Thomas Jefferson

The leader who wrote most of the Declaration of Independence.

Warm-up, learn, try it together, practice, then a quick check. About 15 minutes.

What children learn in Level 17

Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743 in the Virginia colony. He grew up on a farm, and he loved to read and learn.
He designed his own house, on a hill in Virginia. He named it Monticello, which means little mountain.
In 1776, Jefferson wrote most of the Declaration of Independence. It said the colonies should be free from Great Britain's king.
It said that all men are created equal. But Jefferson enslaved people, who were forced to work on his farm. That was wrong. Back then, that promise wasn't kept for everyone, and Americans have worked to keep it ever since.
Later, Jefferson became the third President. He bought a huge piece of land from France, and he sent Lewis and Clark to explore it.
You can find Jefferson's face on the front of the nickel, and Monticello on the back!
Your turn! Sort them. Who did it: Franklin or Jefferson?
Try it with a grown-up! Find a nickel. Who is on the front? What building is on the back?

Georgia Standards of Excellence in Social Studies:

SS1H1.a — Identify the contributions made by these figures: Benjamin Franklin (inventor/author/ statesman), Thomas Jefferson (Declaration of Independence), Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with Sacagawea (exploration), Theodore Roosevelt (National Parks and the environment), George Washington Carver (science), and Ruby Bridges (civil rights).
SS1G1.a — American colonies (Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson)