Teaching The Declaration of Independence
Workshop for Civics, Government, and History Teachers
The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at The Ohio State University hosted over 120 educators for a week of professional development on the Declaration of Independence for civics, government, and history teachers across the country. These workshops coincided with the United States Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Sessions included lectures from experts on the American Founding, discussion of strategies for teaching the Declaration, and simulation exercises on the Second Continental Congress. By pairing high-quality content instruction with experiential learning, these workshops increased American teachers’ knowledge of and appreciation for the key texts and events that have shaped this nation’s history, along with their ability to bring the material to life in their classrooms.
Educators also had the opportunity to learn about civics outside of the classroom, including visits to the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Columbus Museum of Art.
This opportunity was designed for high school teachers but also benefited educators from third through eighth grade.
While 2026's workshops focused on the Declaration, the Chase center will offer similar workshops in 2027 and 2028 focusing on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, respectively.
Agenda
Monday | Foundations: Context and Origins
7:30 a.m. – Staybridge shuttle to venue
8 a.m. – Arrival, check in, breakfast
9 a.m. – Welcome and introduction activity
10:30 a.m. – Break
10:45 a.m. – Political and Social Context, 1763-1775
Noon – Lunch
1 p.m. – Military Context, 1774–1776
2:15 p.m. – Political Context Part II, 1775–1776
3:30 p.m. – Break
3:45 p.m. – Intro to Simulated Continental Congress
5 p.m. – Staybridge shuttle to hotel
Tuesday | Ideas and Simulation
7:30 a.m. – Staybridge shuttle to venue
8 a.m. – Arrival, check in, breakfast
9:00 a.m. – Philosophical Influences: Locke and Paine
10:15 a.m. – Break
10:30 a.m. – Work Time: Continental Congress
Noon – Lunch
1 p.m. – Continental Congress Debate with Breaks
4:30 p.m. – Staybridge shuttle to hotel
Wednesday | Debate and Decision
7:30 a.m. – Staybridge shuttle to venue
8 a.m. – Arrival, check in, breakfast
9 a.m. – Continental Congress Debate (Part 2: Closing Statements and Vote)
10:15 a.m. – Break
10:30 a.m. – Reflection: Decision and Outcomes
Noon – Lunch
12:30 p.m. – Travel to and tour of the Supreme Court of Ohio
2 p.m. – Art Museum visit and exploration
4:30 p.m. – Ohio State bus to hotel
Thursday | Legacy and Field Study
7:30 a.m. – Staybridge shuttle to venue
8 a.m. – Arrival, check in, breakfast
9 a.m. – The Declaration as a Document
10:15 a.m. – Break
10:30 a.m. – What Happened Next: Immediate Aftermath
Noon – Lunch
1 p.m. – 19th-Century Repercussions
2:15 p.m. – Break
2:30 p.m. – The Declaration in the 20th Century and Today
3:45 p.m. – Free Time on the Oval, Lots to Do
5 p.m. – Staybridge shuttle to hotel
Friday | Reactions and Reflections (No Friday Session on Juneteenth)
7:30 a.m. – Staybridge shuttle to venue
8 a.m. – Arrival, check in, breakfast
9 a.m. – Feedback, Ideas, and Suggestions for Teaching the Declaration
10:15 a.m. – Break
10:30 a.m. – Final Reflection and Workshop Synthesis
Noon – Lunch and adjourn
1 p.m. – Shuttle to Airport/Hotel
Funding support for this program
This program was possible thanks to a generous grant from the U.S. Department of Education.