Herbert Hoover: Iowa Farm Boy and World Humanitarian (Teaching with Historic Places)

Hoover's Birthplace

Although some people remember Herbert Hoover as the man who was President during the early years of the Great Depression, others may know him as a complex public servant, the "Great Humanitarian" whose career spanned a remarkable seven decades. A graduate of Stanford University, Hoover became a successful mining engineer before organizing relief programs for the starving victims of World War I. Use this lesson plan to learn more about Herbert Hoover’s presidency. (Click on the image for the full lesson plan.)

Essential Question

How do childhood experiences shape someone's worldview?

Objective

1. To relate the events of Herbert Hoover's childhood in West Branch, Iowa, that may have motivated his concern for children around the world;
2. To understand the daily life of a rural community in the 1870s and 1880s;
3. To describe and evaluate the activities that led to Hoover's recognition as a good citizen of the world;
4. To discuss and give examples of ways they can act as good citizens in their own community.

Background

Time Period: 1870s-1930s
Topics: This lesson could be used in connection with studies of World War I, as an introduction to Hoover's presidency and the Great Depression, or in a unit devoted to citizenship.

Grade level

Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade

Subject

Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies

Lesson Duration

90 Minutes

Common Core standards

6-8.RH.2, 6-8.RH.3, 6-8.RH.4, 6-8.RH.5, 6-8.RH.6, 6-8.RH.7, 6-8.RH.8, 6-8.RH.9, 6-8.RH.10, 9-10.RH.1, 9-10.RH.2, 9-10.RH.3, 9-10.RH.4, 9-10.RH.5, 9-10.RH.6, 9-10.RH.7, 9-10.RH.8, 9-10.RH.9, 9-10.RH.10