NOTEBOOK GUIDE Defining and Debating America s Founding Ideals C H A P T E R 2 What are America s founding ideals, and why are they important? K e y C o n t e n t T e r m s As you complete the Reading Notes, use these Key Content Terms in your answers: equality rights liberty opportunity P R E V I E W Survey on American Ideals democracy Write the following five statements in your notebook, and record the answer that best represents your views on each. 1. All Americans are equal. a. strongly disagree b. mildly disagree c. mildly agree d. strongly agree 2. Some Americans have more rights than others. a. strongly disagree b. mildly disagree c. mildly agree d. strongly agree 3. Americans have all the freedoms they deserve. a. strongly disagree b. mildly disagree c. mildly agree d. strongly agree 4. All Americans have the same opportunities to succeed in life. a. strongly disagree b. mildly disagree c. mildly agree d. strongly agree 5. Wealthy people have a more powerful voice in American democracy than do others. a. strongly disagree b. mildly disagree c. mildly agree d. strongly agree R E A D I N G N O T E S Section 2.1 Answer the following questions in your notebook. 1. Where in the Declaration of Independence can you find references to equality, rights, liberty, opportunity, and democracy,? 2. Why is the Declaration of Independence an important document? 3. Where did founders like Thomas Jefferson get inspiration for the ideals in the Declaration of Independence? Teachers Curriculum Institute Defining and Debating America s Founding Ideals 5
Notebook Guide 2 Sections 2.2 to 2.6 Copy the table onto a full page of your notebook. Then read Sections 2.2 to 2.6 and complete the table. Ideal and Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence Definition Influence of the Ideal in 1776 and Today Equality All men are created equal. Rights They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. Liberty That among these [rights] are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Opportunity That among these [rights] are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Democracy That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. 6 Chapter 2 Teachers Curriculum Institute
Information Master 2A Equality The condition of being equal Teachers Curriculum Institute Defining and Debating America s Founding Ideals 7
Information Master 2A Rights Basic conditions guaranteed to each person 8 Chapter 2 Teachers Curriculum Institute
Information Master 2A Liberty The freedom to think or act without being limited by unnecessary force Teachers Curriculum Institute Defining and Debating America s Founding Ideals 9
Information Master 2A Opportunity The promise that people should have the chance to attain their hopes and dreams 10 Chapter 2 Teachers Curriculum Institute
Information Master 2A Democracy A form of government that places power in the hands of the people Teachers Curriculum Institute Defining and Debating America s Founding Ideals 11
Student Handout 2A Discovering American Ideals in Primary Sources Work with a partner to record up to four details you observe in each placard s photograph and caption. Decide which of the five ideals the placard relates to, whether positively or negatively, and explain how. equality rights liberty opportunity democracy Details we observed on Placard 2A: Details we observed on Placard 2B: The Granger Collection, New York Details we observed on Placard 2C: Details we observed on Placard 2D: 12 Chapter 2 Teachers Curriculum Institute
Student Handout 2A equality rights liberty opportunity democracy Details we observed on Placard 2E: Details we observed on Placard 2F: Details we observed on Placard 2G: Details we observed on Placard 2H: Teachers Curriculum Institute Defining and Debating America s Founding Ideals 13
Student Handout 2A equality rights liberty opportunity democracy Details we observed on Placard 2I: Details we observed on Placard 2J: Details we observed on Placard 2K: Details we observed on Placard 2L: 14 Chapter 2 Teachers Curriculum Institute
Student Handout 2A equality rights liberty opportunity democracy Details we observed on Placard 2M: Details we observed on Placard 2N: Details we observed on Placard 2O: Details we observed on Placard 2P: Teachers Curriculum Institute Defining and Debating America s Founding Ideals 15
Student Handout 2A equality rights liberty opportunity democracy Details we observed on Placard 2Q: Details we observed on Placard 2R: 16 Chapter 2 Teachers Curriculum Institute
Information Master 2B Writing an Essay About American Ideals Today Write a five-paragraph essay that answers the following question: Have Americans lived up to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence? Your essay must include the following elements: An introduction, including a hook that creates interest in the topic of your essay. a thesis statement that clearly states your perspective on the essay question. Three body paragraphs that each include a topic sentence that clearly states one argument supporting your thesis statement. at least two pieces of evidence (visual details, facts, data, examples, or quotations) that support the topic sentence. For the first two body paragraphs, use evidence from Placards 2A through 2R. For the third body paragraph, use evidence from current events or from your own experience. a one- or two-sentence explanation of how each piece of evidence supports the topic sentence or thesis statement. A conclusion that includes a reworded version of your thesis statement. a brief summary of your main arguments. Teachers Curriculum Institute Defining and Debating America s Founding Ideals 17
Student Handout 2B Topic: Graphic Organizer for a Five-Paragraph Essay Paragraph 1 Introduction Hook: Thesis statement: Paragraph 2 Body Use evidence found on Placards 2A 2R. Topic sentence: Evidence: Explanation: Evidence: Explanation: Paragraph 3 Body Use evidence found on Placards 2A 2R. Topic sentence: Evidence: Explanation: Evidence: Explanation: Paragraph 4 Body Use evidence from current events. Topic sentence: Evidence: Explanation: Evidence: Explanation: Paragraph 5 Conclusion Reworded thesis: Summary: 18 Chapter 2 Teachers Curriculum Institute