What Makes a President Good?

U.S. History Presidential Study

Home Introduction Tasks Process Evaluation Conclusion

Introduction: U.S. Presidents

Welcome! You and your fellow group members will gather information on a

President.

Click on your President to learn what to do next:

George Washington James K. Polk Grover ClevelandJohn Adams Zachary TaylorWilliam McKinleyThomas Jefferson James Buchanan James Madison Abraham LincolnJames Monroe Andrew JohnsonJohn Quincy Adams Ulysses S. Grant Andrew Jackson Rutherford B. Hayes

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Tasks:

Presidential Study:

Task 1: Hypotheses: What makes a President Good? Generate a list in your teams.

Task 2: Learn about U.S. Presidents. Who were the first Presidents of the United States? Research a specific President.

Task 3: Organize your information. Based on your hypotheses was your President “good”?

Task 4: Create a Timeline of the PresidentTask 5: 5 - 7 Paragraph Report on your PresidentTask 6: Hall of PresidentsConclusion: Tea with the Presidents

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Process: Task 1

Process: Task 2

Process: Task 3

Process: Task 4

Process: Task 5

Process: Task 6

Conclusion

Process: Task 1

1. As a group create a list of HYPOTHESES on What makes a President GOOD.

2. Each member will record the hypotheses on notebook paper and put in their Team’s Notebook.

Home Tasks Process: Task 2

1. As a group you will learn about the U.S. Presidents.

2. Research a specific president assigned to your team (including taking notes).

3. Use the following Websites:1. http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/

2. http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/americanpresident/

3. http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/presidents/

4. http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/Presidents.html

5. http://pbskids.org/wayback/index.html

6. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/presidents

7. http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/government/national/president_list.html

Process: Task 2

Home Tasks Process: Task 3

1. As a team organize your information using the following Form:Research Form

2. Record on notebook paper your response to: Based on your hypotheses was the

President you researched “good”?

Process: Task 3

Home Tasks Process: Task 4

Source: Fact:

Birth, Death, Presidency Years, etc.

Fact:

Accomplishments

Opinion:

Good or Bad Prez & Why

President: ________________ Must be Completed by each Team Member

1. Create a Timeline of your President:- Look over your notes

- Choose dates, events, accomplishments that your team think are essential in knowing this President

- Record your dates in order on large paper

- Illustrate the timeline using various art materials (yarn, markers, color pencils, drawings, pictures)

Process: Task 4

Home Tasks Process: Task 5

Process: Task 5

5 - 7 Paragraph Report on your PresidentMust Include:

Perspective:

- You are a citizen living during the time of the President you studied

• Paragraph 1:

- Introduction: Explain who you are

• Paragraph 2 – Paragraph 4:

- Answer: Who was this President? How did they become President? What were key issues at the time? How did this President handle these concerns? Was this President good or bad based on your hypotheses of what makes a President good?

• Paragraph 3 – Paragraph 7:

- Conclusion: Explain your final analysis of the President

Home Tasks Process: Task 6 Evaluation ConclusionHandout

5 - 7 Paragraph Report on your President

Topic: Presidents Essay

Expectations: 5 - 7 Paragraphs (4 - 6 Sentences = 1 Paragraph), Grammar, Organization, Quality of Information

Voice: You are a citizen living during the time of the President you studied

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Introduction Sentence: The year is 1851 and President X is our country’s Leader. I am pleased with the many accomplishments he has had on our country. Times are hard since we have moved west, but our President has helped us succeed. __________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: Answer: Was the president good or bad based on your hypotheses. Remember you are a citizen during that time.

Mr. X was not the ideal President because…_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________ Furthermore,_____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 3: Conclusion: Explain your final analysis of the President

In conclusion, I find that this President was an inadequate leader due to this he was not a good President. He failed at providing a positive direction for Americans. ___________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Process: Task 6

Art ActivityHall of Presidents:

3 Page Visual: (Power Point Slides are ideal to use)Page One:

• Portrait of your President • Visual must be clear and be seen from five feet • Include the Years of Presidency

Page Two:

• Typed• Achievements • List of Accomplishments

Page Three:

• What makes a president good – List (Already done)

EvaluationHome Tasks Conclusion

Evaluation: Group Participation, 3 Paragraph Report, Timeline

Participation:

5 4 3

I followed all directions. I followed some directions. I did not follow directions.

I completed all activities on time.

I completed some activities on time.

I did not complete the activities.

I worked cooperatively with

my group all of the time.

I worked cooperatively with my group some of the time.

I worked cooperatively with my group none of the time.

5 - 7 Paragraph Report:

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See Rubric

Conclusion

Presidential Timeline:

See Rubric

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Tea with the Presidents

Come enjoy tea and donuts with the PresidentsFebruary 16, 2010

EvaluationTasks

Task: Teacher Signature: Score:

1. Research Form

2. Timeline

3. Report

4. Visual

5. Team Display - Compile all materials

Team Name:_______________