Bell Ringer
Pick up a pencil, a reading page, and a vocabulary page.
Write your first and last name, today’s date, and the period you have civics in the upper-right hand corner of both pages.
On the back of the vocabulary paper, please write the following mini-prompts in the corners.
Going On Issue Focus
Action People I Know

In the center of your paper, please write an example of INDEPENDENCE in your every day life. It can be an example of how you are independent or how you are not independent.

If you like, use the box for notes on the front of your vocabulary page to write down these key points.
During the Second Continental Congress in 1775, delegates argued over whether to seek independence or remain loyal to Great Britain.
Many did not want to seek independence as they feared that this would start a war with Great Britain. Others felt that independence was necessary because King George III was an oppressor who was limiting the colonists’ rights and actions. They felt that Great Britain was becoming a tyranny.
In 1776, Thomas Paine stated that it was “common sense” for the colonies to break away from Great Britain. He said that King George was a “royal brute” and the colonies had every right to sever ties.

If you like, use the box for notes on the front of your vocabulary page to write down these key points.
After many months of debate, more than half of the delegates agreed to declare independence from Great Britain.
Thomas Paine’s writings were very influential in the decision to declare independence.
Thomas Jefferson, the main author, detailed the colonies’ reasons for breaking away with Great Britain.
The document argued that the king did not look after the interests of the colonies anymore.
He listed the grievances, or complaints, that the colonists had towards the crown.

The Declaration of Independence is about 1200 words long in really small writing. It takes about ten minutes to read the whole thing.
The reading I’ve provided for you is not the whole thing, so we should be able to finish much more quickly.
This copy is yours, so feel free to mark up the text. Follow along as I read it aloud.

I will read the Excerpts from the Declaration again.
Today I will teach you to define the vocabulary terms using the S.L.A.P. technique.
Please do not slap anyone during today’s lesson.
Please do not slap anyone ever.

S
L
A
A
P
P
S.L.A.P.

Have you heard the phrase life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness before?
Who did we hear it from?
Do you think the part that says “all men are created equal” applies to all people? Just men? Just certain types of men?

What is the connection between natural rights and the role of government?
Who did we hear it from?

I
On the blank page, write your first and last name, today’s date, and the period you have civics in the upper-right corner. Title this paper “02 DO I WRITING PROMPT”.
Write a well-crafted informative response.
Well-crafted means that your sentences fit together instead of jumping around.
Informative means facts should come from the documents; your opinions are not required.
Response means you answer the prompt; don’t just write what you feel like writing.

I
On the blank page, write your first and last name, today’s date, and the period you have civics in the upper-right corner. Title this paper “02 DO I WRITING PROMPT”.
Write a well-crafted informative response.
Well-crafted means that your sentences fit together instead of jumping around.
Informative means facts should come from the documents; your opinions are not required.
Response means you answer the prompt; don’t just write what you feel like writing.
Prompt: Using what you have learned from analyzing the
Declaration of Independence, explain the relationship between natural rights and the role of government and how the colonists’ complaints are related to the concept of natural rights
.
of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Pass your Writing Prompt paper all the way back and all the way right.