The Declaration of Independence - 8/29/08 and 9/2/08

Agenda:
1. Vocabulary Quiz
2. The Declaration of Independence Graphic Organizer (pg 13)
3. Hand out Year-Long Movie Permission Slip
4. Hand out Declaration of Independence Marketing Campaign sheet (pg 14)
HW: Get that movie permission slip signed and read the Marketing Campaign sheet

Today we took our very first vocab quiz of the year. We then examined the most important document in American history: The Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is divided into four parts:

I. Preamble
II. Explanation of Natural Rights
III. Grievances against King George III
IV. Formal announcement of independence

Section II, in the humble opinion of Mr. Ippolito, is the most important section of the Declaration. In it, Thomas Jefferson explains why we must break away: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." No government has the right to take these away, Jefferson argues, and in fact it is the government's job to protect these rights. When government fails to do this, the people have the right and responsibility to rise up against their government and create a new one.

Powerful stuff!

Next class we'll prepare a Marketing Campaign in groups to "sell" the Declaration.

RVI