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Lesson Plan Image

Landmark Leaders

Acknowledge the accomplishments of national leaders as students learn about them and create windows into their history.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    Every country has a seat of government, which is usually located in the nation's capital. Have students choose a country and its leaders or lawmakers to research. It might be the White House or the Capital in Washington, D.C.; the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottowa, Ontario; the Palace of Westminster (commonly called the Houses of Parliament) in London, England; the National Palace (Palacio Nacional) in Mexico City, Mexico, or a location in another country.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to research some notable government figures, either current or past, associated with the country they chose and some of the accomplishments they're known for. Then have them sketch the outline of the government facility where they work and then illustrate it in more detail. Include several windows and doors in the design and attach a piece of plain paper to the back of the paper.

  • Step 3

    Have students cut the windows and doors on three sides, being careful to only cut the top sheet so the windows and doors can be flipped open. Ask them to write the name of the key figure on the underside of the newly cut flap. Then have them draw an iconic symbol of that person's leadership on the piece of paper that shows through as the background.

  • Step 4

    Ask students to present their work to the class and talk about the country, leaders, and accomplishments they depicted.

  • Step 7

Standards

SS: Individual Development and Identity: Describe factors important to the development of personal identity and the context of identity within families, peer or affinity groups, schools, communities, and nationalities. 

SS: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions: Examine various institutions that affect one’s life and influence people’s thinking and how they advocate for ideas they believe in.

Adaptations

Have students research different forms of government such as democracies, monarchies, dictatorships, and others and find examples of each. In some cases there might be a hybrid; for for example, the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy which operates as a parliamentary democracy.

Have students pretend to be political candidates and write a speech outlining what they'd do if elected to office. Have them explore current policies that are beneficial and changes they would make to help the region.