Use Google Street View to get a modern perspective of the historic site of the Boston Massacre in front of the Old State House. This place that housed the colony's government, was also the center of other historic events:
site of protests against the Writs of Assistance led by James Otis
the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence to the people of Boston on July 18th, 1776
Get your students talking about the spirit of independence and the emotional events leading up to the Revolution with this story starter. Share one copy of this with your whole class and have them add at least 2 sentences to the story.
*I recommend displaying the shared story on your projector to reinforce to kids the fact that you will have a record of everything they add or remove from the story. You may also stagger the "start times" of when each student contributes to the story so their information won't take the story out of context.
This is a template to a Talk Read Talk Write lesson that can be pushed out to students immediately. Even though it will be completed digitally, it is still important to give students time to talk and reason with another when prompted to do so.
Declaration of Independence Google Expeditions
Trade Chromebooks for iPads one day to experience VR using Google Expeditions. Go to the Google Expeditions app on your iPad, choose Be a Guide, and download the Declaration of Independence lesson. Students will open the app and choose to Be an Explorer. When your iPad and every student iPad is on the same iPad, you will be able to lead and question students through the lesson. Explore Independence Hall and our founding documents.