Kindergarden Read - Aloud

82 Presidents and American Symbols: Supplemental Guide 5A | Thomas Jefferson

 Show image 5A-11: Declaration of Independence

The most important words Jefferson ever wrote are in a very

important document—or paper that gives information. This important

document is called the Declaration of Independence.

[Have students repeat Declaration of Independence with you.]

A declaration is an announcement. And independence is another

word for freedom.

What do you think the Declaration of Independence is about?

[Call on volunteers to answer. (The Declaration of Independence is an

announcement of freedom.)]

This is the story about how the Declaration of Independence was

written.

Thomas Jefferson and his friend, George Washington, thought it was

time to start a new country. They believed the new country should

be free from the king’s rule. They believed people should be free to

make most decisions for themselves, without a king or queen telling

them what to do all the time. But not everybody agreed with them—

or thought the same way that Washington and Jefferson thought. In

order to convince others to agree with them, they decided to write a

document—or paper—explaining the reasons why it was a good idea

to start a new country.

Five people were chosen to work on writing this document. Thomas

Jefferson was one of them. Although five people were chosen to write

this important paper, one of them told Jefferson, “You are a better

writer than I am. You will find the best way to say everything.”

The group knew that Thomas Jefferson had a talent for writing.

 Show image 5A-5: Jefferson pacing at the inn

It was long past midnight.

[Show midnight on the clock. Ask: “Is midnight in the middle of the day or the

middle of the night? What are people usually doing at midnight?”]

Jefferson could not sleep. He paced—or slowly walked—back and

forth in his room while talking to himself. Sometimes he would play his

fiddle to help him think.