Know More About Mount Rushmore: Why These Four Presidents?

Your mission
You will work in pairs. Each pair will work on one of the four presidents on Mount Rushmore and prepare a short oral presentation.

Why These Four Presidents - Worksheet for Pairs A

Text for pairs A

"1 Why These Four Presidents?
Gutzon Borglum selected these four presidents because from his perspective, they represented the most important events in the history of the United States. 

George Washington, First President of the United States

2 Born 1732, died 1799. Washington led the colonists in the American Revolutionary War to win independence from Great Britain. He was the father of the new country and laid the foundation of American democracy.3 Because of his importance, Borglum chose Washington to be the most prominent figure on the mountain and represent the birth of the United States."

1. Read and understand. Read the short text above about your president.
a. Write 5-8 key words or short phrases about your president. You will not copy the full biography or full sentences.
b. Think about:

Important dates (birth, death, time in office)
Main achievements
What he represents on Mount Rushmore

You may use the internet to do a little extra research.

2. Find a visual.
Choose a picture, symbol, or map that shows something significant about your president. 
Important:You must explain why you chose this visual.

3. Practise your presentation.
Speak loud enough, slowly and clearly. Rehearse as many times as you need to be able not to read your notes.
Your presentation should be about 1-2 minutes long.

4.Present to the class.
Share your president, your visual, and explain why his face was chosen for Mount Rushmore.
Be ready to answer one or two simple questions from your classmates.

Remember to:

Speak clearly and confidently
Show you understand your president’s importance
Include and explain your visual
Use your own words

5.Fill inyour "Personal Recap Chart."

Why These Four Presidents - Worksheet for Pairs B

Textfor pairs B

"1 Why These Four Presidents?

Gutzon Borglum selected these four presidents because from his perspective, they represented the most important events in the history of the United States. [...]

2 Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States

Born 1743, died 1826. Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, a document which inspires democracies around the world.3 He also purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 which doubled the size of our country, adding all or part of fifteen present-day states. Gutzon Borglum chose Jefferson to represent the growth of the United States."

1. Read and understand. Read the short text above about your president.
a.Write 5-8 key words or short phrases about your president. You will not copy the full biography or full sentences.
b.Think about: 

Important dates (birth, death, time in office)
Main achievements
What he represents on Mount Rushmore

You may use the internet to do a little extra research.

2. Find a visual.
Choose a picture, symbol, or map that shows something significant about your president. 
Important: You must explain why you chose this visual.

3. Practise your presentation.
Speak loud enough, slowly and clearly. Rehearse as many times as you need to be able not to read your notes.
Your presentation should be about 1-2 minutes long.

4. Present to the class.
Share your president, your visual, and explain why his face was chosen for Mount Rushmore.
Be ready to answer one or two simple questions from your classmates.

Remember to:

Speak clearly and confidently
Show you understand your president’s importance
Include and explain your visual
Use your own words

5.Fill inyour "Personal Recap Chart."

Why These Four Presidents - Worksheet for Pairs C

Textfor pairs C

"1 Why These Four Presidents?

Gutzon Borglum selected these four presidents because from his perspective, they represented the most important events in the history of the United States. [...]

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States

2 Born 1858, died 1919. Roosevelt provided leadership when America experienced rapid economic growth as it entered the 20th Century. He was instrumental in negotiating the construction of the Panama Canal, linking the east and the west.3He was known as the 'trust buster' for his work to end large corporate monopolies and ensure the rights of the common working man. Borglum chose Roosevelt to represent the development of the United States."

1.Read and understand. Read the short text above about your president.
a.Write 5-8 key wordsor short phrases about your president. You will not copy the full biography or full sentences.
b. Think about: 

Important dates (birth, death, time in office)
Main achievements
What he represents on Mount Rushmore

You may use the internet to do a little extra research.

2. Find a visual.
Choose a picture, symbol, or map that shows something significant about your president. 
Important: You must explain why you chose this visual.

3. Practise your presentation.
Speak loud enough, slowly and clearly. Rehearse as many times as you need to be able not to read your notes.
Your presentation should be about 1-2 minutes long.

4. Present to the class.
Share your president, your visual, and explain why his face was chosen for Mount Rushmore.
Be ready to answer one or two simple questions from your classmates.

Remember to:

Speak clearly and confidently
Show you understand your president’s importance
Include and explain your visual
Use your own words

5.Fill inyour "Personal Recap Chart."

Know More About Mount Rushmore: Why These Four Presidents?

A Representation of American Ideals - Pre-Viewing Worksheet

A Representation of American Ideals - Video

A Representation of American Ideals - Video Worksheet

Why These Four Presidents - Your mission

Why These Four Presidents - Worksheet for Pairs A

Why These Four Presidents - Worksheet for Pairs B

Why These Four Presidents - Worksheet for Pairs C