Spring Homeschool: Celebrating 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence
Take a hands-on journey through the history and impact of America's Declaration of Independence!
This engaging homeschool series brings history to life through storytelling, interactive activities, and creative projects.
Homeschoolers will explore and discuss the creation of America's Declaration of Independence while connecting it to local history and life today.
Throughout the unit, homeschoolers will be building a living history presentation - researching and portraying a historic figure. At the last class, all homeschoolers will share their presentations and celebrate America's history!
Program Details
Recommended Ages: 10-15
Dates: January-May 2026 | Second Tuesday of each month, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: 1889 Courthouse | West Bend, WI
Cost: $45 per participant for the unit
Instructor: Jenna McWilliams - Researcher for The Tower Heritage Center, past homeschooler & current history student.
Program Schedule
[Note: This program schedule has been updated on 1/5/26. Prior registrants have received notification. Please contact Jenna McWilliams with any questions.]
Life Before the Declaration of Independence
January 13th | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Learn: What life was like before the Declaration of Independence
- Do: Make a Colonial-era dish, create a budget and shopping list for a colonial family, & choose a figure for the living history presentation
Understanding the Declaration of Independence
February 10th | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Learn: What the Declaration of Independence did, who wrote it, and what it means
- Do: Translate the Declaration into modern terms & work on the living history presentation.
The Declaration's Impact in America: Part 1
March 10th | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Learn: How the Declaration of Independence impacted the colonies, what came next, and why the Revolutionary War happened
- Do: Write a letter from the perspective of a Revolutionary soldier, play a revolutionary strategy game, and work on the living history presentation
The Declaration's Impact in America: Part 2
April 14th | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Learn: How the world responded to the Declaration, how it impacts us today, and how it shapes American identity
- Do: Design a poster about what makes the United States special and work on the living history presentation
Final Project! Living History Presentation (Parents Welcome)
May 12th | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
- In this final class, homeschoolers share their final living history presentation. This spoken presentation includes a hand-made poster, and homeschoolers are invited to dress up!