Students will read the preamble of the Declaration of Independence and answer the questions in the handout. After that, they will brainstorm a list of examples of what would be protected by the natural rights they identify in the document. The student pairs will then choose the five natural rights they think are most important and write each on an individual sticky note and post in the room. The teacher should have a designated place in the room (ideally on a separate wall) for “equality,” “life,” “liberty,” and the “pursuit of happiness.” After the allotted time is complete, the students should be allowed to move about the room and read the examples their classmates have posted.

The teacher will then announce the class will examine the policy of American Indian removal under President Andrew Jackson. As the students read the documents, the focus should be how this policy fit into the Founding principles of natural rights. Students will read documents 2–5, and answer the analysis questions for each of them.

Students will write a persuasive essay, expressing agreement or disagreement with the following prompt: “The policy of American Indian removal was consistent with the principles and values of the founding of the United States.” All assertions in the essay must be supported by evidence quoted from the assigned documents. The essay must include citations from at least three of the assigned documents.