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William Howard Taft National Historic Site
Curriculum Materials
 

 

William Howard Taft NHS

Lesson # 1

 

Toys, Tots, and Tafts

                                                                                                                                                                                               

Grade Level: K - 2nd

Objectives:

  • Compare and contrast the different recreational activities in which a Victorian family would use for entertainment to the present day family’s entertainment.
  • Understand the importance of family relationships.   
  • Practicing life – long skills such as hand – eye coordination demonstration the use of toy tops, Jacobs Ladders, tiddly – winks, a trapeze acrobat, and a tea set.


Lesson Summary:

This lesson examines how William Howard Taft and his siblings spent their family recreations growing up in Mount Auburn during the 1850’s time period. William Howard Taft and his family valued the simple things in life from reading Aesop’s Fables, playing with old wooden toys, to strong family values displayed to him that would lead him to become a very important figure in American History.

 

Estimated Duration: Approximately 20 - 30  minutes

Group Size: 35 in classroom

OhioStandards Connection:

 

History

Benchmark B

Place events in correct order on a time line.

Indicators: 2B, 3B

 

Benchmark C

Compare daily life in the past and present demonstrating an understanding that while basic human needs remain the same, they are met in different ways in different times and places.

Indicators: 4C, 5C

 

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

Benchmark A

Describe the results of cooperation in group settings and demonstrate the necessary skills.

Indicators: 1, 1A, 1B, 1C

Benchmark B

 

 

 

 

 



William Howard Taft NHS

Lesson #2

 

The Measure of a Man or a Woman

                                                                                                                                                                                               

Grade Level: 3rd – 5th

Objectives:

·         Define how we “measure up” to certain standards in our society such as family, friends, and our personal self – accomplishments.

·         Compare/Contrast their family lifestyle to William Howard Taft’s family lifestyle.

·         List two reasons why it is important to protect and preserve National Park resources.

Lesson Summary:

This lesson will help students to re-live the early years of William Howard Taft and his family as well as, explore the Taft family’s values practiced in their household. This program consists of seven students dressing up into period clothing costumes and role – playing William Howard Taft and his family while the other students in the audience are reporters, who interview the Tafts’ about living in Cincinnati during the 1850’s and 1860’s.

 

Estimated duration: Approx. 45 minutes

Group Size: 35 in classroom

OhioStandards Connection:

 

People in Societies

Benchmark A

Compare practices and products of North American cultural groups.

Indicators: 1D, 1E, 1F

 

Benchmark B

Explain the reasons people from various groups came to North America and the consequences of their interactions with each other.

Indicator: 3C

 

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

Benchmark B

Identify rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States that are important for preserving democratic government.

Indicators: 3B, 3C, 3, 2A

 

 

William Howard Taft NHS

Lesson # 3



William Howard Taft – The Man of Many Hats                                                                                                              

 

Grade Level: 5 – 10

Objectives:

  • To identify the three branches of government
  • To understand that the President must be multi – dimensional because the decisions he makes will impact the American people.
  • List the two highest positions held during William Howard Taft’s career.

 

Lesson Summary:

This lesson examines the career of William Howard Taft through the many different characteristics often associated with other Presidents as well as Supreme Court leaders. William Howard Taft’s career in public service exemplifies a man with great integrity, who wore many hats when making crucial decisions that affected the well being of the American People.

 

 

 

Estimated Duration: Approx. 45 minutes

Group Size: 30

Setting: Indoors or Outdoors

OhioStandards Connection:

    

Government

 

Benchmark A

Identify the responsibilities of the branches of the United States government and explain why they are necessary.

 

Indicators 1B, 1C

 

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

 

   Benchmark B

       Identify rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States that are

   Important for preserving democratic government.

 

   Indicators 3B, 3C, 2, 3, 2A

 

 

 

Young William Attends public school
Young William posses for family portrait
The importance of education
more...
The importants of family  

Did You Know?
Members of the Taft family have served as Mayor, Governor, State Senator, State Representative, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, Secretary of War, Ambassador, President and Chief Justice of the United States.

Last Updated: August 02, 2008 at 15:44 EST