Lesson Plan

Philadelphia and San Francisco in 1776: The National Park Sites Where History Unfolded! Grade 5

John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence

John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence

National Park Service

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Literacy and Language Arts,Science,Social Studies
Lesson Duration:
60 Minutes
State Standards:
5.HSS2.2, 5.HSS3.2, 5.HSS5.2, 5.HSS5.3, 5.ESS3.C
Thinking Skills:
Remembering: Recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles. Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts.

Essential Question

Why is it important to preserve historic and cultural sites?

Objective

1. Students will be able to describe examples of cultural and historic NPS units that showcase the establishment of our nation.
2. Students will be able to compare and contrast views of the Loyalist and Patriot parties in the 13 American colonies.
3.Students will be able to describe the purpose of the Anza Expedition.

Background

  • In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • In 1776, the Anza expedition, comprised of 240 people, arrived in San Francisco after traveling 1200 miles from present day Sonora, Mexico, in hopes of colonizing California for Spain.

Preparation

Reserve lap tops or a computer lab for your students to do research.

Procedure

1. Ask students if they have visited a National Park before. Have students share their personal memories of national parks.
2. Explain that National Parks protect both natural and cultural/historic areas, and that this lesson focuses on two heritage areas valued by the American people.
3. Have students reflect on their understanding of the nation's history. Ask students to suggest places that should be preserved for future generations. (for example: battlefields, monuments, memorials, forts, Native American villages, birthplaces of presidents, etc.)
 
1. Explain that this lesson will introduce students to two National Park Service units where historic events happened in the same year: 1776.
2. Tell students that they will be split into 2 groups. Each group must prepare an oral presentation on their assigned National Park unit. They are allowed to use timelines, maps, diary entries, scripts, primary documents, and park service web pages, among other resources for their research.
 
1.Assign half of the class to read information and prepare an oral presentation about Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. Instruct students to specifically debate the difference between the Loyalist and Patriot parties during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
2. Encourage students to seek information from the following resources:
-Independence National Historic Park Jr. Ranger Booklet (specifically, Activity 5)
-An overview of the Declaration of Independence
-An overview of the 2nd Continental Congress
 
1. Assign the second half of the class to read information and prepare an oral presentation about Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail in Arizona and California.
2. Encourage students to seek information from the following resources:
-Jr. Ranger Virtual Expedition
-Diary of Juan Bautista de Anza
-An overview of the Anza Expedition
 
1. Have each group present their research to the class. Encourage students to offer specific examples of the ways people responded to change around them.
 
1. Once both groups have presented, hold a class discussion comparing and contrasting these two events. Remind students that both events occurred during the same year: 1776.
2. Ask students why it is important that the National Park Service protects both of these pieces of history.

Vocabulary

  • Westward Expansion: the movement of settlers into the American West during the 19th century
  • Declaration of Independence: a document, written by Thomas Jefferson, announcing the separation of the 13 American colonies from the control of Great Britain
  • Colonization: the process of settling among and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area

Assessment Materials

  1. Describe examples of park units established to protect and preserve historical or cultural areas in the National Park Service.
  2. Name interactions between Loyalists and Patriots during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
  3. Identify the ways that the Anza Expedition interacted with Native American tribes.
  4. Compare historic events in the nation during 1776.

Additional Resources

Contact Information

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Last updated: July 23, 2024