As we begin our second piece of non-fiction in the Age of Reason, we see the fruits of the labors of Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, John Adams and other Sons of Liberty come together in the document that announced to the world that a new nation was about to be born. Think of the Declaration of Independence as an enormously important hall or late pass. It is the document that declares the colonies intentions and defines why the colonists were committing treason against the King.
Many questions confront us; Why is this "hall pass" or "late note" needed on the world stage? Who wrote it? And finally, did the document or the war grant the colonists the freedom to be Americans? Which is mightier: the Pen or the Sword?
Source: by Tara Neely
This one is just for fun and to get the mental juices flowing...
Who are the "Rappers"?
Why are the lyrics brilliant?
Why select to have these founding fathers rap?
Why rap?
Why not put this to another musical genre?
Source: by jigjam
No less, fun or brilliant... but what about it makes the tone of this piece more serious than the JibJab video?
What are we seeing literally and figuratively in that we did not in the other?
Source: by soomo publishing
Before, during and following the viewing of the Actors Read the Declaration of Independence please complete the following handout.
Source: by Melissa Michlowski
Athletes, actors and armed servicemen and women recite the Declaration of Independence.
After watching the two videos above consider the question, which is most compelling and why? Answer the question by completing one "Important Things" handout chronicling the 8 reasons your choice was more compelling than the other reading.
Source: a version of the AVID handout
