Mark Stirbens
Methods of Social Studies (11:30-12:20)
The Hermitage and Government
Benchmark: 6.4.02
Describe the purposes and structure of governments.
Behavioral Objective: The
student will evaluate the relationship between a place’s physical, political,
and cultural characteristics and the type of government that emerges in that
place.
Set: Have a cut
out of a blank Andrew Jackson with six questions for students to answer and
decipher the code to answer the name of President. Reviewing whom Andrew Jackson was from previous
lesson and diving deeper into the thoughts and beliefs of Andrew Jackson.
Instruct: Now that Andrew Jackson’s personal background
has been discussed we’ll be digging deeper into his beliefs and examining the
contradictions that defined him as a man and President.
o Have
a discussion with students about the powers of the President and what they know.
o
Next, circle or underline
those ideas that relate to our major topics of the day (for example, that the
president is elected by all the people, is considered "the head" of
the government, can veto legislation, is the leader of his political party). If
any of the main ideas are missing from the list, add them. Consolidate
responses that are similar.
Pair in small groups due to number
of computers
1 | Video Viewing Guide
Directions: While watching the videos, answer the
following questions.
1. What were
the intentions of the Founding Fathers regarding the power and role of the
president? Who did they think should dominate the federal government?
2. How was
the president initially selected?
3. What
tactics did Jackson use to rally supporters?
4. Why did
Jackson believe the president should dominate the federal government?
5. What is
the "spoils system?"
1. How does
Jackson use the presidential veto? How did this fit with his new vision of the
presidency?
2. What did
the Founding Fathers think of political parties? Why?
3. How did
Jackson benefit from the Democratic Party?
4. Why, at
times, does Congress fail to check the power of the president?
1. What was
Jackson's economic vision for America?
2. What was
Jackson specifically worried about??
3. What
warning did Jackson issue in his farewell address?
1. Why did
Jackson distrust corporations?
2. What did
Jackson dislike about the Second Bank of the United States?
Why did Jackson veto the bill rechartering the Bank of
the United States?
Independent work:
o
Students will break up from groups and will write a
short paragraph on “Who was Andrew Jackson” by following the rubric below.
Points 5
|
Points 4
|
Points 3
|
3 key
accomplishments
|
2 key accomplishments
|
1 key accomplishment
|
Proper
grammar and spelling 1 mistake
|
2 mistakes for grammar and spelling
|
3 or more for mistakes grammar and spelling
|
Describe
how he changed over time including his looks and beliefs.
|
Answering
if he changed over time with a yes or no answer.
|
Leave out
any changes of Andrew Jackson
|
Closure: Share
responses to class and close lesson with exit question on what you learned
today.
Materials: video
guide sheet, computers, a handout of who is who at the Hermitage.
Online resources:
