Grade 2 | HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES
WEEK 4 • TEACHER GUIDE AND ANSWER KEY • DAYS 16–20
Read each lesson aloud with the child and model the worked example before practice. Do not show this key during practice. Accept oral, drawn or written answers where the child cannot yet write the whole answer. On Day 20, read aloud if needed but give no hints.
Week 4 Student Textbook | Week 4 Practice Workbook | Week 4 Teacher Guide | Week 3 Student Textbook | Week 5 Student Textbook | Grade 2 index
Day 16: The Declaration of Independence
Standard: SS24.2.1b
Practice record: Declaration facts, printed on the Week 4 Practice Workbook.
Worked example: What does the word liberty mean? Worked answer: Freedom.
- July 4, 1776.
- Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
- On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved, saying the colonies were free from the king. Americans celebrate that day as the birthday of the nation. Accept any answer linking July 4 to the Declaration.
Teaching note: The Declaration’s own wording is all men are created equal. Explain that over time Americans worked to apply its ideals to all people.
Day 17: The Constitution
Standard: SS24.2.1b
Practice record: Two founding documents, printed on the Week 4 Practice Workbook.
Worked example: What are the first three words of the Constitution? Worked answer: We the People.
- 1787.
- The Constitution.
- They tell us the government’s power comes from the people. The people, not a king, are the source of the government. Accept any answer saying power comes from the people.
Teaching note: The Declaration came first; the Constitution came eleven years later. Use the table to compare.
Day 18: Our Rights
Standard: SS24.2.1
Practice record: Rights in action, printed on the Week 4 Practice Workbook.
Worked example: What is the Bill of Rights? Worked answer: The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
- 10.
- Freedom of the press.
- If people can speak freely, they can share ideas and tell leaders what they think. Since the government gets its power from the people, the people need to be able to speak up. Accept any answer linking speaking freely to the people’s power or voice.
Teaching note: Rights come with the duty to respect the rights of others, which is tomorrow’s lesson.
Day 19: Our Responsibilities
Standard: SS24.2.1
Practice record: Right or responsibility?, printed on the Week 4 Practice Workbook.
Worked example: Is waiting your turn in line a right or a responsibility? Worked answer: A responsibility.
- Saying your opinion and worshiping in your own way.
- Obeying the speed limit and picking up your trash at the park.
- If people only used their rights and did not obey laws or respect others, the community would not be safe or fair. Responsibilities protect everyone’s rights. Accept any answer about safety, fairness or protecting others’ rights.
Teaching note: Help the child name one responsibility they already carry at home.
Day 20: Independent Check: Founding Documents
Standard: SS24.2.1; SS24.2.1b
Practice record: Class rules (written by a second-grade class), printed on the Week 4 Practice Workbook.
Worked example: What does the Declaration of Independence say about how people are created? Worked answer: That all men are created equal.
- We the, borrowed from We the People.
- Everyone may share an idea during class meetings.
- Any one of: listen when others speak, clean up our own space, or treat every person fairly, with a reason about fairness, respect or a clean room. Accept any responsibility from the list with a fitting reason.
Teaching note: Independent check: read the rules aloud if needed, but do not give the answers.
Sources
National Archives, Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives, The Constitution of the United States | National Archives, The Bill of Rights
Week 4 Student Textbook | Week 4 Practice Workbook | Week 4 Teacher Guide | Week 3 Student Textbook | Week 5 Student Textbook | Grade 2 index