In this concise yet creative exploration of the Declaration of Independence, delve into its historical significance and enduring impact on the American nation. From its pivotal role in ending a brutal relationship to shaping the country's principles from the beginning, this lesson unveils a creative way to teach students how to better understand the profound importance of this foundational document. How is the Declaration of Independence a break up letter? Continue reading to find out how you can explain to your students why this foundational document was the biggest break up letter in all of history!
Early United States history is one of my favorite eras of history to teach. There’s just something intriguing about a relatively small societal group that has a vision to take on the world power of its day, create their own government from scratch, bring conflicting political opinions together, and eventually form a nation that will bring individual freedoms to so many. This historic influence is something the world had never seen before.
Like any other subject, just because I love the content, doesn’t mean my students necessarily enjoy the subject. I’m always wanting to make sure my passion for a topic translates into some level of student interest, engagement, and ultimately knowledge of that subject matter. One thing I always ask myself is WHY is this important? If I don’t know why the information I am teaching is important, students will come to that same conclusion, and it’s going to be difficult for me to relay any information in a valuable way. Teaching the WHAT of any subject is information, but examining the WHY and HOW leads to transformation, and eventually, student engagement. Why Study History is one of my favorite lessons to begin any history class.
When it comes to teaching the beginnings of the United States, the Declaration of Independence is really the foundational document, or birth certificate, that begins the formation of the most influential nation in modern history. It solidifies the colonists’ vision to begin a new life. Every person that is studying the United States, must have a knowledgeable understanding of the Declaration. So, how does a teacher help an uninterested class of eighth grade students in the 21st century, enjoyably understand this historical and scholarly document from the 18th century? Shared experiences. Teachers must always know their audience and come from a position that their students can relate to or experience. The shared experience in this lesson is relationships and break-ups! Students know this stuff and can relate for sure!