Bell Ringer Going On Issue Focus

Pick up a pencil, a reading page,

and a vocabulary page.

Write your first and last name,

today’s date, and the period you
have civics in the upper-right hand
corner of both pages.

On the back of the vocabulary

paper, please write the following
mini-prompts in the corners.

Action People I Know

What issue is being focused on?
What is going on in this picture?
What is the action that is taking place?
Who are the people I know in this picture?
 In the center of your paper, please write an example of
INDEPENDENCE in your every day life. It can be an example of how
you are independent or how you are not independent.
 If you like, use the box for notes on the front of your
vocabulary page to write down these key points.
During the Second Continental Congress in 1775, delegates argued over
whether to seek independence or remain loyal to Great Britain. Many
did not want to seek independence as they feared that this would start a
war with Great Britain. Others felt that independence was necessary
because King George III was an oppressor who was limiting the
colonists’ rights and actions. They felt that Great Britain was becoming a
tyranny.
In 1776, Thomas Paine stated that it was “common sense” for the
colonies to break away from Great Britain. He said that King George was
a “royal brute” and the colonies had every right to sever ties.
 If you like, use the box for notes on the front of your
vocabulary page to write down these key points.
After many months of debate, more than half of the delegates agreed to
declare independence from Great Britain.
Thomas Paine’s writings were very influential in the decision to declare
independence.
Thomas Jefferson, the main author, detailed the colonies’ reasons for breaking
away with Great Britain.
The document argued that the king did not look after the interests of the
colonies anymore.
He listed the grievances, or complaints, that the colonists had towards the
crown.
The Declaration of Independence is
about 1200 words long in really
small writing. It takes about ten
minutes to read the whole thing.

The reading I’ve provided for you is

not the whole thing, so we should
be able to finish much more quickly.

This copy is yours, so feel free to

mark up the text. Follow along as I
read it aloud.
 What is this document
talking about?

Who is this “He” they keep

talking about?

What is the main issue of

this document?
 Understanding Vocabulary in Context

I will read the Excerpts from the Declaration again.

Today I will teach you to define the vocabulary terms using

the S.L.A.P. technique.

Please do not slap anyone during today’s lesson.

Please do not slap anyone ever.
Say the word out loud.
Look for clues.
Ask if there is Another word that fits
Put the word in Place of the word you want to define.

S.L.A.P.
 One more read through

Have you heard the phrase life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness before?
Who did we hear it from?
Do you think the part that says “all men are created equal”
applies to all people? Just men? Just certain types of men?
 One more read through

What is the connection between natural rights and

the role of government?

Who did we hear it from?

 02 DOI Writing Prompt
On the blank page, write your first and last name, today’s date, and the period you have
civics in the upper-right corner. Title this paper “02 DOI WRITING PROMPT”.

Write a well-crafted informative response.

Well-crafted means that your sentences fit together instead of jumping around.
Informative means facts should come from the documents; your opinions are not required.
Response means you answer the prompt; don’t just write what you feel like writing.
 02 DOI Writing Prompt
On the blank page, write your first and last name, today’s date, and the period you have civics in
the upper-right corner. Title this paper “02 DOI WRITING PROMPT”.

Write a well-crafted informative response.

Well-crafted means that your sentences fit together instead of jumping around.
Informative means facts should come from the documents; your opinions are not required.
Response means you answer the prompt; don’t just write what you feel like writing.

Prompt: Using what you have learned from analyzing the

Declaration of Independence, explain the relationship between
natural rights and the role of government and how the
colonists’ complaints are related to the concept of natural rights
of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
.
Time’s Up!

Pass your Writing Prompt paper all the way

back and all the way right.