only refer to the Declaration if the students had difficulty with a specific portion.
   
   
5. If students did not complete the assignment in class, explain that each student will be responsible for submitting a final, neat copy of his/her assignment at the next session.