Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

What impact did the Declaration of Independence have on American life?

Grade Level: 5th Extension Lesson- Social Studies/History/Civic

Sunshine State Standards FL Frameworks for K-12 Gifted Learners

Week #21 Learning Goal: The students will know and be able to explain the causes, influential people and documents leading up to the American Revolution.

Big Ideas & Benchmarks: SS.5.C.1.4 Identify the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation’s weaknesses. SS.5.C.2.2 Compare forms of political participation in the Colonial period to today. Common Core:

RI.5.5 Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts. W.5.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Goal 1 : Thinking Creatively Objective 1: the student identified as gifted will be able to critically examine the complexity of knowledge: the location, definition, and organization of a variety of fields of knowledge. Goal 3: Use and manipulate information sources Objective 1: The student identified as gifted will be able to conduct thoughtful research/exploration in multiple fields.

Subject(s): (To be used during Week 21 on the 5th Grade CCPS Social Studies Curriculum Map)

Description: The Declaration of Independence gave birth to many other freedoms in the United States of America that

may never have even been intended. One of the more immediate effects felt by the Declaration of Independence was the Emancipation of black slaves. Some say that Abraham Lincoln interpreted the Declaration in his own way and understanding. Some say he was inspired to do so. Either way, it brought about the Emancipation Proclamation which gave black slaves their freedom. Abraham Lincoln certainly took literally the statement from the Declaration, “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, which among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”? The American dream put in a nut shell.

Closure: As you wrap up this lesson, have discussions on how the Founding Fathers took a risk to form a new

nation and going to war for independence from England. Most importantly reflect how learning about what other people went through helps us to respect and empathize with others during trials in life.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

What impact did the Declaration of Independence have on American life?

Teacher Activity Sheet

Goal:

The Declaration of Independence gave birth to many other freedoms in the United States of America that may never have even been intended. One of the more immediate effects felt by the Declaration of Independence was the Emancipation of black slaves. Some say that Abraham Lincoln interpreted the Declaration in his own way and understanding. Some say he was inspired to do so. Either way, it brought about the Emancipation Proclamation which gave black slaves their freedom. Abraham Lincoln certainly took literally the statement from the Declaration, “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, which among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”? The American dream put in a nut shell.

Materials: Student Activity sheets printed for each student, highlighters, pencils, note book paper

Procedure-

1. Introduce the students to the Declaration of Independence by watching on Angel Discovery Education

2. Have the students work in small cooperative groups to read the Student Activity text

What impact did the Declaration of Independence have on American life? As the

students read the information they should use their In-Depth comprehension (see

example shown in teacher resource section) to better understand and the selection of

relevant information. (Common Core)

3. After open reflection of each text, have the students work together to give their reflection on the text Let’s Look Closer at the Preamble.

4. When they have completed the Let’s Look Closer at the Preamble reflection, have a class discussion about each group’s reflection.

5. You may also use the Hot-Dok Higher Order questions (at the bottom of this document) to help with discussion starters and may want to watch Discovery Education tradition videos on Angel if needed.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

What impact did the Declaration of Independence have on American life?

Student Activity Sheet

Goal:

The Declaration of Independence gave birth to many other freedoms in the United States of America that may never have even been intended. One of the more immediate effects felt by the Declaration of Independence was the Emancipation of black slaves. Some say that Abraham Lincoln interpreted the Declaration in his own way and understanding. Some say he was inspired to do so. Either way, it brought about the Emancipation Proclamation which gave black slaves their freedom. Abraham Lincoln certainly took literally the statement from the Declaration, “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, which among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”? The American dream put in a nut shell.

Materials: Student Activity sheets printed for each student, highlighters, pencils, note book paper

Procedure-

1. Introduce the students to the Declaration of Independence by watching on Angel Discovery Education

2. Have the students work in small cooperative groups to read the Student Activity text

What impact did the Declaration of Independence have on American life? As the

students read the information they should use their In-Depth comprehension (see

example shown in teacher resource section) to better understand and the selection of

relevant information. (Common Core)

3. After open reflection of each text, have the students work together to give their reflection on the text Let’s Look Closer at the Preamble.

4. When they have completed the Let’s Look Closer at the Preamble reflection, have a class discussion about each group’s reflection.

5. You may also use the Hot-Dok Higher Order questions (at the bottom of this document) to help with discussion starters and may want to watch Discovery Education tradition videos on Angel if needed.

What impact did the Declaration of Independence have on American life?

The Declaration of Independence gave birth to what is known today as the United States of America. The document is symbolic of American democracy and one of the free charters of freedom. The words stated in the Declaration rallied support from colonists at home, and colonists living abroad. The effects of the Declaration of Independence today can be seen and felt within the United States of America and also among many foreign nations.

All Men are Created Equal

The Declaration of Independence also paved the way and created equality among all men and women. Today we can see the effects of the first sentence written in the Preamble: We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.”? Throughout history we have seen so many different changes, from freedom of slaves, to equality among men and women. Today more so than in the past, women have been given every opportunity that men are now given and are truly equal among men.

Bill of Rights

The Declaration of Independence had a profound effect upon the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. The Declaration, it seems, may have ignited the fire under which the Bill of Rights and the Constitution were written. The Declaration is in large part a summary of what the Bill of Rights stands for. The Bill of Rights in the United States is the name by which the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are known. While the Declaration offered independence from Britain and made general statements, the Bill of Rights offers conclusive and specific rights and laws, from freedom of speech, press and religion, to the right to keep and bear arms; the freedom of assembly; the freedom to petition; prohibits unreasonable search and seizure; cruel and unusual punishment; and compelled self-incrimination. The first ten amendments are truly and expansion on what the first fifty six signers of the Declaration had written.

Effects among foreign nations

The Declaration of Independence has also left lasting effects upon other foreign nations, including the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, and the Declaration of Independence for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The French Declaration is one of the fundamental documents of the French Revolution and defines a set of individual and collective rights of all of the estates as one. The First article states, “men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinction may be founded only upon the general good.”? The principles in the French Declaration are still set forth today. The Declaration of Independence has left its effects not just in the small and large details of the United States of America, but also in the details of other foreign countries.

Summary of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of American history. It has been included among one of the most important documents ever to be written in the history of the United States of America. We refer to it still today as we recall the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. The following summary of the Declaration of Independence will briefly describe its content. Although the declaration is not officially divided into sections, it is commonly referred to in five distinct parts; the Introduction, the Preamble, the Indictment of King George III, the Denunciation of the British people, and the Conclusion.

The Introduction

The Introduction of the Declaration of Independence refers to the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitling the people to assume any type of political independence. The introduction also acknowledges that the reason for independence must be of reasonable terms. The Declaration therefore must be concise and explained thoroughly. The Preamble The Preamble contains probably the most famous lines of the Declaration, “we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.”? The Preamble states that there are certain unalienable rights that government should never violate. Those rights include the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Should those rights be violated and the government fails to protect them, the people have the right to protect those rights themselves by overthrowing the government.

The Indictment

The Indictment begins by stating the suffering of the American colonies and the feeling of absolute constraint in forming a new system of government. The Indictment also refers to the numerous and repeated injuries that King George III placed upon the colonies and then go on to include factual information as to the many things that King George III had committed. The King is accused of twenty seven specific abuses; interfering with colonists’ rights to self government and a fair judicial system; instituting legislation that affected colonies without their consent, increasing taxes on colonists; requirement to quarter British soldiers; right to trial by jury;

preventing them from trading freely, for example. Also, the King had refused to protect the borders of the colonies thus resulting in the destruction of American life and property. These are among the twenty seven accusations the colonists made in direct relation with King George the III in the Indictment portion of the Declaration of Independence.

The Denunciation

The Denunciation portion of the Declaration of Independence basically covers and finishes their case for separating from England in the hopes for a peaceful resolution, but with the clear understanding that war is almost inevitable. This section of the Declaration also notes the attempts that had been made to peacefully work things out as many of the Americans still felt that England was their brother and had appealed to more prominent people among the British. Still to their utter disappointment and their requests the colonies remained ignored and unsuccessful.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, the representatives of the United States of America and the people of the colonies had seen existent conditions that required a change in government structure and policy. The conclusion states that “these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown.” The conclusion of the Declaration also contains the core of Lee’s Resolution that had been passed on July 2. A summary of the Declaration of Independence will always take something away from the true words written by Thomas Jefferson, but will give you an idea of what the declaration is about.

Let’s Look Closer at the Preamble

The Constitution Part I – Preamble: The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. Questions: 1. According to this paragraph what is the goal of the writers? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

2. Why are the Founding Fathers writing this document? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

3. Make a prediction of what will come next in the document based on what you have read in the “Preamble.” ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Student Activity Sheet: Investigating the Declaration of Independence Part II – Beliefs: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. …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. Questions: 1. What rights are the writers claiming that they have? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

2. According to this paragraph, what is the purpose of the government? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Teacher Resource

Classroom Formative Assessment

Generic Rubric Design

Scale Student

Language

4 In addition to exhibiting level 3

performance, the student

responses demonstrate in-depth

inferences and applications that

go beyond what was taught in

class.

“I know it better than my teacher taught it.”

3 The student’s responses indicate

no major errors or omissions

regarding any of the information

and/or processes taught in class.

“I know it just the way my teacher taught it.”

2 The student’s indicate errors or

incomplete knowledge of the

information and/or processes;

however they do not indicate

major errors or omissions

relative to simpler details and

processes.

“I know some of the simpler stuff, but can’t do the harder parts.”

1 The student provides responses

that indicate a distinct lack of

understanding of the knowledge.

However with help, the student

demonstrates partial

understanding of some of the

knowledge.

“With some help, I can do it.”

0

The student provides little or no

response. Even with help the

student does not exhibit a

partial understanding of the

knowledge.

“Even with help, I can’t do it.”

Source: Robert Marzano, Classroom Formative Assessment and Grading

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• DOK 4 requires time for extended thinking.