Ages – 12-16
Quotation: “If anyone were to ask me what I want out of life I would say – the opportunity for doing something useful, for in no other way, I am convinced can true happiness be attained” Eleanor Roosevelt
Scripture: ”For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. “ Matthew 25:35-36 (KJV)
Books & Periodicals
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman
Who was Eleanor Roosevelt? By Gare Thompson
Cobblestone Magazine’s Eleanor Roosevelt edition – The teachers guide to this edition can be found at http://www.cobblestonepub.com/resources/cob8611t.html
Time for Life : Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady of the World
Field Trips
* Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum – Hyde Park, NY
* Arthurdale, WV – the first “New Deal” Homestead Community - http://arthurdalewv.org/
* National First Ladies Library – Canton, OH
* The White House – Washington, DC – special arrangements need to be made well in advance of your trip
* Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Memorial – Washington, DC
Writing Topics:
* How do you think Eleanor’s life may have been different if she had lived today?
* Even Eleanor was concerned about appearance. If you could be beautiful / handsome or smart, which would you choose and why?
* When her husband, as a NY senator, originally came out for the women’s suffragist movement, Eleanor was shocked, “ for I took for granted that men were superior creatures”. Later in her life, she was a staunch supporter of the suffragist movement. What do you account for the change in her position?
* Eleanor Roosevelt is famous for her response to a questioner at one of her public appearances. “Do you think your husband’s illness has affected his mentality?” “I am glad you asked that question. The answer is Yes. Anyone who has gone through great suffering is bound to have greater sympathy and understanding of the problems of mankind.” Do you agree with her assessment? Why or why not? Give specific examples.
History:
* Eleanor’s lineage can be followed back to the foundations of New York itself and to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Do some of your own research about your family. Try to trace your lineage back as far as you can. You may find http://www.rootsweb.com/ & http://www.familysearch.org/ helpful. Ancestry.com is a wonderful resource but it comes at a cost.
* Eleanor’s uncle, Theodore, became President himself. Find at least five things that Theodore’s presidency is known for.
* After Eleanor “came out”, she was enrolled in the Junior League. Find out what the Junior League organization is and what it stands for.
* When Eleanor joined the Consumers League, she became more engaged with issues of the common people. She was appalled when she was introduced to sweatshops and saw child labor for the first time. Do some research about child labor. How was child labor halted in this country? Where is child labor still an issue? Find out how you may help end child labor worldwide.
* Eleanor and Franklin were married on March 17, 1905, St. Patrick’s Day. Find out the history of St. Patrick’s Day.
Read the US’s Declaration of War for WWI on April 6, 1917.
* “What hopes we had that this League would prove the instrument for prevention of future wars,” Eleanor wrote. What is the League of Nations? Does it do what Eleanor and others hoped? * Create a two sided time line, comparing Eleanor and Franklin’s life (put one on each side).
* Choose one of these components of the Great Depression:
- Hoovervilles
- Black Monday
- New Deal
Research and report your findings.
* Eleanor served as a UN delegate after her husband’s death. In fact she was elected chair of the Human Rights Commission. What does this mean? What affect did she have?
Language:
* Eleanor learned French from her nurse and actually spoke French before she spoke English. Learn to count to ten in French and a few other helpful phrases.
Science:
* Anna, Eleanor’s mother, contracted diphtheria after and operation and died at 29 years old. Her brother, Ellie, died of it also. What are the symptoms, cause, and cure of this disease?
* Polio, infantile paralysis, struck Franklin Roosevelt in 1921 and was a major health concern for all Americans at the time. Polio is now considered eradicated from the US. Read about childhood immunizations. What other diseases have we warded off through immunizations? What are the world issues related to childhood immunizations?
Literature:
* Eleanor’s father was an alcoholic who fought with boughts of depression. For many years, he was even banned from living with his children. Still Eleanor had a deep need to please him. Eleanor once memorized and recited Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s "The Song of Hiawatha". Read the poem. Memorize a portion and perform it.
* When Eleanor was attending the private school Allenswood, one of the headmistress, Mademoiselle Souvestre, occasionally invited students back to her study to read poems and stories or to discuss current events. In this standard, invite a couple of your friends over to recreate such a poetry reading. Invite each attendee to be prepared to read at least two poems out loud. The poetry can be original or one that is already published.
* Eleanor was an author herself. She wrote for many newspapers and magazines. Indeed she even authored her own syndicated column called “My Day”. Read at least three articles penned by Eleanor. Write a critic of her writings.
Economics:
* Compare today to the 1940’s. Find the prices of at least 5 staples (bread, milk, eggs, etc), an average house, and an average salary back then and today.
Geography:
* Print out a blackline map of the world. As you read about Eleanor’s travels, color in the country on the map (Be sure to find a world map from the time period).
* As Eleanor pushed for women’s rights, she held a woman’s only press conference and flew with women pilot, Amelia Earhart. Use a map to calculate how many miles they flew together from DC to Baltimore.
* In her later life, Eleanor traveled worldwide to places like India, Israel, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Iran, Turkey, and Morocco. Choose one of these countries and create a travel brochure that might entice others to visit these places.
Music:
* Eleanor Roosevelt resigned her membership to the Daughters of the American Revolution when they refused to let Marian Anderson sing at their Constitution Hall in DC. Listen to Marian Anderson’s music.
Public Speaking:
* Eleanor Roosevelt became a very popular public speaker. She hired vocal coaches to help her with the pitch and tremble of her voice. What made her a good speaker was her passion for her subject matter. Research a subject that matters to you. Give an oral presentation persuading people to action on your cause.
* Eleanor’s uncle was Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. Research his Presidency. Pretend to give a press conference on one of the important issues of his Presidency. Be prepared for questions from the press.
Arts & Crafts:
* Eleanor Roosevelt was listed in “the 10 Most Powerful People in Washington” by political commentator, Raymond Clapper. Who do you think the 10 most powerful people in the world are? Create a poster that represents your opinion.
* Find out about fashions of the time period. Create an Eleanor Roosevelt paper doll and show at least three outfits that she may have worn.
Computer Skills:
* Create a power point presentation summarizing al that you have learned. Introduce someone else to Eleanor Roosevelt.
Vocabulary:
* Eleanor lived through both the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Relationships between countries were in flux. Different countries ran their governments in different ways. Look up the following words. Write their definition.
Totalitarianism
Socialism
Fascist
Democratic
Republic
Imperial
Pacifist
Neutrality
Project:
* Eleanor and two of her friends bout a private girl’s school in New York. Eleanor taught American History & English Literature. If you could design your own private school, what would it be like? Be creative. Present your school model in any format you wish. Think about the campus, the faculty, the courses, and the student body.
Missions / Action:
* Eleanor often visited military hospitals to improve moral. Follow in her footsteps. Arrange to visit with patients at a VA hospital.
* Eleanor often worried about people less fortunate than herself. Volunteer to serve at a local soup kitchen.
See Website Wednesday - Eleanor Roosevelt for related websites.
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