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White House First Ladies

Lesson Author
Harmon, Kevin
Course(s)
American History
Required Time Frame
Suggested that 15-20 minutes be given for research over a 5- 10 class periods. 2-3 days to present.
Subject(s)
First Ladies
Women's History
Grade Level(s)
6
7
8
Lesson Abstract
Students will compare and contrast First Ladies
Description

 

  • The students will have read (textbook) assignments covering the American Presidents from Washington to Bush 1.

  • Students will have completed close reads of historic documents(ex.Gettysburg Address).

  • Students will have completed concept(mind) maps of American History( from American Revolution

     to President Bush).

  • Students will have completed critical book reviews of persons, battles or wars in American History.

 

Rationale (why are you doing this?)

Students in general have very little knowledge of the 1st Ladies. This activity will help introduce the students to the important role they have played in American History.

Lesson Objectives - the student will

 

  • use primary and secondary sources for presentation

  • develop public speaking skills

  • demonstrate writing history skill

District, state, or national performance and knowledge standards/goals/skills met

 

  • Reading history 6-8.2 cite textual information, 6-8.7 distinguish fact, opinion, reasoned judgement

  • Writing history- 6-8.2 writing informational / explanatory text

  • 6-8.6 use of technology

  • 6-8.7 conduct a short research project

  • KCCRS 1,2,7,8,9

Secondary materials (book, article, video documentary, etc.) needed

 

  • C-Span’s First Ladies: Influence & Image

  • Textbook

Primary sources needed (document, photograph, artifact, diary or letter, audio or visual recording, etc.) needed

 

  • Presidential Libraries-example-www.LBJLibrary.org,

  • http://www.museumreister.com

  • Christopher Newport University

  • National 1st Ladies Library

  • Library of Congress

Fully describe the activity or assignment in detail. What will both the teacher and the students do?

 

  • Students will pick two 1st Ladies- one before 1960, one after 1960

  • Each student will present a video on one or both First Ladies

  • Each student will write a 3 paragraph(4-6 sentences each)  comparison of the First Ladies- how were they alike? different? and contributions they made

  • The student must cite at least one primary source in comparison per First Lady

 

Assessment: fully explain the assessment method in detail or create and attach a scoring guide

 

  • Research time- on task- 20 pts.,mostly on task- 15pts., some work done-10pts.

  • shows video on topic,able to comment on content- 20 pts., video has some connection to subject-10 pts.

  • Comparison essay- 50-45 pts-- Essay contrasts the First Ladies,cites at least one primary source,3 complete paragraphs(4-6 sentences), and uses proper grammar.

  • 44-36 pts.-contrasts the First Ladies, cites at least one primary source,brief paragraphs, grammar mistakes.

  • 35-30 pts.- weak contrast of First Ladies , fails to cite primary sources, short paragraphs, poor grammar.