Presidential
Decisions
Project URL: http://teachersnetwork.org/teachnet-lab/fklane/gnewman/presidents.htm
How it works:
Students will study four periods in American History when critical decisions were made by Presidents
concerning wars within and wars with foreign foes. There are a number of
overriding issues that go hand-in-hand with these crises, including the
childhood of a president, the political climate at the time, the will of
the American people, and the President's personal feelings and abilities.
The following historical periods will be focused upon:
- Slavery - Abraham Lincoln
- W.W. I - Woodrow Wilson
- W.W. II - Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Post War World- Lyndon
Johnson
Students will access the Internet to research
the lives of these Presidents and to try to identify the reasons that these
chief executives acted in the way that they did.
Standards addressed by this unit:
- Explain the significance of historical
evidence, and understand the concepts of change and continuity over
time
- Illustrate the intersection of people
and events across time in U.S. History
- Understand the concept of multiple
causation
- Conduct research using the Internet and
use information found to form and support an opinion
Materials used:
Web browser, word processing application
The students:
This particular project would
work best with students who have had prior course work in American
History.
Overall value:
It is important
for students to understand what is behind the decisions that are made in
the Oval Office. In virtually all of these cases, it is the President and
him alone who must shoulder the responsibility of the decision. History
will judge him, and he must be ready to explain to the world the reason
and motivation for that decision.
Tips:
A background in American
History is necessary to understand the complexity of the issues and events
that surround the crux of each presidential decision. The ability to moderate a comprehensive
discussion of this issue would also be helpful for the instructor. Bring
an opposing point of view to help develop the contrast and devil's advocate
position. The discourse should have a possibility of a full-rounded forum.
Be sure to check the links, as the White House site is frequently redesigned
and links change.
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Gary Newman has been a special education
teacher for 13 years, the last seven at Franklin K. Lane High School in
New York City. He specializes in American History and Government,
but also teaches Global History and Law. He likes to prepare
students for state comprehensive examinations that are needed to attain a
high school diploma in New York State.
Email: gary@fklane.org
Estimated class periods to complete: 4-5
Subject: Social Studies
Beginning grade level: 9
Ending grade level:
12 |