Click here to return to the article

Comparing Inaugural Addresses

Subjects

• Language Arts
• Technology

Grades

• 6-8
• 9-12

Brief Description

Students compare and contrast inaugural addresses of past presidents of the United States.

Objectives

Students

• define the term inaugural address.
• use the Internet to research past inaugural addresses.
• study the inaugural addresses of two past presidents.
• compare and contrast the inaugural speeches of two past presidents

Keywords

inaugural address, compare, contrast, president, inauguration, speeches

Materials Needed

• computer(s) with Internet access
• writing paper
• pens or pencils
• computer(s) with spreadsheet program and printer (optional)

Lesson Plan

• Discuss the meaning of the term inaugural address. Discuss why a new president gives an inaugural address, or a speech, during the inaugural ceremonies.
• Explain that each inaugural address was unique. For example, William Henry Harrison, the ninth president, gave the longest inaugural address. His speech was 10,000 words and lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes. George Washington's second inaugural address was the shortest; his speech was only 135 words. Read to students George Washington' second inaugural address from George Washington: Second Inaugural Address.
• Assign each student two presidents. Have students research and study their assigned presidents' inaugural speeches from Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States or Presidential Inaugural Addresses.
• Have students create charts listing the similarities and differences of the speeches of their assigned presidents.
• Have students present their charts to the class.

Variation 1: If you have access to computers with spreadsheet programs, have students create their charts as spreadsheets.
Variation 2: Have students compare the inaugural speeches of presidents who served more than one term.
Extension: Have students compare the 2001 inaugural address to one or more past inaugural addresses.

Assessment

Evaluate students' charts and presentations.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Lois Lewis