Boston Massacre
Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s)
Prequel to Independence
Recommended Activity
Published By:
National Archives Foundation
Historical Era:
Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s)
Thinking Skill:
Chronological Thinking
Bloom’s Taxonomy:
Analyzing
Grade Level:
Middle School
Suggested Teaching Instructions
This activity can be used as a review or recapitulation at the end of a unit of study. It can also be used as an assessment tool. Students can work independently or in groups. The activity is appropriate for grades 5-8.
Students should be able to name key events leading up to the Declaration of Independence in sequence. In this activity, students place document in chronological order. Then, they write a descriptive paragraph (essay) using the documents as examples and evidence of key events that contributed to declaring independence.
For follow up projects, students might create illustrated timelines, short papers, newspapers, or dramatic presentations based on these documents. They might incorporate music of the era and additional resources from a variety of historic collections.
To the extent possible under law, National Archives Foundation has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to “Prequel to Independence”
Description
In this activity, students sequence key events leading to the Declaration of Independence by placing documents in chronological order.
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Documents in this Activity
The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor
Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s)
Deposition of Captain John Parker Concerning the Battle at Lexington
Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s)