Description of lesson/activity
1. describe important decisions and actions made by Jackson and his supporters during his presidency.
2. evaluate and determine whether the decisions and actions benefited or harmed the American people.
3. interpret and paraphrase primary resources.
4. justify an opinion based on information from his/her research.
1. Students will have an understanding of the features of the different sections of the country. The election of Andrew Jackson, a Westerner and Democrat, represented a big change in American politics.
2. The teacher should provide students with an understanding of the controversial election of 1824 and the formation of the Democratic party. Teachers should provide information on the rise in popularity of Andrew Jackson culminating in his inauguration.
3. The teacher should distribute "Student Reading A: Rotation of Government Offices." Students should read the statement by Jackson, paraphrase it, and decide: (1) how his actions expanded the role of presidency, and (2) whether or not these actions were of benefit to the American people. Teachers may want to allow students to work in groups for the paraphrasing in order to ensure understanding. Students may complete the worksheet questions on their own.
4. A second reading entitled "Student Reading B: Indian Policy" is included to show another view of Jackson's presidency.
5. The teacher should provide additional evidence of how Jackson expanded the presidency. The teacher should also explain that these democratic developments were accomplished not simply by Andrew Jackson but with the support of many others. Suggestions of topics include:
6. With this background, students will be able to evaluate Andrew Jackson's presidency. Distribute "Concluding Activity: Andrew Jackson." Students will place a check on the continuum and use three examples to justify their rating. Any point on the continuum is correct provided that the student supports the rating with relevant evidence. The teacher should use the accompanying "Andrew Jackson: Assessment Criteria" to grade the essay.
Resource 1: Student Reading A: Rotation of Government Offices
Resource 2: Student Reading B: Indian Policy
Resource 3: Concluding Activity: Andrew Jackson
Resource 4: Andrew Jackson: Assessment Criteria