Declaration of Independence Values and Principles

This activity can be used during a unit on the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, or while exploring key American ideals and values from our Founding documents. For grades 3-5. Approximate time needed is 45 minutes.

Students can complete the activity as a whole class, in small groups, or in pairs. Begin the activity by asking students to identify what details they notice about the document. Give students a minute or two to brainstorm details they notice about the document.

• Is the document handwritten or typed?
• Are there any special markings on the document?

After discussing the details they notice, introduce the activity. Inform students that they will become Document Detectives to uncover key ideas from the Declaration of Independence. Ask students the following questions and give them time to brainstorm their response to each question as a whole class, in small groups, or in pairs:

• Who wrote the document?
• When was it written?
• Where is it from?

After sharing their observations, tell students they are now going to take a closer look at the main idea and purpose of the Declaration of Independence, and discover the fundamental values and principles promised by this Founding Document.

Students will examine excerpts from the document to discover the main idea and purpose. Model analyzing the Declaration of Independence by focusing attention on excerpts from the Dunlap Broadside that will help students answer the following questions. Consider walking students through unfamiliar vocabulary as you answer the questions together:

• What is the main idea of the Declaration of Independence?
• What does the Declaration of Independence do?
• What words explain why the colonies want to separate from Great Britain?
• Why do they think they have the right to be independent from Great Britain?

Following the whole class discussion about the main idea and purpose of the document, direct students to the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. Students will use their graphic organizers to examine and analyze the principles on which our government and our identities as Americans are based. Using the preamble of the Declaration, students should answer the following questions about the key promises made by this document in their graphic organizer. Students can work in pairs or in small groups.

• What does the text say?
• What does the text mean?
• Why does the text matter?

After analyzing the key promises made, ask students to volunteer to share their explanations for what the text means and why the text is important with the class. Facilitate a conversation about the significance of these principles. Ask students to reflect on how the ideas in the Declaration of Independence are still relevant today. Give students the opportunity to discuss this question in pairs or in small groups and to write their response on their graphic organizer.

• How are the ideas in the Declaration of Independence still relevant today?

After exploring the values and principles presented in the Declaration of Independence, encourage students to get creative and to come up with their own “declaration” that represents something that is important to them. Consider focusing on something that is important in their community, school, or classroom. Students can develop their declaration individually, in pairs, or in small groups. Invite students to share their ideas with the rest of the class.

For additional materials related to Declaration of Independence Values and Principles (including Guiding Questions, National Standards, Historical Background and Supplemental Educational Resources).