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Lesson

An “Apple of Gold” in a “Picture of Silver”: The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

Guiding question

What is the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

Grade
8–12
Published
Apr 7, 2022
Statue of a historical figure in front of a red brick building with a clock tower, surrounded by trees in autumn.

Guiding Questions:

  • What is the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?
  • How do these Founding documents reflect common republican principles?

Objectives:

  • Students will analyze the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution by looking at key phrases from each document.
  • Students will examine how and why Founding Principles found in both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are important to governance and to individuals’ lives today.

Materials

Student Materials

Teacher Resources

Lesson Components

ActivityGraphic Organizer: An “Apple of Gold” in a “Picture of Silver”:
ActivityPrimary Source: “Fragment on the Constitution and Union”
ActivityGraphic Organizer: An “Apple of Gold” in a “Picture of Silver” Activity
ActivityGovernment around the World
EssayBackground Essay: An “Apple of Gold” in a “Picture of Silver”
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Lesson plan

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More Information

Facilitation Notes: Stronger readers can read the background essay and complete the graphic organizer as background/preparatory work. Students will consult Appendix A: Founding Principles and Civic Virtues Organizer and Appendix B: Being an American Unit Graphic Organizer from the first lesson in this curriculum.

Standards

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Related materials

American flag draped over a historical document titled "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America."
EssayBackground Essay: An “Apple of Gold” in a “Picture of Silver”
Graphic organizer for an essay about the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution with guiding questions.
ActivityGraphic Organizer: An “Apple of Gold” in a “Picture of Silver”:
Educational graphic organizer for analyzing the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
ActivityGraphic Organizer: An “Apple of Gold” in a “Picture of Silver” Activity
Black and white portrait of Abraham Lincoln with text about the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
ActivityPrimary Source: “Fragment on the Constitution and Union”
Graphic featuring glasses, text about the Declaration of Independence, and historical figures in the background.
VideoThe Declaration of Independence Explained | A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI

What was the Continental Congress's argument for Independence? Join Kirk Higgins, as he takes a line by line look at the the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence primary source
Primary SourceDeclaration of Independence

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought what came to be called the Lee Resolution before the Continental Congress. This resolution stated “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states ...” Congress debated independence for several days.

The Constitution primary source
Primary SourceThe Constitution

The Constitution was written in the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by delegates from 12 states, in order to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new form of government. It created a federal system with a national government composed of 3 separated powers, and included both reserved and concurrent powers of states.