Last updated: December 28, 2021
Lesson Plan
Analyzing Photographs of Theodore Roosevelt
- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts
- Lesson Duration:
- 30 Minutes
- State Standards:
- RH.6-8.2
RH.6-8.7
RH.6-8.8
WHST.6-8.4
WHST.6-8.6
WHST.6-8.8
Essential Question
How was Theodore able to go from a small, sickly boy to a strong, powerful man?
Objective
Students will analyze photographs and use background information to explain Theodore’s physical transformation.
Preparation
have all photographs to TR at various ages at hand.
Materials
Photograph of TR.
Download Photograph: Theodore Roosevelt
Photograph of TR as a teenaged
Download TR teenager photograph
Lesson Hook/Preview
The time, circumstances, families and conditions in which individuals are born can all have an affect on the trajectory of their lives. In this lesson students will examine Theodore's successes, and examine how the time period, family, circumstances and conditions with which he was born would limit or benefit his life's trajectory.
Procedure
-
Engage:
Ask the question: "To what extent, if any, does our childhood define who we become later in life?" Discuss ideas amongst the class, or within small groups. Brainstorm a list of individuals who "overcame the odds" and are successful today. Share and discuss these stories amongst one another or as a class. Ask students what helped/hindered these individuals? How did those individuals define success?
Explore:
Ask students independently or in groups to find stories about Theodore Roosevelt's achievements throughout his life. Discuss as a class what these accompaniments were, and how TR attained them. Did he have to overcome any challenges to do so? If so, what were they? Did he have help along the way? Who supported him?
Explain:
Theodore Roosevelt (T.R.) was an individual who beat the odds as a child and went on to live a strenuous life. Many recognize the adult T.R. as a hunter, statesman, explorer, rough rider, conservationist, and father. However, he was born in 1858, during the Victorian Era in New York City (NYC) with a severe case of asthma and grew up as a sickly child. Imagine the lack of medical knowledge there was in 1858 compared to today! He endured "treatments" like puffing on cigars, drinking black coffee, or being raced down the street in the family buggy to try and force air into his lungs! One day, his father sat him down, challenging him to "build his body." Theodore took this challenge to heart, and began to work out using a custom made gym in on a back patio of his house. Theodore Roosevelt was born into wealth, which allowed "Teedie" (childhood nickname) the best medical treatment. Teedie had opportunities and experiences that other boys in different living situations may have lacked: He went on two grand tours of Europe by the age of 14, summered in Oyster Bay, NY (Long Island), was homes, received private taxidermy lessons, and was able to attend a gym to receive boxing lessons. As a young man, Theodore attended Harvard, traveled across the country to other states (ME, NE), and became a New York Assemblyman by the age of 23. By the age of 43, Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest man to ascend into the Presidency, after his tenure in various political positions. After his Presidency, he took a trip to Africa with his son Kermit, and also explore a tributary to the Amazon River in Brazil! His success throughout his life occurred in part because of his tenacity to pursue to the "strenuous life" and the family and circumstances he was born into.
Elaborate:
Have students apply what they learned about in TR's life, and write a self-reflective piece on how their own childhood (time, circumstances, family, conditions) has affected their lives so far: What has helped or hindered them? What is happening today, and how does it compare to what was happening in TR's days?
Evaluate:
Discussion questions: What helped you to learn today? What did we learn about T.R. and ourselves? What is the most important contributor to success in our own lives?
Assessment Materials
Students should complete the analyze a photograph organizer or record their findings using another manner. Students will then compose a 1-page essay comparing their photograph with Theodore’s childhood photographs. Students should conclude their writing with an explanation of how Theodore strengthened himself to become the man in the adult photo.
Enrichment Activities
- This lesson and the Facing Adversity lesson are complementary and could be used together.
- Students include a copy of the photographs with their writing.
- Students put together a short presentation (PowerPoint) comparing the photographs.
- Students create a poster. (A gallery walk could be implemented).