May 31, 1907: President Theodore Roosevelt Addresses a Joint Session of the Michigan Legislature May 31, 2007: TR Does it Again!
MGTV High School Lesson Plan Activities for the 100th Anniversary of TR’s Address
Instructions:
In 1907, Michigan Agriculture College (later to become Michigan State University) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its opening. In honor of the event, MAC President Jonathan L. Snyder invited President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt to speak to the graduating class. Roosevelt accepted. Prior to delivering MAC’s commencement address, he spoke to a joint session of the Michigan Legislature, becoming the first president to do so.
Ninety years later, President Bill Clinton also spoke to a join session of the Michigan legislature. Clinton’s remarks about TR’s visit provide many opportunities for reflection and inquiry.
Have your students view the reenactment of Roosevelt’s speech, and then share with them excerpts from President Clinton’s speech (See “Clinton Speech” link under Resources)
Learning Outcome Defined
The Grade Level Content Expectations were in draft form during the development of these lesson plan activities; however, we were confident the final draft approved by the State Board of Education would include the “transferable knowledge” identified in the purpose of these activities. The purpose of these activities is for students to analyze historical events and describe the impact on subsequent events.
Instructions:
Inform students what is Michigan Government Television (MGTV) and what it does for the citizens of Michigan. Refer to http://www.mgtv.org/mission.html.
Have your students view the reenactment of Roosevelt’s speech recorded by MGTV, and then share with them excerpts from President Clinton’s speech included with these activities.
Conduct a discussion of the historical context for Roosevelt’s remarks. See the resources that accompany this lesson for more detail on TR’s Lansing trip and life.
Select a suggested activity below keeping in mind the purpose is for students to analyze historical events and describe the impact on subsequent events.
Secondary Activities
Secondary Activity 1: Defining the American Century
President Clinton referred to the period between 1907 and 1997 as the “American Century.” What were the most significant political, social, economic, and scientific events or achievement of the American Century? Develop a PowerPoint presentation that explains how one of those events or achievements impacted the future of the country, and how a current event or achievement of your choosing will impact the future of the county.
Secondary Activity 2: Addressing the Legislature
If you had the opportunity to speak to a joint session of the state legislature, what two topics would you most want to address? President Roosevelt chose “election promises” and “securing proper control of corporations.” President Clinton chose “education reform” and “welfare reform.” Draft an address to the Michigan Legislature trying to influence it to your point of view on the two issues you choose and include an explanation of how your ideas will impact the future of Michigan and/or the United States.
Secondary Activity 3: Advocating for the common good
Has America achieved Roosevelt’s progressive goals of “securing proper control of corporations”? What is “proper” control of corporations under our system of government and enterprise? What mechanisms aside from government can get a corporation to change a practice that threatens some segment of the population or its interests?
Identify a corporation and write a letter to the president urging them to change a policy or improve business practice that will positively impact the economic opportunities for workers.
Lesson plans prepared by:
Roy Sovis
Coordinator for Instruction – Social Studies
Genesee Intermediate School District
David Barr
Education Consultant
Michigan Government Television
