This WebQuest guides students through creating their own Declaration of Independence. They will be assigned to groups and watch a video about the real Declaration of Independence. Then, they will come up with the name of a fictional country and write their own Declaration, stating the reasons for independence. They will film the process and present their finished Declaration, explaining their choices. The goal is for students to experience being founding fathers and put their thoughts about freedom and rights into writing.

1. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
The Declaration of Independence
Title For Educators
Introduction Designed by
Task Alyssa Thorpe
Process att6@zips.uakron.edu
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

2. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
Introduction
Title This WebQuest is for you to learn more about The Declaration of
Independence and the purpose for it.
Introduction
Task What is The Declaration of Independence?
Process
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 by 56
Evaluation men some of the men that signed this document was Benjamin
Conclusion Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. In the declaration of
independence it states that, “ All men are created equal and there
are certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, Liberty and
the pursuit of happiness.” This document is to protect the rights of
the people. The United States of America will no longer have
connections with Great Britain. This document states our
independence.
Credits

3. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
The Task
Title
Introduction
1.The task is for you to make your own
Task Declaration of Independence. You are
Process going to get a chance to become one of
Evaluation the founding fathers.
Conclusion
•The final product involves using some tool ( Microsoft
Word, iMovie).
Credits

4. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
The Process
Title
Introduction 1.First you'll be assigned to a group of three.
2.Second, you will watch the video on The Declaration of
Task
Independence.
Process The Declaration of Independence
Evaluation 3. After you watch the video, your group should come up
Conclusion with a name for your country.
4. You have to record the process of making your Declaration
of Independence.
5.Then your group should come up with their own
Declaration of Independence.
6. Then write your Declaration of Independence on
Microsoft Word document.
7. Then I want the whole group to go over their Declaration
of Independence, and vote to see if they can agree with
what it states.
8. Then sign The Declaration Independence.
9. After you are finish you will show the video of the process
of making your Declaration of Independence, and tell us
the reason why you made it the way you did.
Credits

5. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
Evaluation
Beginning Developing Accomplished Exemplary Score
Title 1 2 3 4
Knowledge Can accurately tell Can accurately tell Can accurately tell title Has trouble
Introduction author, illustrator, title author, title and favorite and favorite part of story remembering title
and favorite part of story part of story when asked when asked several days without prompting.
when asked several days several days after the after the retelling.
Task after the retelling. retelling.
Process Setting Lots of vivid, descriptive Some vivid, descriptive The audience can figure The audience has
words are used to tell the words are used to tell the out when and where the trouble telling when
Evaluation audience when and
where the story takes
audience when and
where the story takes
story took place, but
there isn't much detail
and where the story
takes place.
place. place. (e.g., once upon a time
Conclusion in a land far, far away).
Characters The main characters are The main characters The main characters are It is hard to tell who
named and clearly are named and named. The audience the main characters
described (through words described (through knows very little about are.
and/or actions). The the main characters.
words and/or
audience knows and can
describe what the
actions). The audience
characters look like and has a fairly good idea
how they typically of what the characters
behave. look like.
Solution to The solution to the . The solution to the The solution to the No solution was
Problem in problem is easy-to- problem is easy-to- problem was a little hard attempted or it was
Story understand and is understand and is to understand. impossible to
somewhat logical understand
logical. There are no
loose ends.
Written Copy The student turns in an The student turns in a The student turns in an The student turns in an
attractive and complete complete copy of the complete copy of the incomplete copy of the
copy of the story in the story in the correct story, but the format was story.
correct format. format. not correct.
Credits

6. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
Conclusion
Today you have learn the steps of writing your own Declaration of Independence . You also
Title learned about democracy and voting. By doing this activity, you put your thoughts on
paper about what you think freedom should be like and how people should be treated in
Introduction your own country. You also learned about working together in group.
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits How can this activity help you in the future?

7. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
Credits & References
Title
Introduction
Task History: http://www.history.com/topics/declaration-
Process of-independence
Evaluation
Spark Notes:
Conclusion http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/declarati
on/summary.html
The Declaration of Independence:
http://cogweb.ucla.edu/Restoration/USDeclaration.ht
ml
Credits