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Declaration of Independence

Alicia Williams

Name___________________

Declaration/Constitution Unit

This unit begins on January 9 and will end on January 25

C-Level Assignments- All REQUIRED
Date Due Work in class Activity Points Possible Points Earned Comments
1-14 1-10 Make vocabulary cards: republic, Articles of Confederation, survey, Northwest Ordinance, republicanism, ordinance, ratified, Northwest Territory 10
1-16 1-11, 14 Worksheet Packet- The Confederation, The Constitutional Convention, The Constitution They Wrote, Ratification and a New Republic. 10
1-22 Media Center 1-15 Signer of the Declaration biography- Must include their picture, state they represented, issues important to them, what they did for a living, other achievements. 15
1-18 1-18 Charlie Brown Constitution video 10
1-23 1-17 Declaration of Independence Activity 15
TBD 1-16 Textbook work: pages 217-219, 222-225 10
1-17 any Complete Strength/Weakness Chart on Articles of Confederation 5
Total for Section One 75


Section Two: Choose ONE ONLY

B-Level Assignments
Date Due In Class Activity Pts Poss. Pts Earned Comments
4 days 1-22 Constitutional Convention- points earned for actively participating on a daily basis in simulation done in class. 10
Total for Section Two 10


Section Three: Choose ONE ONLY

A-Level Assignments: Must complete an A-Level Assignment sheet on one of the following topics.
Date Due Date Rcvd Activity Pts Poss. Points Earned
1-23 The convention was very secretive and did not want to "leak" information to newspapers about their proceedings. Why? Do you think that would be possible today? Why or why not? 15
1-23 How many of the republican values-equality, simplicity, virtue & sacrifice for the public good- are still held today? Why do you think this? Have the standards for citizens and public leaders changed? 15
1-23 If you were one of the delegates at the constitutional convention, would you have supported writing a new constitution or revising the Articles of Confederation? Why? 15
Total for Section Three 15

It is estimated by Ms. Williams that this unit will take a little over two weeks, ending on January 25, however dates are subject to change. All A-Level activities are due by January 23rd at the latest. Only one oral defense may be done per day.

I, ________________________, am choosing to contract for a grade of ____ on this unit. I am aware of the requirements to earn the grade I am contracting for.

Student name A, B, C

_____________________________ _____________________________

Student Signature Parent Signature



Part I: What is the difference between logic and reason? Look up these two words in a dictionary. Then complete the table while looking at copies of the two documents listed. What was the author's purpose in using these types of words? You will need to be able to answer this question in oral defense!

Words indicating use of logic Words indicating use of reason
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Sentiments

Write phrases or words you do not know the meaning of below. Then use a dictionary to write the definition(s) in your own words. You may use the back of the paper, if you need to.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Part II: Write 10 sentences from the Declaration of Independence (5 complaints against the King and 5 Whereas and/or Resolved statements) into modern day English. Make sure to use words you and your classmates will understand. You will need to use a dictionary and maybe a thesaurus??!!

Example from Declaration of Sentiments:

Statement: He has withheld from her rights, which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men, both natives and foreigners.

Means: Men and the government have kept rights and freedoms from women that have been given to the most uninformed (could also be called stupid : ) and dishonored men, both men who were born here and those who came from other countries.

Your turn:

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