It’s been a little while since I’ve shared any middle school homeschool content, so I thought now would be the perfect time to post some primary source Declaration of Independence activity ideas. My oldest is heading into 8th grade this fall, and we’ll be taking a deeper dive into U.S. history while continuing our world history studies. I plan to try one of these activities this week for the 4th of July, and we’ll revisit them in September when we circle back to the Revolutionary War in our history spiral.
As homeschoolers, we get the gift of celebrating Independence Day not just with sparklers and cookouts, but with deeper conversations and hands-on learning that help our kids understand why this day matters.
This year, we’re using the Declaration of Independence as the foundation for some fun, creative, and thought-provoking 4th of July learning. These five activities are easy to do at home, work beautifully with middle schoolers, and are flexible enough to fit into your summer rhythm.
Whether you’re squeezing in a little learning before heading to a parade or working through a full U.S. history unit, these assignments are designed to be engaging, memorable, and full of revolutionary spirit.
1. Brain Rot Translation Challenge
In this challenge, your middle schooler translates the Declaration into modern internet slang, often called “brain rot.” It’s silly, but surprisingly effective.
We started with:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”
And turned it into:
“It’s giving facts Everyone’s built different but made equal. No cap.”
This activity helps kids really think about the meaning behind the words, then reimagine how they’d say it today. Bonus, it usually ends in laughter.
2. Grievance Role Play
The Declaration is packed with complaints against King George III. We turned them into a family role play where one person plays the colonist, and another plays the king.
The colonist makes their case: “You taxed our tea without asking!”
The king defends his decisions: “You still owe me for the French and Indian War!”
This quick drama game sparks big conversations about justice, power, and revolution. It’s also great practice for public speaking and historical empathy.
3. Founding Art: Liberty Posters
Create an “Independence Poster” to rally the colonies! Your child can include:
- A quote from the Declaration
- Revolutionary imagery like broken chains, the Liberty Bell, or torches
- A bold slogan such as “Unchain the Colonies!” or “Freedom Hits Different in 1776!”
This art project is great for visual learners and makes a fun decoration for your 4th of July homeschool space.
4. Write Your Own “Declaration of Me”
Using the structure of the original document, your child writes a declaration of their own. This can be serious, or light-hearted like:
“A Declaration of Independence from Unfair Bedtimes.”
They’ll include:
- A preamble
- A list of grievances
- A strong closing declaration
This writing activity blends history, creativity, and a little drama in the best possible way.
5. Living Room Document Analysis
For a quieter moment, gather together to read the Declaration out loud. Take it slow, define unfamiliar words, and ask questions like:
- “Why was this idea so revolutionary in 1776?”
- “Do these words still feel important today?”
You don’t need a worksheet or formal plan. Just curiosity and conversation can turn this into a meaningful family moment.
Final Thoughts
These activities helped us celebrate the 4th of July in a way that felt deeper and more meaningful than ever. They gave my middle schooler a chance to laugh, question, create, and connect, which is exactly the kind of learning I hope to foster at home.
If you try any of these, I’d love to hear how they go! And if you’d like printable versions or planning templates, just reach out. I’m always happy to share what we’re using in our homeschool.
Happy Independence Day!
Seven Founding Hills 
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