It would be most appropriate for high school students who are taking U.S. history or American government. The essay would be an interesting way to stimulate a discussion among students on standards for evaluating presidents. A photograph or slide of Mt. Rushmore. Websites on the background of Mt. Rushmore Initial Motivation Discuss what the students know about the who, what, when, where, how and why of Mt. Rushmore. Have students read the Hugh Sidey article on rating presidents.
Procedures Put students into groups of four to six students each.
After the groups have completed their assessments, have a class discussion about the qualities that describe the nation's great presidents. Focus back on the photograph or slide of Mt. Rushmore and explain that the final task for each student will be to write an essay or prepare a speech explaining why their choice of a great president should be added to the other faces on Mt. Rushmore. On the due date, conduct a poll of the class to see which presidents were chosen, discuss the results and what the students learned about defining presidential greatness. They should also discuss the standards used and a thorough analysis of the evidence used to support their conclusion. Bill Whinnery taught AP government and U.S. history at Rowland High School in California.