Members of Congress Who Became President

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Overview

In this lesson students will research Members of Congress who became President of the United States and give an oral presentation about one Member of Congress who became President.

Grade Levels

5 - 8

Objectives

Students will:

• identify Members of Congress who became President; and
• describe the notable accomplishments of one Member of Congress who became President.

Estimated Time

2 to 4 days

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: Notable Members of Congress
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
• Presentation software or poster board and markers

Procedure

1. Use a projection device to display the “Members Who Became President” section of the Notable Members of Congress E-Learning Module. Play the game as a class.
2. Ask each student to choose one Member of Congress who became President. Have students read the information given in the Notable Members of Congress E-Learning Module about the selected former Member of Congress.
3. Have students conduct further research to learn more about what this President did while he was in Congress. Tell students to prepare an oral presentation about the Member of Congress who became President. This oral presentation should include a visual that outlines the notable accomplishments of the President when he served in Congress. Students can use a computer presentation software program to create the visual or draw an outline on a poster board.

Extension Activities

Cross-Curricular Connection

Ask students to visit the following Web site: http://www.americanpresidents.org. This Web site has video clips about each President. Some, but not all, have clips about the President when he served in Congress. Ask students to watch a few clips. Then have students choose one President who had served in Congress. Ask students to write a poem, paint a mural, or write a skit about some of the things the President did while he was in Congress.

 

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask students to respond to the following requests for information and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. Identify at least five Members of Congress who later became President.
2. Describe the notable accomplishments of one Member of Congress who became President.

Scoring Guide for A Closer Look at Voting Patterns

Elements	Possible Score	Assigned Score	Notes
Presentation was well organized	10
Spoke clearly and at a good pace	10
Lists the dates the President served in Congress and the dates he served as President	15
Describes the notable accomplishments of the President when he served in Congress	40
Includes a well-organized visual aid	25

Lesson Plan Feedback

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