Declaration of Independence Webquest
Source: Reedy High School Library, Frisco, Texas
Declaration of Independence Webquest Start
Begin Activity #1: Introduction & Questions
Watch the video above to begin.
Activity #1:
2nd Continental Congress
Activity #2:
Read the excerpt on the left (from "History Alive") and list the two main things that came out of the Second Continental Congress' meeting in May 1775 in your Google doc.
Watch the video here to learn more about the Second Continental Congress.
Activity #3: Read more about John Adams.
He played an important role in the forming and early governing of this nation. What role did he play in the 2nd Continental Congress and with the Declaration of Independence? Answer this question in the doc.
Begin Activity #1: Introduction & Questions
Watch the video above to begin.
Activity #1:
- Write down 3 questions you have about the Declaration of Independence in the doc on the Social Studies Google Classroom.
- As you come across the answers during the course of this activity, be sure to come back to them and write down the answer and your source for the answer in the doc.
2nd Continental Congress
Activity #2:
Read the excerpt on the left (from "History Alive") and list the two main things that came out of the Second Continental Congress' meeting in May 1775 in your Google doc.
Watch the video here to learn more about the Second Continental Congress.
Activity #3: Read more about John Adams.
He played an important role in the forming and early governing of this nation. What role did he play in the 2nd Continental Congress and with the Declaration of Independence? Answer this question in the doc.
Begin Activity #4: Time to Part?
Was it time for the American colonies to declare independence from Britain?
Click here to read about the 2nd Continental Congress’ decision to declare independence.
Then, read about Thomas Paine and his famous pamphlet, Common Sense (above) and watch the video here.
Activity #4: Watch the video below of the vote to declare independence. Also look at the pictures of Independence Hall and the Continental Congress. Write a journal entry in the doc about what YOU would have done during this vote as a member of the Continental Congress.
Was it time for the American colonies to declare independence from Britain?
Click here to read about the 2nd Continental Congress’ decision to declare independence.
Then, read about Thomas Paine and his famous pamphlet, Common Sense (above) and watch the video here.
Activity #4: Watch the video below of the vote to declare independence. Also look at the pictures of Independence Hall and the Continental Congress. Write a journal entry in the doc about what YOU would have done during this vote as a member of the Continental Congress.
Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA - "The Birthplace of Our Nation"
Begin Activity #5: Writing The Declaration of Independence
“The Declaration announced to the world on July 4, 1776, that thirteen British colonies in North America were leaving Great Britain to form a separate nation, called the United States of America. In justifying the revolution, the Declaration asserted a universal truth about human rights.” -from the National Archives Read who signed the Declaration of Independence on Ben’s Guide to US Government for Kids and answer the question of: Who were the New Jersey delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence? (in the Google doc) Then, read about the Declaration of Independence from The Charters of Freedom courtesy of the National Archives. On the National Archives page, click on the image of the Declaration of Independence for details about the original document. Answer the question from this source in your Google doc. Activity #5: Thomas Jefferson was an important revolutionary leader. Read more about him. What was his role in the writing of the Declaration of Independence? Watch the video below from National Treasure, where they talk about what the character in the movie thinks is the coolest line from the Declaration of Independence. What do YOU think is the coolest thing about the Declaration of Independence? Answer in the Google doc. |
The End & Extra Activities
This is the end of your Declaration of Independence Webquest. Make sure that you answered your 3 questions in Activity #1 that you wrote down at the beginning. If you didn’t find all the answers you are looking for, feel free to come see me and I will try to steer you towards the right resources. Also, ever wonder what’s on the back of the Declaration of Independence? Click here to find out!
Nice Work, you're done!!
This is the end of your Declaration of Independence Webquest. Make sure that you answered your 3 questions in Activity #1 that you wrote down at the beginning. If you didn’t find all the answers you are looking for, feel free to come see me and I will try to steer you towards the right resources. Also, ever wonder what’s on the back of the Declaration of Independence? Click here to find out!
Nice Work, you're done!!