American Ideals - Denton ISD

9/5/2012

Goals

? Students will understand the founding ideal articulated in the Declaration of Independence.

? Students will be able to analyze and evaluate the text, intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence.

? Students will be able to identify the full text of the first three paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence.

KWL

In your journal, make a KWL chart on the Declaration of Independence.

Know

Want to Know

Learned

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Ideals

What is an ideal? Freewrite

Declaration of Independence

1. Read the first three paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence.

2. Underline the keywords that you think are the American ideals.

Equality

Founding Ideals

Description

Declaration of Enlightenment Relevance Independence Influence

Rights

Liberty

Opportunity

Democracy

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Founding American Ideals

The heart of our nation's history lies in the struggle with these ideals. Write descriptions of each in your chart. 1. Equality 2. Rights 3. Liberty 4. Opportunity 5. Democracy

Equality

"All men are created equal."

What did Jefferson mean by that? How has our definition of equality changed? What is the role of government in promoting equality?

Rights

We are all born with "certain unalienable rights." What are these rights?

Read the explanation of Hobbes' and Locke's theories of Social Contract and Natural Rights. 1. Which view of government helps us

understand the origin and purpose of the Declaration's "rights"?

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Liberty

? Right to think, act, speak, and live freely ? Never absolute or unlimited What kinds of challenges to we face in the effort to define proper limits to liberty? 1. In your journal, answer this question by

writing nonstop for three minutes. 2. Underline, highlight, or circle the three most

important challenges.

Opportunity

The "American Dream." Does everyone have equal opportunities? Write three questions to the U.S. government about how opportunity is provided to all Americans equally. Discuss your questions with your neighbor. Be prepared to report to the class what think about your questions and your nieghbor's.

? According to the Declaration, governments are created by people to "secure these rights."

? Governments receive their "just powers" to rule from the "consent of the governed."

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Summary

Summarize what you learned about the founding ideals in the Declaration of Independence, including the influenc of the Enlightenment after you read through that presentation. Write about why this was so different in 1776. Lastly, include why it matters today.

Make sure your sentences are complete and your paragraph is well structured.

Introductory statement (What?) Supporting statements (How?) Conclusion or transition statement (Why?)

9/5/2012

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