Social Contract thumbnail reads: Reading passage on John Locke, the social contract, and Jefferson's Declaration of Independence over a display of the worksheet.

Social Contract thumbnail reads: Close-read an excerpt of Locke's writings on the social contract

Social Contract thumbnail reads: Compare the social contract & the declaration of independence

Social Contract thumbnail reads: digital version included! A google slides version is included.

John Locke & Thomas Jefferson Social Contract Close-Read

Name: John Locke & Thomas Jefferson Social Contract Close-Read - Happy Teacher Resources
Price: 3.75 USD
Availability: InStock

$3.75

This article & annotated close-read resource compares John Locke’s writings on the Social Contract with excerpts from Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. An article introduces students to the concept of the Social Contract, while an excerpt from Locke’s writings contains questions in the margins that guide students through reading and understanding a primary source document. Finally, students complete a worksheet comparing the ideas of the social contract with Jefferson’s Declaration. A fantastic resource for middle and high school students studying Civics, American Government, or the American Revolution! Available as a printable PDF, a TPT Easel digital activity, or a Google Slides digital activity!

Categories: Declaration of Independence, American History, American Revolution, Civics, Foundations of Government Tags: Article & Review, Digital, Printable

Description

This John Locke & Thomas Jefferson Social Contract Close Read & Comparison is a set of 3 worksheets aligned to Florida State Standard SS.7.CG.1.4 The Enlightenment and Its Influence, reviewing John Locke, the Social Contract, and their connection to Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. A printable version as well as a Google Slides and TPT Easel version are all included! Suitable for middle and high school students in American History, American Government, and Civics classrooms!

This resource includes:

✯ John Locke & the Social Contract Short Article: Students read a short description of John Locke, his Social Contract, and its influence on Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. They then explain the Social Contract in their own words.

Questions Include:

According to John Locke, what are the three natural rights of all people?
Describe the Social Contract in your own words

✯ Social Contract Close Read: In this activity, students read an extended excerpt from Locke’s writing. In the margins, questions are given to help students annotate the passage and discern its main ideas.

Questions Include:

According to Locke, why do men enter into a society?
If a government breaches the Social Contract, what does Locke say the people have a right to do next?

✯ Comparing the Social Contract and & the Declaration of Independence: In this worksheet, students read and compare excerpts from John Locke’s writing with Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. They then highlight similarities, define key vocabulary terms, and explain how Jefferson applied concepts from the Social Contract to his Declaration.

Questions Include:

Vocabulary: transgress, forfeit, abolish, liberty
How did Jefferson apply the concept of the Social Contract to the decision to declare independence for the colonies from the King?

When you purchase this resource, you will download a non-editable PDF that contains the printable version of the article as well as the link to the digital Google Slides document. There will be instructions on how to upload the digital version to your Google Classroom, as well as all Answer Keys. The link to the Google Slides document will have you click a button that says “Use Template”, which will create a copy of the document in your Google Drive. You can also access a digital version through TPT Easel if you prefer!

Social Contract close-up of the worksheet. Primary source text has questions in the margins.

What other teachers are saying about this resource:

“I think this helped students feel more comfortable”

Loved this document! I’ve always wanted to teach the Social Contract but struggled with how to include it in a meaningful way that is understandable for middle schoolers. This page walks through the important information, building bit by bit to lead to the logical conclusion of how Jefferson applied the Social Contract in the Declaration. Students who typically struggled with primary source documents did really well on this assignment with minimal help from me (including my new ELL!) I used this assignment as the only option for the “main course” on a choice menu. I think this helped students feel more comfortable, and actually helped with a growth mindset, as they had some choice before and after this assignment where they could self-level. Would recommend to anyone who wants to teach the Social Contract with the Declaration!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

— Case Classroom

“Students really enjoyed these readings”

My students really enjoyed these readings, and felt like it helped them to understand Locke and Hobbes a lot better.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

— Jenna S.

“Fantastic resource”

Fantastic resource to show students how these enlightenment thinkers influenced the founding fathers!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

— Jessica Helm

More Happy Teacher Products You Might Enjoy:

✩ Declaration of Independence Close Read for Civics & American Government

✩ Understanding the Declaration of Independence | Civics & American History

✩ Declaration of Independence Matching Activity for Civics & American History

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