The Declaration of Independence is, in essence, a break-up letter from the thirteen colonies to England. It has a very set form: it begins with a declaration of rights; it establishes how England should have treated them; then it moves on to the grievances that have led to this document; and finally, it ends with a formal declaration of independence. Students can connect to the idea of a “break-up letter” by writing their own.
Have students imagine it is their senior year of high school, and they are breaking up with their school. Have them craft a letter that:
After completing the writing for the assignment, have students storyboard the different parts of their letter.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard crafting a break up letter to your high school using the structure of the Declaration of Independence.
Encourage students to engage with history by leading a structured debate on the ideas within the Declaration of Independence. This fosters critical thinking and deeper understanding.
Select a provocative question, such as ‘Were the colonies justified in declaring independence?’ This gives students a focus for their research and arguments.
Divide the class evenly and assign each group to argue for or against the central topic. This ensures everyone is involved and hears multiple perspectives.
Allow groups to gather evidence from the Declaration and other sources. Preparation builds confidence and improves the quality of the debate.
Establish clear guidelines for speaking turns, active listening, and respectful rebuttals. This maintains a positive classroom environment.
Guide the discussion, ensure all voices are heard, and end with a class reflection on what was learned. This helps students process different viewpoints and connect history to today.
To teach The Declaration of Independence as a break-up letter, have students write their own letters breaking up with their school, following the Declaration's structure: declare rights, outline ideal relationships, list grievances, and formally declare independence. This helps students relate personally and understand the document's format and intent.
Steps for the assignment: 1) Write a declaration of rights, 2) Describe the ideal relationship, 3) List three grievances with the school, 4) Declare independence. Then, storyboard each section, illustrating the main ideas. This mirrors the original Declaration's progression.
The break-up letter activity makes historical concepts relatable by connecting them to familiar experiences. Students better grasp the structure, purpose, and emotional tone of documents like the Declaration of Independence, promoting engagement and deeper understanding.
A storyboard is a series of illustrated frames showing key parts of a story or process. In this lesson, students draw scenes for each part of their break-up letter, visually representing their declaration of rights, ideal relationship, grievances, and declaration of independence.
Yes, the assignment can be completed individually or with a partner. This flexibility lets teachers adapt the activity for different classroom needs and encourages collaboration or independent critical thinking.