Influential Americans

Teachers may begin this inquiry by asking students what the word influential means (someone who has the power to make a big change or to inspire others to do something). Have students turn and talk to come up with a definition. Have several students share their thoughts and provide clarification as needed.

Next, ask pairs to talk about who they think is or was the most influential American and why they think that. After students have had time to discuss, generate a list for the class. Only include names if students can justify, with reason, why they think they are the most influential. 

Explain to students that today they will work to answer the question, “Who was the most influential American and why?” Students can choose one American pioneer from the source set (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, or George Washington) or other Americans upon approval from the classroom teacher. Introduce the source set they will use for this activity, reviewing the details from each source, on each slide. Individually, students will choose one American who they believe is/was most influential. They will use the sources to justify their answer. Students may also use trade books or other teacher approved websites to research.

Students will create a Most Influential American poster that includes contributions, character traits, facts, and opinions about the person. Lastly, students present their posters to the class. They may use their poster, sources, and research to justify and answer the question, “Who was the most influential American of all and why?”