Let's Dive into the Declaration of Independence
Get ready to explore the Declaration of Independence in depth! We will break down the political environment of the colonies, the philosophy that influenced the writers and signers, and what the document means for Americans today.
Jessica Burshtynskyy
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(8)
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Intermediate Level
This class will have two main elements. During the first part of the class, we will discuss the background of the political climate that led to the Declaration of Independence. This includes exploring Whiggism, the political philosophy that influenced many Patriots. We will touch upon the events that led up to the Declaration, such as the Boston Massacre and the various taxes, but they will not be the main focus of the class. Once students have gone through this background information, we will walk through key elements of the Declaration together. This includes going over key vocabulary, discussing the goals of the Patriots, and considering the role this document still has in American society today.
Learning Goals
Students will leave the classroom with a better understanding of the colonial political climate and thought. They will practice reading portions of a primary source document and understanding new vocabulary. Students will make connections between a primary source document and their background knowledge and their own experiences.
Other Details
Supply List
A handout will be sent to learners for them to print out and use during class.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will refer to the Declaration of Independence frequently during the class.
To develop the course, I will use notes based on:
- the lecture series "The History of the United States, 2nd Edition" by Professor Allen C. Guelzo of the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University
- "Expanding Our Perspective of the Declaration of Independence" - https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/deep-dives/expanding-our-perspective-of-the-declaration-of-independence/
- "The History of US" by Joy Hakim, Oxford University Press.
Joined April, 2020
4.9
8reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am an experienced history teacher who has taught middle school history for co-ops for many years. My passion for American history helps the classroom come alive. I love helping students look at events from a variety of different perspectives, guiding them so they understand the background and context of the content.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$15
per classMeets once
50 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
3-12 learners per class
