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Declaration of Independence Survey
Students will evaluate the historical context of an important concept
from the Declaration of Independence
Students will organize thoughts
Students will develop and conduct a survey
Students will analyze data and draw inferences
Students will write in a clear, coherent manner
Students will utilize selected computer technology resources
We have discussed the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence
in class already, and now we will thoroughly evaluate one of these main
ideas in order to gain a better understanding of the historical context
of this document.
We will examine the idea that “all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” while
considering the fact that slavery was as strong as ever in America during
this time. You will use the historical information on the next page (The
Declaration of Independence and Slavery in America) in order to create
and conduct a meaningful survey which sheds light on the opinions and
perspectives of Americans today.
Finally, you will take the results of your survey and organize them in
a way that is clear, meaningful, and easy for others to understand. You
may be asked to share your results with the class.
Task Specifics:
1. Read the information on the following page.
2. Develop at least three survey questions which relate to this information
and shed light on the opinions/perspectives of Americans today. Some example
questions are:
-Did you know that over half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence
were slaveowners?
-Does this fact affect or change your views about this document? Please
explain your answer.
Do your best to create relevant, interesting, and meaningful questions
- it will make for a much better survey!!
3. Then, conduct a survey of at least five Americans, using the questions
you developed. You may create a written survey or you may ask your questions
orally (if you do it orally, be sure to record the responses). Try to
conduct your survey using a variety of people -
ask people of different ages and genders.
4. Next, you will organize the results of your survey. Using a word-processing
or spreadsheet program on the computer, organize the results of your survey
in a manner which is clear, understandable, and easy to read.
5. Last, you will need to write (and type) 1-2 paragraphs which interpret
and summarize the results of your survey.
6. Attach the original copies of your survey notes or written questionnaires
to your final survey results so that I can see your original data. Please
include the age and gender of each survey respondent on your notes or
questionnaires.
7. Be prepared to share your results. I will randomly select some of you
to present your findings to the class.
Your survey results will be graded based upon the following questions:
-were your survey questions meaningful and relevant?
-was it evident that thought went into the creation of your questions?
-did you use at least three survey questions?
-did you survey at least five people, and attempt to survey a variety
of people?
-did you organize the results of your survey in a clear, understandable
manner?
-did you attach your original notes/questionnaires to your final results?
-does your interpretation/summarization of your results demonstrate thought
and analysis, or is it just a regurgitation of the facts?
-is your interpretation/summarization clear and coherent?
The Declaration of Independence
and Slavery in America
Fact #1
The Declaration of Independence states 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”
Fact #2
At the time he wrote the final version of the Declaration in the year
1776, Thomas Jefferson owned 175 slaves; by 1822 he had owned a total
of 267 slaves.
Fact #3
In his Notes on the State of Virginia (1787), Jefferson wrote “slavery
makes tyrants out of the masters and destroys the spirit of slaves.”
Fact #4
Almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were slaveowners.
Fact #5
In his rough draft of the Declaration, Jefferson characterized the slave
trade as “execrable (def.: detestable or wretched) commerce”
and an “assemblage of horrors.”
Fact #6
During his life, out of the hundreds of slaves he owned, he freed only
three. He freed five more at his death-all blood relatives of his.
Works Cited
Jefferson, Thomas. “The Declaration of Independence.” 1776
Loewen, James W. Lies My Teacher Told Me...Everything Your American
History Textbook Got Wrong. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1996.
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Criteria
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Points
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Levels
of Performance (Points)
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| Survey
Preparation |
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Survey questions are relevant and thoughtful; survey questions incorporate
the information provided on the handout: "The Declaration of
Independence and Slavery in America" |
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7 - very thoughtful questions; utilize info. from handout well 4 -
a moderate amount of thought is evident; info. from handout is used
sparingly 0 - no thought is evident |
| Conducting
the Survey |
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Survey requirements have been met: at least three questions; at least
five respondents; ages and genders are included; original notes or
questionairres are included |
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7 - all requirements have been met 4 - all requirements except one
have been met 0 - most survey requirements have not been met |
| Interpreting
Survey Results |
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Written interpretation/summarization of results demonstrates thought
and analysis |
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10 - survey results have been summarized carefully and interpreted
in a meaningful manner 6 - a moderate attempt has been made to interpret
the data 0 - interpretation has very little relevance or meaning |
| Organization
of Survey Results |
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Survey results are organized in a clear, coherent manner in a word-processed
document or a spreadsheet |
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6 - survey results are clear and well-organized 4 - survey results
are present, but lack organization 0 - results are not present |
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Total Score = |
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/30
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