Activity Overview
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:
- Declares their rights
- Outlines what a perfect relationship with the school should have been like
- Lists three grievances against the school that has “messed up” the relationship
- Ends with a formal declaration of independence from the school, and what it means for the future
After completing the writing for the assignment, have students storyboard the different parts of their letter.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard crafting a break up letter to your high school using the structure of the Declaration of Independence.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first cell, create a declaration of rights.
- In the second cell, outline what the relationship should have been like.
- In the third cell, list three grievances against the recipient.
- In the fourth cell, formally declare your independence from the school.
- Create illustrations for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
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:
- Declares their rights
- Outlines what a perfect relationship with the school should have been like
- Lists three grievances against the school that has “messed up” the relationship
- Ends with a formal declaration of independence from the school, and what it means for the future
After completing the writing for the assignment, have students storyboard the different parts of their letter.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard crafting a break up letter to your high school using the structure of the Declaration of Independence.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first cell, create a declaration of rights.
- In the second cell, outline what the relationship should have been like.
- In the third cell, list three grievances against the recipient.
- In the fourth cell, formally declare your independence from the school.
- Create illustrations for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Break-Up Letter for The Declaration of Independence
How to Facilitate a Classroom Debate on 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.
Choose a central debate topic related to the Declaration.
Select a provocative question, such as ‘Were the colonies justified in declaring independence?’ This gives students a focus for their research and arguments.
Assign students to opposing sides.
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.
Give time to research and prepare arguments.
Allow groups to gather evidence from the Declaration and other sources. Preparation builds confidence and improves the quality of the debate.
Set ground rules for respectful discussion.
Establish clear guidelines for speaking turns, active listening, and respectful rebuttals. This maintains a positive classroom environment.
Moderate the debate and facilitate reflection.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Break-Up Letter for The Declaration of Independence
How can I teach The Declaration of Independence as a break-up letter in my classroom?
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.
What are the steps for the Declaration of Independence break-up letter assignment?
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.
Why is the break-up letter activity effective for teaching historical documents?
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.
What is a storyboard and how do students use it in this lesson?
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.
Can this Declaration of Independence assignment be done individually or in groups?
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.
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