Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Before beginning the activities, write down at least two things you already know about Thomas Jefferson. Then, write down at least two things you wonder about Thomas Jefferson. Once you've finished the resource kit, come back and right down at least two things you've learned about Thomas Jefferson. 

Know - Wonder - Learn: Thomas Jefferson

Classroom Activity: The Declaration of Independence Timeline

The full text of The Declaration of Independence with audio 

Click through to learn more about the process writing the Declaration of Independence and what it means

The Declaration of Independence -- Annotated

Explore John Trumbull's engraving of the Declaration of Independence. 

The Declaration of Independence in Historical Memory 

Use this worksheet to create a biography of Thomas Jefferson

Biography of Thomas Jefferson worksheet

Before his death, Thomas Jefferson left explicit instructions regarding the monument to be erected over his grave. In this undated document, Jefferson supplied a sketch of the shape of the marker, and the epitaph with which he wanted it to be inscribed:

"... on the faces of the Obelisk the following inscription, & not a word more:

Here was buried
Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of American Independence
of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom
& Father of the University of Virginia

"because by these," he explained, "as testimonials that I have lived, I wish most to be remembered."

In this slideshow, you will learn more about Jefferson's three greatest accomplishments. 

Thomas Jefferson's Three Greatest Achievements

Use this timeline to learn more about Thomas Jefferson's life and fill in the biography of Thomas Jefferson worksheet. 

A Timeline of Thomas Jefferson's Life

Many words describe Thomas Jefferson. He is best remembered as the person who wrote the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States. He was also a lawyer, scientist, enslaver, writer, Governor, Vice-President, Philosopher, Architect, Father, and Revolutionary. 

In this resource kit, you will learn more about the life of Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence. This resource kit will take between 60 - 90 minutes to complete. Additional resources are included in some activities for further investigation.

For more information or to offer feedback, please email digital.learning@monticello.org.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts on this resource kit: https://forms.gle/aW8qqtq5GJTnj6H26.

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Life of Thomas Jefferson_ MDL Monticello Educator Overview .pdf

Declaration of Independence Transcription.pdf

https://create.kahoot.it/profiles/e18b7391-4860-4383-9dec-4d9633174be2

https://edpuzzle.com/playlist/663bb2afd513e5aa8cadc2e

Biography of Thomas Jefferson worksheet.pdf

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

The Life of Thomas Jefferson

Know - Wonder - Learn: Thomas Jefferson

Background Knowledge