Contextualization

Theodore Roosevelt, often referred to as Teddy, was the 26th President of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. He was a key figure in the Progressive Era, advocating for social, economic, and political reforms. Roosevelt's presidency was characterized by his "Square Deal" domestic policies, which aimed to protect the common people from the excesses of big business and promote social justice. His efforts in conservation led to the establishment of numerous national parks, forests, and monuments.

Roosevelt was an avid outdoorsman, soldier, explorer, and writer, with a passion for physical fitness and a love for nature. His life was filled with numerous achievements and challenges, making it a fascinating subject of study. His contributions to American history and his larger-than-life personality continue to have a lasting impact on the United States and the world.

The purpose of this project is to explore various aspects of Theodore Roosevelt's life and presidency, including his childhood, his political career, his accomplishments and challenges, his contributions to the conservation movement, and his legacy. By delving into these different facets, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of this remarkable figure in American history.

To get started on this fascinating journey, students are encouraged to access the following resources:

1. Theodore Roosevelt Association - A comprehensive website dedicated to the life and times of Theodore Roosevelt. It contains numerous articles, photos, and videos providing insights into his life and work.
2. Biography.com - Theodore Roosevelt - A concise biography on Theodore Roosevelt with a focus on his political career and presidency.
3. The American Presidency Project - Theodore Roosevelt - This page provides a wealth of information about Roosevelt's presidency, including his speeches, proclamations, and executive orders.
4. National Park Service - Theodore Roosevelt - A page dedicated to Roosevelt's contributions to the conservation movement and the creation of national parks.
5. PBS - The Roosevelts - Explore the documentary series by Ken Burns, "The Roosevelts: An Intimate History," which covers the lives of Theodore Roosevelt and his distant cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt.

It's time to embark on an exciting journey through the life and times of Theodore Roosevelt!

Practical Activity

Activity Title: The Life and Legacy of Theodore Roosevelt

Objective of the Project:

To conduct a comprehensive study of the life, political career, accomplishments, and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt and to present this information in the form of a visual timeline and a written report.

Description of the Project:

Working in groups of 3 to 5, students will research and discuss the various aspects of Theodore Roosevelt's life and presidency. They will then collaboratively create a visual timeline that highlights the key events and achievements of Roosevelt's life.

The visual timeline should include the following key aspects:

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Career and Presidency
3. Roles in Conservation and Progressive Movements
4. Post-Presidential Life and Legacy

In addition to the visual timeline, students will prepare a written report that delves deeper into their findings. The report should be divided into four main sections, each corresponding to a key aspect of Roosevelt's life and work.

Necessary Materials:

• Access to reliable internet for research
• Poster board or large sheet of paper for the timeline
• Markers, colored pencils, or pens for decorating the timeline
• Notebook or computer for taking notes and writing the report

Detailed Step-by-Step for Carrying out the Activity:

1. Form a Group and Divide Responsibilities: Each group should divide the research responsibilities equally among its members. This may include early life and education, political career and presidency, roles in conservation and progressive movements, and post-presidential life and legacy.

2. Conduct Research: Using the provided resources and any additional resources they find, students should research their assigned aspect of Roosevelt's life and work. They should take detailed notes, making sure to record significant events, achievements, and challenges.

3. Group Discussion: After completing their research, students should come together as a group to discuss their findings. This is an opportunity for each group member to share what they've learned and for the group to start piecing together the timeline.

4. Create the Timeline: Once the group has discussed and organized their findings, they should start creating their visual timeline. This can be done on a large sheet of paper or a poster board. The timeline should be neat, organized, and visually appealing.

5. Write the Report: Each group should now write their report. The report should be divided into four main sections, mirroring the key aspects of the timeline. The first section should cover Roosevelt's early life and education, the second section should focus on his political career and presidency, the third section should detail his roles in conservation and progressive movements, and the final section should discuss his post-presidential life and legacy.

6. Revise and Edit: After completing the first draft, each group should revise and edit their report for clarity, grammar, and content.

7. Prepare the Presentation: Finally, each group should prepare a short presentation (around 10 minutes) where they will present their timeline and report to the class. The presentation should be engaging and informative, covering the main points from their report.

Project Deliverables:

At the end of the project, each group should submit:

1. A visual timeline highlighting the key events and achievements of Theodore Roosevelt's life.
2. A written report detailing their research findings and discussion. The report should be divided into four main sections, each corresponding to a key aspect of Roosevelt's life and work.
3. A short presentation where they will present their timeline and report to the class.

The written report should be structured as follows:

1. Introduction: Provide an overview of Theodore Roosevelt and the purpose of the project. Introduce the four key aspects of Roosevelt's life and work.

2. Development: In this section, detail the methodology used for the project. Discuss the research process, the group discussions, and the creation of the timeline. Provide a thorough account of the key events, achievements, and challenges of Roosevelt's life.

3. Conclusion: Reflect on what the group has learned through this project. Highlight the most interesting or significant aspects of Roosevelt's life and legacy.

4. Bibliography: List all the resources used for the project, including books, websites, videos, etc. Use the appropriate citation style (e.g., MLA, APA).

Remember to cite all sources used for the project in the bibliography section of the report. This will help ensure that credit is given where it is due and that the project is conducted with academic integrity.