FQ
• From what you’ve learned so far this
week, do you think America HAS or HAS
NOT lived up the values expressed in the
Declaration of Independence?
– Use the pictures to answer your question
– Be sure to discuss the values/ideals
specifically
FOCUS QUESTIONS
• On page 5 of your notebook, start a focus
question page
– Label FQ #1 and the date
– From what you’ve learned so far this week, do
you think America HAS or HAS NOT lived up
the values expressed in the Declaration of
Independence
America’s Founding Ideals
What are they and why are they important?
Copy the following statements and write out the answer that best represents your
views on each statement.
1. Americans have all the freedoms they deserve.
a. strongly agree
c. mildly agree
b. mildly disagree
d. strongly disagree
2. All Americans are equal.
a. strongly agree
c. mildly agree
b. mildly disagree
d. strongly disagree
3. Some Americans have more rights than others.
a. strongly agree
c. mildly agree
b. mildly disagree
d. strongly disagree
4. All Americans have the same opportunities to succeed in life.
a. strongly agree
c. mildly agree
b. mildly disagree
d. strongly disagree
5. Wealthy people have a more powerful voice in American
democracy than do others.
a. strongly agree
c. mildly agree
b. mildly disagree
d. strongly disagree
America’s Founding Ideals
What are they and why are they important?
America’s Founding Ideals
What are they and why are they important?
• The Declaration of Independence set forth a vision of a
new nation based on ideals (a standard of perfection)
–
–
–
–
–
Equality
Rights
Liberty
Opportunity
Democracy
• America has struggled to live up these ideals, sometimes
fighting for them and sometimes ignoring them
• Still, millions of people move to America in search of the
ideals on which this country was originally based
America’s Founding Ideals
What are they and why are they important?
The Ideal
Equality
Rights
Liberty
Opportunity
Democracy
Definition
Then (1776)
and Now
The Ideal
Definition
Then (1776) and
Now
Equality
All people are treated and valued the
same
1776: Colonists originally left Europe
seeking equality (of religion).
However, they did not grant it to
everyone (women, slaves)
Now: Are we truly equal? Should we
be? – universal health care, taxes, etc.
Rights
Powers and privileges granted by law
and/or agreement
1776: Jefferson argued for universal
rights belonging to all humans
Now: We have many rights…but do we
have enough? Too many?
Liberty
Opportunity
Democracy
Historical Photo Activity
Photo #1 Details we observed:
1.
3.
2.
4.
One ideal this photo relates to is ______________ because
___________________________________
____________________________________________________________
______________________
Photo #2 Details we observed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
One ideal this photo relates to is ______________ because
FQ
• From what you’ve learned so far this
week, do you think America HAS or HAS
NOT lived up the values expressed in the
Declaration of Independence?
– Use the pictures to answer your question
– Be sure to discuss the values/ideals
specifically
Essay Organization
Paragraph 2,3,and 4
1. Topic Sentence: One reason that
America is/is not living up to the ideals is
represented in a picture showing:
2. Evidence/Picture: Describe a picture and
explain how that picture shows America
living up to (or not) a specific American
ideal (and explain the ideal).
3. Repeat step 2
*Paragraph 4 uses evidence from a current
event instead from a picture
World
Trade
Center
Memorial
Get out your American Ideals Packet and open to page “51”
Bessie Smith,
famous blues
singer of the
1920s
Monday, Sept. 20
• Get your American Ideals essay
out on your desk
• Look over the checklist and make
sure it is correct
*Textbook Intro next RIGHT side
(p. 9?)
Focus…
• Be ready to continue American Ideals
Photo Activity – 25 minutes
• Cooperation is key
• Essay will be assigned today
• Written and due….