Objectives

Students will:

1. Understand the unique characteristics and qualities of Teddy Roosevelt.

2. Appreciate Teddy Roosevelt's interest in nature and develop a working definition of a naturalist.

3. Discuss and respond to learned information in student journals.

4. Create a newspaper article relating to Roosevelt.

Method

Students will listen to the teacher read a biography of Roosevelt, then discuss significant events and/or important characteristics related to Roosevelt. Following the discussion, students will create journal entries to respond to what they have learned. Students then will write a newspaper article using the information they have learned.

Materials

Roosevelt biography -- see Resources for suggestions.

Student journals

Pens or pencils

Vocabulary sheets (to define and understand new vocabulary words)

Writing paper or computer to develop articles

Thesaurus

Dictionaries

Procedures

1. Read portions of Roosevelt's biography aloud to students. Follow the reading with a class discussion about Roosevelt.

2. During the discussion, recall facts and help students start writing their journal entries. Journal writing activities will include time and settings, as well as character traits of Roosevelt as a young boy and as a grown man -- his interests, concerns and ambitions. Discuss the influences in Roosevelt's life: his father, Teddy's love of reading, his appreciation of nature, for example.

3. Brainstorm the word "naturalist" to develop a working definition as a class.

4. Engage in vocabulary development. Have students come up with individual vocabulary lists. Help them develop this list by contrasting Roosevelt's urban upbringing with his love of rural areas, and discuss terms such as conservation, preserve, environment, natural habitat, etc.

5. Have the class share responses. Develop a "wall of words" or working list of Roosevelt's characteristics, beliefs, interests and jobs. Also develop a list of related terms, such as conservation and environment, that the students developed individually.

6. Have the students become reporters and write a newspaper article on one aspect of Roosevelt's life that you feel is interesting and relevant. Remember to use the five W's -- who, what, where, when and why -- and the writing process. Review with the students the parts of a newspaper: headline, byline, article, etc.

7. Have the students share the article with classmates.

Extension

Students can research and write newspaper articles relating to the development and creation of Theodore Roosevelt Island. This could be an enrichment activity. Students with artistic ability or interest can draw an accompanying picture for the newspaper article and include a caption.

Evaluation

Published newspaper article (handwritten or on computer)

Sharing of articles

If desired, make a "newspaper" using all of the articles.

Vocabulary sheets: adjectives to describe Roosevelt, the island, natural habitat, etc.

Student journal entries