Day 4

Learning Targets:

Students will be able to:

• Explain how democratic ideals are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
• Explain how models of representative democracy are visible in major institutions, policies, events, or debates in the U.S.

Opener: To what extent have we lived up to the promises made in the Declaration of Independence?  How so?

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

--That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government...

Activity #1 - District Benchmark #1

Activity #2 - Read through the brief articles linked below and answer the questions below.

California

Texas

1. How do modern independence movements compare to the American independence (DoI) in 1776?
2. To what extent would you support a movement for Missouri's independence?  What complaints would you voice about the Federal government?  Is it worth leaving?

Close: Students craft 2-3 questions regarding independence movements, popular sovereignty, or any other modern political developments.