Review the Academic Content Standards related to this lesson. Articulate their prior knowledge and their feelings about pardons and the pardon process. Reflect upon the fairness of pardons and brainstorm reasons for pardons. Explore a Clinton pardon in depth. Synthesize their research and discussion by reading Clinton's rationale for his pardons, writing an opinion letter, and creating pardon guidelines for President Bush.
Students then share their responses.
Brainstorm a list of possible criteria. Divide students into small groups. After gathering facts about the case, students discuss the pros and cons of granting pardons to the individuals involved. Acting as advisors to the former president, students should advise either for against the pardon. At a later date, students should be prepared to share the important information about the case and their consensus about the pardon with the class.