The Fourth of July
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, formally declaring the thirteen colonies free from British rule. Students explore the ideas of Thomas Jefferson, the influence of Enlightenment thinking, and what independence meant for future generations.
Topics Covered
- ★Declaration of Independence
- ★Thomas Jefferson
- ★Enlightenment
- ★July 4 1776
About This Lesson
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, formally declaring the thirteen colonies free from British rule. Students explore the ideas of Thomas Jefferson, the influence of Enlightenment thinking, and what independence meant for future generations.
This lesson encourages students to participate in group discussions and debates. A video with accompanying lyrics supports key learning outcomes. Printable worksheets are also available to extend in-class activities.
Open Lesson Plan
The full lesson plan is available as a Google Slides presentation — ready to use in class or print.
Open Google Slides ↗Lesson Details
- Duration45–55 minutes
- Age range8–15 years
- Period1776
- Lesson #8 of 16