Teacher's Guide for COBBLESTONE ^® Declaration of Independence

1. Debate the topic of freedom for the colonies. Have students represent the seven colonies who were for independence from Great Britain and the six colonies who voted against it on June 9, 1776.
2. After reading the Declaration of Independence (pages 40-41), hold a class discussion on the importance of freedom in the world today.
3. Discuss the irony involving the Declaration of Independence and the issue of slavery.

1. Have students write journal entries as a young soldier in Washington's Continental Army.
2. Benjamin Franklin plays an important role in America's pursuit of independence from Great Britain. Have students research the life of Franklin and then write a play about his role as a statesman, politician, diplomat, writer, scientist and inventor.
3. Based on the information in the article The Continental Army in 1776 (pages 26-30), have students write a newspaper article or and editorial about the Battle of New York.

Art

Have students draw editorial cartoons based on the events that took place in the article Seeds of the Revolution (pages 3-6) and the problems plaguing Washington's Army in 1776 (pages 26-30).

A Secret Mission (Pages 7-9)

1. Explain the roles of Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee in America's attempt to get money and support from France.
2. Why did France finally agree to help America in its war with Great Britain?
3. Identify the following places on a blank world map: Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Bermuda, Spain, France and Great Britain.
4. On the same map, plot the distances of :
   A. Silas Deane's trip from Connecticut to Paris, France, via Bermuda and Spain
   B. Benjamin Franklin's trip from Philadelphia to Paris, France
   C. Arthur Lee's trip from London, England to Paris, France
5. Have students write journal entries for the three diplomats. Include their thoughts about their mission to gain France's support.

1. What was the intercolonial communications system?
2. What was the purpose of Lee's resolution?
3. What committees did Congress appoint in response to Lee's resolution?
4. Why was Lee's resolution important?

1. What problems did General George Washington face with the Continental Army?
2. How did the defeat at New York affect Washington?
3. What other events plagued Washington and his army in 1776?

Read the document to answer the following questions

1. What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
2. What rights do the colonists say they were entitled to have?
3. How many charges were there. List and explain seven.
4. What did the document say to the British people?
5. Explain what the colonists wanted from the British.

Home

Back

Print

Updated: 8/30/08 12:21 am
Log In