IndepenDANCE! Mini-Project Project Overview
Independent: free from outside control; not depending on another's authority; self governing; not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence; capable of thinking or acting for oneself; not depending on something else for strength or effectiveness; freestanding. The United States of America is one of the most unique countries in the world. This country would not have been possible if not for the will and action of discontented colonists living in the English colonies. The Declaration of Independence is our nation's defining document and provides every citizen with a model for the successful pursuit of sovereignty. Throughout this project students will explore what it takes to obtain independence from an oppressive force and the best way to celebrate!
Project Duration
Two weeks
Essential Questions
Objectives
Common Core Standards
RI 1, 4, 5, 9 W 4, 5, 9 SL 1, 4, 6
Principle HOHAM Utilized
Self Advocacy, Cooperation, Significance, Perspective, Supposition, Connection
Final Products (This is a group project with a maximum of four students per group. Group roles could include Declaration Wordsmith, Graphic Arts Director, Music Mixer, Master Choreographer)
Independent: free from outside control; not depending on another's authority; self governing; not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence; capable of thinking or acting for oneself; not depending on something else for strength or effectiveness; freestanding. The United States of America is one of the most unique countries in the world. This country would not have been possible if not for the will and action of discontented colonists living in the English colonies. The Declaration of Independence is our nation's defining document and provides every citizen with a model for the successful pursuit of sovereignty. Throughout this project students will explore what it takes to obtain independence from an oppressive force and the best way to celebrate!
Project Duration
Two weeks
Essential Questions
- What atmospheric conditions were present in the Colonies that necessitated a call for Independence?
- What did it take for the colonists to successfully achieve independence from England?
- What makes a person outgrow their dependence on someone or something?
Objectives
- You will learn how the colonial atmosphere and elements of power led to the colonists' quest for independence.
- You will assess the role of the Declaration of Independence in the development of the American Revolution.
- You will investigate what drives an individual to seek independence in their own life.
Common Core Standards
RI 1, 4, 5, 9 W 4, 5, 9 SL 1, 4, 6
Principle HOHAM Utilized
Self Advocacy, Cooperation, Significance, Perspective, Supposition, Connection
Final Products (This is a group project with a maximum of four students per group. Group roles could include Declaration Wordsmith, Graphic Arts Director, Music Mixer, Master Choreographer)
- As a group think about what you would would like to gain independence from, then write a Declaration of Independence complete with five sections that stylistically reflects the original. I. Preamble II. Declares Self-Evident Truths III. List of Grievances IV. We have sought to speak, but have not been heard... V. Performative: We declare that...
- Design/create a 8 ½ by 11 piece of propaganda that advertises your Independence call to action.
- Choreograph a 30 second interpretive dance that appropriately symbolizes your journey to independence from the oppressive force that your group selected.
The Five Parts of the Declaration of Independence
- Preamble
“When in the Course of human events...”
- Self
Evident Truths “We hold these truths to be self-evident...”
- List
of Grievances “He has refused...”
- Attempts
at Redress “In every stage of the Oppressions...”
- Declaration
“We, therefore,.....declare...”
- Preamble
“When in the Course of human events...”