Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Students will be able to explain the major events and policies of Donald Trump's presidency, specifically focusing on the years 2017-2021. This includes his approach to immigration, foreign policy, the economy, and social issues.

2. Students will be able to analyze the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on the United States and global affairs. This involves discussing both positive and negative effects, and considering different perspectives.

3. Students will develop critical thinking skills by comparing and contrasting Donald Trump's presidency with previous administrations, and by evaluating the long-term effects of his policies.

Secondary Objectives:

• Students will improve their research and presentation skills by conducting independent research on Donald Trump's presidency and presenting their findings in class.
• Students will enhance their understanding of the American political system and the role of the President in shaping domestic and international policies.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. The teacher begins the lesson by reminding students of the basic structure of the United States government, focusing on the role of the President and the four-year electoral cycle. The teacher can use a visual aid, such as a diagram or a timeline, to help students visualize this information.

2. Next, the teacher presents two problem situations that will serve as starters for the development of the lesson.

   • Problem 1: "Imagine you are a citizen of the United States in 2016. You have just elected Donald Trump as your President. What are your expectations? What changes do you anticipate in the country's policies and international relations?"
   • Problem 2: "Now fast forward to 2020. You have seen Donald Trump's presidency for four years. How have your expectations been met? How have things changed? What are some of the major events and policies that have defined his presidency?"

3. The teacher contextualizes the importance of the subject by explaining how the decisions made by a President can have a significant impact on a country and its citizens. The teacher can use real-world examples or current events to show how the policies of a President can shape the economy, social issues, and international relations.

4. To introduce the topic in an engaging way, the teacher shares two intriguing facts about Donald Trump's presidency:

   • Fact 1: "Did you know that Donald Trump was the first President in US history to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives? Only two other Presidents, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, have been impeached in the past."
   • Fact 2: "Despite the controversy surrounding his presidency, Donald Trump was able to broker historic peace deals in the Middle East, including the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab countries."

5. The teacher wraps up the introduction by stating that understanding the events and policies of Donald Trump's presidency is essential to understanding recent US history and the role of the President in shaping the country. The teacher then transitions to the main part of the lesson, where students will delve deeper into these topics through hands-on activities and discussions.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity 1: "Presidential Policy Collage"

   • The teacher divides the students into small groups and provides each group with a large poster board, scissors, glue sticks, and a set of pre-printed images representing various events and policies from Donald Trump's presidency. The images should include pictures of Donald Trump, significant events like his inauguration and the Black Lives Matter protests, and symbols related to his policies such as a border wall or a stock market graph.

   • The teacher explains that the groups' task is to create a collage that tells a story about Donald Trump's presidency. They are to arrange the pictures in a timeline format, with the earliest events at the top and the most recent at the bottom. Each image must be accompanied by a short caption explaining the event or policy it represents.

   • During the activity, the teacher circulates the room, providing guidance and answering questions. The teacher ensures that students are actively engaged in discussion and decision-making processes, promoting a cooperative learning environment.

   • After the collages are completed, each group presents their work to the class, explaining their timeline and the reasoning behind their choices. The teacher facilitates a class discussion about the similarities and differences between the groups' collages, promoting critical thinking and analysis.

2. Activity 2: "Presidential Policy Debate"

   • The teacher asks the students to remain in their groups and prepares a set of policy cards. Each card should have a short description of a policy or event from Donald Trump's presidency, both positive and negative, for example, "building the wall" or "impeachment trials".

   • The teacher explains that the groups' task is to debate the merits and drawbacks of the policies or events on their card. One student in each group is designated as the "pro" and another as the "con". The other students in the group prepare arguments and counter-arguments based on their understanding of the issue.

   • The teacher ensures that all students have a chance to participate in the debate. This activity not only develops their understanding of the issues but also hones their critical thinking and public speaking skills.

   • After each group has had the opportunity to debate, the class engages in a discussion about the different policies and events, further deepening their understanding of Donald Trump's presidency and its impact.

3. Activity 3: "President's Chair Interviews"

   • The teacher concludes the development phase of the lesson with a fun and engaging activity. Four students are selected to sit at the front of the class, each taking on the role of a different President (Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump).

   • The remaining students are to ask the "Presidents" questions about their policies, events during their presidency, and their thoughts on Donald Trump's presidency. This activity encourages students to consider the continuity and change in US presidential policies and administrations.

   • The teacher guides the "interviews," ensuring that all questions are appropriate and that all students have an opportunity to participate. After the interviews, the teacher facilitates a discussion about the perspectives shared and the students' insights.

Feedback (10 - 12 minutes)

1. The teacher initiates a group discussion where each group shares their solutions or conclusions from the activities. This includes a summary of their collage, the main points from their policy debate, and the key insights from the "President's Chair Interviews". Each group is given up to 3 minutes to present their findings.

2. The teacher then assesses the connections made by each group between the activities and the theory. For example, the teacher might highlight how the collage activity helped students visualize the timeline of Trump's presidency, while the debate activity encouraged them to analyze his policies from different perspectives. The teacher might also point out how the "President's Chair Interviews" activity allowed students to understand the continuity and change in US presidential policies and administrations.

3. The teacher proceeds to facilitate a whole-class discussion on the broader implications of the students' findings. This includes the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on the United States and global affairs, the effectiveness of his policies, and the role of the President in shaping a country's direction. The teacher encourages students to express their opinions and engages them in respectful debate.

4. The teacher then asks the students to take a moment to reflect on the lesson and their learning. The teacher poses the following questions:

   • "What was the most important concept you learned today about Donald Trump's presidency?"
   • "What questions do you still have about his presidency or the role of the President in general?"

5. The teacher encourages students to share their reflections and questions with the class. The teacher takes note of any recurring questions or misconceptions to address in future lessons.

6. To conclude the feedback session, the teacher provides a brief overview of the next lesson, which might focus on a different US President or a broader topic in US history. The teacher also reminds students to continue their independent research on Donald Trump's presidency for their upcoming assignments.

7. Finally, the teacher thanks the students for their active participation and encourages them to reach out if they have any further questions or concerns. The teacher emphasizes that understanding recent US history and the role of the President is not only important for their academic studies but also for their role as responsible citizens.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. The teacher begins the conclusion by summarizing the main contents of the lesson. The teacher reminds students of the major events and policies during Donald Trump's presidency, ranging from his approach to immigration, foreign policy, the economy, and social issues, to the controversies and significant peace deals he brokered.

2. The teacher then explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications. The teacher emphasizes how the hands-on activities, such as the "Presidential Policy Collage," the "Presidential Policy Debate," and the "President's Chair Interviews," allowed students to apply the theoretical knowledge they gained about Donald Trump's presidency. The teacher also highlights how these activities helped students develop practical skills, such as critical thinking, research, presentation, and debate skills, which are applicable in various real-world contexts.

3. The teacher suggests additional materials for students to further explore the topic. This may include documentaries about Donald Trump's presidency, biographies, reputable news articles, or websites with reliable information about US politics. The teacher encourages students to research different perspectives on Trump's presidency to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

4. The teacher then briefly explains the importance of understanding Donald Trump's presidency for everyday life. The teacher points out that as future voters and citizens, it is crucial for students to be informed about recent US history and the role of the President. The teacher also emphasizes that studying the policies and events of Trump's presidency can help students understand the factors that shape a country's direction, the role of leadership, and the complexity of decision-making at the highest level of government.

5. Lastly, the teacher concludes the lesson by thanking the students for their active participation and encouraging them to continue their independent research and critical thinking about Donald Trump's presidency. The teacher reiterates the importance of the subject for their overall understanding of US history and their role as informed citizens.