William Howard Taft NHS
Lesson # 1
Toys, Tots, and Tafts
Grade Level: K - 2nd
Objectives:
• Compare and contrast the different recreational activities in which a Victorian family would use for entertainment to the present day family's entertainment.
• Understand the importance of family relationships.
• Practicing life - long skills such as hand - eye coordination demonstration the use of toy tops, Jacobs Ladders, tiddly - winks, a trapeze acrobat, and a tea set.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson examines how William Howard Taft and his siblings spent their family recreations growing up in Mount Auburn during the 1850's time period. William Howard Taft and his family valued the simple things in life from reading Aesop's Fables, playing with old wooden toys, to strong family values displayed to him that would lead him to become a very important figure in American History.
Estimated Duration: Approximately 20 - 30 minutes
Group Size: 35 in classroom
OhioStandards Connection:
History
Benchmark B
Place events in correct order on a time line.
Indicators: 2B, 3B
Benchmark C
Compare daily life in the past and present demonstrating an understanding that while basic human needs remain the same, they are met in different ways in different times and places.
Indicators: 4C, 5C
Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities
Benchmark A
Describe the results of cooperation in group settings and demonstrate the necessary skills.
Indicators: 1, 1A, 1B, 1C
Benchmark B
William Howard Taft NHS
Lesson #2
The Measure of a Man or a Woman
Grade Level: 3rd - 5th
Objectives:
· Define how we "measure up" to certain standards in our society such as family, friends, and our personal self - accomplishments.
· Compare/Contrast their family lifestyle to William Howard Taft's family lifestyle.
· List two reasons why it is important to protect and preserve National Park resources.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson will help students to re-live the early years of William Howard Taft and his family as well as, explore the Taft family's values practiced in their household. This program consists of seven students dressing up into period clothing costumes and role - playing William Howard Taft and his family while the other students in the audience are reporters, who interview the Tafts' about living in Cincinnati during the 1850's and 1860's.
Estimated duration: Approx. 45 minutes
Group Size: 35 in classroom
OhioStandards Connection:
People in Societies
Benchmark A
Compare practices and products of North American cultural groups.
Indicators: 1D, 1E, 1F
Benchmark B
Explain the reasons people from various groups came to North America and the consequences of their interactions with each other.
Indicator: 3C
Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities
Benchmark B
Identify rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States that are important for preserving democratic government.
Indicators: 3B, 3C, 3, 2A
William Howard Taft NHS
Lesson # 3
William Howard Taft - The Man of Many Hats
Grade Level: 5 - 10
Objectives:
▪ To identify the three branches of government
▪ To understand that the President must be multi - dimensional because the decisions he makes will impact the American people.
▪ List the two highest positions held during William Howard Taft's career.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson examines the career of William Howard Taft through the many different characteristics
often associated with other Presidents as well as Supreme Court leaders. William Howard Taft's
career in public service exemplifies a man with great integrity, who wore many hats when making
crucial decisions that affected the well being of the American People.
Estimated Duration: Approx. 45 minutes
Group Size: 30
Setting: Indoors or Outdoors
OhioStandards Connection:
Government
Benchmark A
Identify the responsibilities of the branches of the United States government and explain why they are necessary.
Indicators 1B, 1C
Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities
Benchmark B
Identify rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States that are
Important for preserving democratic government.
ndicators 3B, 3C, 2, 3, 2A
