Beacon Lesson Plan Library

Are U.S. Presidents Leaders or Figureheads?

Irving Kohn

Description

Students analyze three presidents. They create a graphic organizer explaining how three influences for each president affected the development of the New Nation.

Objectives

The student extends and refines understanding of the effects of individuals, ideas, and decisions on historical events (for example, in the United States).

Materials

-Computer
-Inspiration software program
-Samples of graphic organizers
-Book and audio visuals on Washington, Adams, Jefferson
-Pictures of the presidents.
-KWL chart posted or an overhead with a KWL transparency

Preparations

1. Be prepared to discuss with the class the qualities that make a person a leader.
2. Be prepared to discuss with the class how people influence others.
3. Become familiar with the facts about the first three presidents of the United States.
4. Determine the organization of the groups. Three people to a group, add ESOL/ESE student(s) to groups.

Procedures

Prior knowledge includes knowing how to use the software to create a graphic organizer.
1.Orally brainstorm with the students the following questions: (a) What makes a leader? (b) What is a figurehead?

2. Ask the students, using a KWL chart, what they know about the first three presidents of the United States. Record the information. Ask students to list what they would like to know about the presidents and record this information on the KWL chart.

3. Divide the students into cooperative groups. The teacher should keep in mind ESOl/ESE students when putting students into groups.

4. Each group should have at least one person researching each of the following three presidents: (1) George Washington (2) John Adams (3) Thomas Jefferson. Share with students exactly what they are looking for--3 ways the president affected or influenced the history of the new nation.

5. Each student will use the Internet to research how the president influenced the New Nation.

6. Circulate around the room and assist students in proper note taking, while checking for correct content.

7. After researching, the students return to their group and develop an appropriate graphic organizer, using INSPIRATION software.

8. The groups, using their graphic organizers, will report how the presidents influenced the New Nation. As each group presents, list what students have learned on the L part of the KWL chart. Ask students if what they have learned indicates whether the president was a true leader or just a figurehead. (Optional: have students copy the KWL chart and the information to use later to study for a quiz or to write a paragraph after learning the proper format.)

Assessments

The teacher assesses the students by checking the graphic organizer. If the organizer has three (3) influences for each president, the student has mastered the objective.

Extensions

1. Use student pairs for team learning
2. Explain special vocabulary words(s) (e.g.) figurehead
3. Gather library books written in simple English for ESOL students
4. Provide Spanish weblinks.

Web Links

Web supplement for Are U.S. Presidents Leaders or Figureheads?
Scholastic

Web supplement for Are U.S. Presidents Leaders or Figureheads?
Monticello

Web supplement for Are U.S. Presidents Leaders or Figureheads?
Whitehouse

Web supplement for Are U.S. Presidents Leaders or Figureheads?
The Internet Public Library

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