Unsung Presidents: Impact and Legacy
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we bring to light the impact and legacy of a lesser-known president through an engaging and accessible museum exhibit, exploring what truly makes a president 'great' and ensuring their story is not lost to history?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do we decide whose stories get told throughout history?
- What qualities make a president 'great'?
- What is the difference between a popular president and an effective one?
- How can we uncover and share the stories of unsung heroes?
- How can we make history engaging and accessible to a wider audience?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to research and analyze the life, presidency, and impact of a lesser-known US president.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Hidden Room
A "breaking news" report announces the discovery of a hidden room in the White House, containing evidence of a forgotten president and their remarkable achievements. Students become investigative journalists, uncovering the president's story.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Presidential Time-Travelers
Students will select a lesser-known U.S. president and delve into their background, motivations, and key life events leading up to their presidency. They will create a biographical timeline.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed biographical timeline highlighting key events and influences in the president's life.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsResearch and analysis of a lesser-known president's life, impact, and presidency.Decision Decoder
Students will analyze key decisions made by their chosen president, exploring their motivations, the immediate consequences, and the lasting impact on American society.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA cause-and-effect chart illustrating the short-term and long-term impacts of key presidential decisions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAnalysis of presidential decisions and their short-term and long-term impacts.Exhibit Architects
Students will synthesize their research to design a museum exhibit showcasing their president's impact and legacy. They will create exhibit components such as informative panels, interactive displays, and engaging visuals.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed blueprint and design plan for a museum exhibit, including informative text, visual aids, and interactive elements.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsDesigning and developing a museum exhibit.Museum Curators
Students will present their museum exhibit designs and justify their choices regarding information, visuals, and layout. They will explain how their exhibit effectively communicates the president's impact.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation explaining and justifying the exhibit design choices, including how the exhibit effectively communicates the chosen president's impact and legacy.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsPresenting and justifying design choices.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioUnsung Presidential Heroes Assessment Rubric
Research and Analysis
Evaluates the student's ability to research and critically analyze the life and presidency of a lesser-known U.S. president.Historical Research
Assesses the thoroughness and accuracy of research conducted on the chosen president.
Exemplary
4 PointsConducts comprehensive research that is highly accurate, including a variety of credible sources. Thoroughly understands the president’s background, significant events, and historical context.
Proficient
3 PointsConducts thorough research using credible sources. Understands the president’s background and significant events, with accurate historical context.
Developing
2 PointsConducts partial research with some credible sources. Shows a basic understanding of the president’s background and significant events.
Beginning
1 PointsConducts minimal research with few credible sources. Shows limited understanding of the president’s background and historical context.
Critical Analysis
Assesses the student’s ability to analyze the key decisions and impacts of the chosen president.
Exemplary
4 PointsAnalyzes key decisions with a sophisticated understanding of motivations and long-term impacts. Draws insightful connections to broader historical patterns.
Proficient
3 PointsAnalyzes key decisions with a clear understanding of motivations and impacts. Makes connections to historical patterns.
Developing
2 PointsAnalyzes key decisions with partial understanding of motivations and impacts. Limited connections to broader historical patterns.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides minimal analysis of key decisions, lacking understanding of motivations and impacts.
Creative Design
Evaluates the creativity and effectiveness of the museum exhibit design, including layout and engagement components.Exhibit Design
Assesses creativity, organization, and the effectiveness of the exhibit in engaging audiences.
Exemplary
4 PointsDesigns a highly engaging and creative exhibit, clearly organized with innovative interactive elements. Effectively engages a broad audience and highlights key themes.
Proficient
3 PointsDesigns an engaging and well-organized exhibit with effective interactive elements. Engages the audience and highlights key themes.
Developing
2 PointsDesign includes some engaging and organized elements, but lacks cohesion or creativity. Limited audience engagement.
Beginning
1 PointsExhibit design is minimally engaging, disorganized, and lacks interactive elements.
Informative Content
Assesses the clarity and depth of the informative content included in the exhibit.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides in-depth, clear, and well-structured informative content that enhances understanding of the president's impact and legacy.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides clear and well-structured informative content that communicates the president's impact and legacy.
Developing
2 PointsProvides some clear and structured content, but lacks depth. Partial communication of the president's impact.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides minimal and unclear content that struggles to communicate the president's impact.
Presentation Skills
Evaluates the student's ability to present their exhibit design and justify their design choices effectively.Delivery and Justification
Assesses the clarity of presentation delivery and the ability to justify design choices.
Exemplary
4 PointsDelivers an articulate and engaging presentation, confidently justifying design choices with comprehensive explanations.
Proficient
3 PointsDelivers a clear presentation that effectively justifies design choices with clear explanations.
Developing
2 PointsDelivers a somewhat clear presentation with partial justification of design choices.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to deliver a clear presentation and justify design choices.