NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
As the country observes the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Judy Woodruff is starting a new chapter of America at a Crossroads. She’ll explore what it means to be an American, how that idea has evolved since the nation’s founding and where we might be headed. She begins by looking at how closely our identity as Americans adheres to the template created by George Washington.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Why did George Washington come to see himself as a second-class citizen as a colonist?
- Who are some of the people interviewed in this segment, and what are their backgrounds?
- What are one or two ways individuals define American identity in this segment?
- How has American identity "evolved and changed" over the centuries?
- What led to the formation of a strong national government and the establishment of the Constitution?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
The Declaration of Independence begins by identifying "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" as unalienable rights. Why do you think Thomas Jefferson chose these principles? Do you think these unalienable rights are part of our law and governance today? Where are they most threatened?
Media literacy: Why do you think Judy Woodruff talked to ordinary citizens for this segment? How do you think they were chosen?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
- What do you think are the most important qualities that define an "American identity"? As a class, have a respectful conversation or debate about the issue. Use these clear and concise tips from CATO's Sphere Education as a helpful guide.
One way to organize a debate is to break the class into small groups, with each group taking an argument inspired by the responses of ordinary citizens in the segment (or feel free to come up with your own ideas). - You might also want to check out these resources on Ken Burns' Revolution series for more on some of the foundational principles of American Democracy.
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