The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States. It is part of the social studies core curriculum in U.S. schools. By the time they graduate from high school, students are expected to know the main ideas in the Declaration of Independence and their significance. This digest discusses: (1) the origins of the Declaration of Independence; (2) the structure and key ideas of the document; (3) how to teach the document; and (4) World Wide Web sites about the document for teachers and students. (Contains 12 references.) (BT)