Format
1. Introduction to the National Archives
2. Main Activity: Students will analyze opening excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights and create a graphic organizer to record the purpose of each founding document. The National Archives educator will share a brief history of each document.
3. Matching Game: Students will match document excerpts to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights
4. Discussion: The students will discuss the legacy of the founding documents.
5. Q/A
Objectives
By completing this program, students will be better able to:
-Distinguish the founding documents; the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill
of Rights, by each document’s purpose
-Explain why the Charters of Freedom were created
-Make connections between the ideas in the founding documents and their lives today
Standards Alignment
National Standards
National Center for History in the Schools Standards
United States History Content Standards for Grades 5-12 United States Era 3 Standard 1B
The student understands the causes of the American Revolution.
United States History Content Standards for Grades 5-12 United States Era 3 Standard 3A
The student understands the issues involved in the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution and the new government it established.
United States History Content Standards for Grades 5-12 United States Era 3 Standard 3B
The student understands the guarantees of the Bill of Rights and its continuing significance.
National Standards for Civics and Government
NSS-C.5-8.2.A.1The American idea of constitutional government. Students should be able to explain the essential ideas of American constitutional government.
NSS-C.5-8.2.C.1
The American idea of constitutional government. Students should be able to explain the central ideas of American constitutional government and their history.
NSS-C.5-8.2.D.1
Fundamental values and principles. Students should be able to explain the meaning and importance of the fundamental values and principles of American constitutional democracy.
NSS-C.9-12.2.A.1
The American idea of constitutional government. Students should be able to explain the central ideas of American constitutional government and their history.
NSS-C.9-12.2.C.1
American national identity and political culture. Students should be able to explain the importance of shared political and civic beliefs and values to the maintenance of constitutional democracy in an increasingly diverse American society.
Common Core State Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
See also: CCSS-ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.1 and CSS-ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
See also: CCSS-ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1 and CCSS-ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
See also: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
See also: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.
See also: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.
See also: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.2