1. Declaration of Independence

2. Identify the Text Locate the following sections and label them – Title – Preamble – Declaration of Rights – Statement of Independence

3. Preamble Read the preamble individually and answer the following questions on your own sheet of paper. – In your own words, what does the preamble say? (2 sentences or so) – How did we rewrite the preamble?

4. Declaration of Rights Read the declaration of rights with a partner List the three rights stated at the beginning of the section Identify which ideas come from the philosophers we have learned about – John Locke – John Jacque Rousseau Write that list on your paper under your Preamble

5. List of Grievances Read the List of Grievances with a partner Together, choose 5 that you feel were the best reasons for colonists to be upset with the king Write those 5 on your paper. Choose 2 that you feel may not have been the most important or valid. Write those 2 on your paper. Why do we think the colonists wrote directly to and about the king?

6. Statement of Independence Read the Statement of Independence individually Discuss exactly what it says and means with your partner. Create a short summary (2 sentences) outlying key points of the Declaration of Rights and record it on your paper. Simply saying “The colonists wanted independence” is not acceptable.

7. On the Back of your Paper Think of 5 grievances you and your partner have with authority figures in your life. Use those 5 grievances as the main argument of your own Declaration of Independence. Include all elements of the Declaration – Preamble – Declaration of Rights – List of Grievances – Statement of Independence