Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

• Objective 1: Students will be able to identify the key events and milestones in Barack Obama's life, from childhood to presidency. This objective aims to give students a comprehensive overview of Obama's life and career, helping them understand the context in which he became the 44th President of the United States.

• Objective 2: Students will gain an understanding of the significance of Barack Obama's presidency in American history. This objective focuses on the impact of Obama's policies, his role as the first African American president, and the changes he brought about during his time in office.

• Objective 3: Students will be encouraged to analyze and discuss the challenges and achievements of Barack Obama's presidency. This objective aims to foster critical thinking and engagement with the material, prompting students to form their own opinions and perspectives on Obama's presidency.

Secondary objectives:

• Objective 4: Students will develop their research skills by using various sources to gather information about Barack Obama. This objective aims to teach students how to find reliable information and use it to form a well-rounded understanding of a historical figure.

• Objective 5: Students will enhance their presentation skills by sharing their research findings with the class. This objective focuses on oral communication and presentation skills, which are important in many areas of life beyond the classroom.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

• The teacher begins the class by reminding the students of the broader context of American history, specifically the Civil Rights Movement and the struggle for racial equality. The teacher can use images, short videos, or anecdotes to engage the students and draw their attention to this period. (2 - 3 minutes)

• The teacher then presents two problem situations to the students:

  1. "Imagine you are an African American child growing up in the 1960s. What challenges might you face?"
  2. "Consider the following scenario: You have just been elected as the first African American President of the United States. What changes would you want to bring about, and what challenges might you encounter?" (4 - 5 minutes)

• The teacher contextualizes the importance of the subject by explaining how Barack Obama's presidency was a significant milestone in American history, breaking racial barriers and symbolizing the progress made since the Civil Rights Movement. The teacher can also highlight the relevance of this topic to current events, such as the ongoing discussions on race and equality in America. (2 - 3 minutes)

• To grab the students' attention, the teacher can share two intriguing facts or stories related to Barack Obama:

  1. "Did you know that Barack Obama's full name is Barack Hussein Obama II? His middle name, Hussein, is of Arabic origin and means 'handsome' or 'good' in Swahili."
  2. "Here's an interesting story: When Barack Obama was a child, he wanted to be a professional basketball player. He even played on his high school's varsity team, but he realized that he wasn't good enough to make a career out of it. Instead, he turned his attention to politics and public service, which eventually led him to the presidency." (2 - 3 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

• Early Life and Education (5 - 7 minutes)

  • The teacher starts the lesson by discussing Barack Obama's early life, including his birth in Hawaii, his mixed-race heritage, and his upbringing by his mother and grandparents after his parents' divorce. The teacher emphasizes the multicultural influences on Obama's childhood and how they might have shaped his worldview and policies later in life. (2 - 3 minutes)
  • The teacher then moves on to Obama's education, highlighting his academic achievements and his time as the first African American editor of the Harvard Law Review. This part of the lesson allows students to see how Obama's early experiences and education set the stage for his future career. (2 - 3 minutes)
  • The teacher should encourage students to ask questions and engage in discussions about the impact of Obama's early life and education on his later political career.

• Political Career and Road to Presidency (7 - 9 minutes)

  • The teacher then transitions to Barack Obama's political career, starting with his role as an Illinois State Senator and his early involvement in community organizing in Chicago. The teacher can use this part of the lesson to highlight Obama's grassroots approach to politics and his focus on community empowerment. (2 - 3 minutes)
  • The teacher then discusses Obama's decision to run for the U.S. Senate and his subsequent victory, highlighting the significance of becoming only the third African American senator since Reconstruction. (2 - 3 minutes)
  • The teacher finally covers Obama's campaign for the presidency, discussing his platform of hope and change and the historic nature of his candidacy. This section of the lesson allows students to explore the challenges and opportunities of running for the highest office in the land. (3 - 4 minutes)

• Presidential Achievements and Legacy (5 - 7 minutes)

  • The teacher then delves into Barack Obama's presidential term, focusing on his key achievements such as the Affordable Care Act, the economic recovery after the 2008 financial crisis, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the killing of Osama bin Laden. The teacher should emphasize the impact of these policies and actions on the American people and the world. (3 - 4 minutes)
  • The teacher then moves on to the discussion of Obama's legacy, highlighting his role as the first African American president and his influence on the future of American politics. This part of the lesson allows students to consider the long-term effects of Obama's presidency and its significance in American history. (2 - 3 minutes)

• Reflection on Obama's Presidency (3 - 4 minutes)

  • The teacher concludes the development stage of the lesson by facilitating a class discussion on the challenges and successes of Obama's presidency. The teacher should encourage students to reflect on what they have learned and form their own opinions about Obama's impact on American society. The teacher can use guiding questions such as "What do you think were the most significant accomplishments of Obama's presidency?" and "What challenges do you think Obama faced as the first African American president?" to spark the discussion. (3 - 4 minutes)

Feedback (10 - 12 minutes)

• Assessment of Learning (5 - 6 minutes)

  • The teacher begins this stage by summarizing the main points of the lesson, ensuring that all the key aspects of Barack Obama's life and presidency have been covered. The teacher can do this using a visual aid such as a timeline or a mind map, which provides a clear overview of the topic and helps students visualize the sequence of events. (2 - 3 minutes)
  • The teacher then assesses what the students have learned by asking a series of quick recall questions. These questions can cover various aspects of the lesson, from Obama's early life to his political career and presidency. For example, the teacher might ask, "What was the name of the legislation that was a major part of Obama's domestic policy?" or "What were some of the key achievements of Obama's presidency?" The teacher should ensure that all students have an opportunity to answer and provide corrections or clarifications as needed. (2 - 3 minutes)
  • The teacher can also assess the students' understanding of the material by asking them to make connections between different parts of the lesson. For instance, the teacher might ask, "How do you think Obama's early life and education influenced his political career and presidency?" or "In what ways did Obama's presidency build on the achievements of the Civil Rights Movement?" These questions encourage students to think critically and demonstrate their understanding of the material. (1 - 2 minutes)

• Reflection and Discussion (5 - 6 minutes)

  • The teacher then prompts the students to reflect on the lesson and their learning experience. The teacher can ask open-ended questions such as:
    1. "What was the most important concept you learned today?"
    2. "Which questions do you still have about Barack Obama's life and presidency?"
  • The teacher should give the students a moment to think and then invite volunteers to share their answers. This reflection period allows students to consolidate their understanding of the material and identify areas they might need to review. (2 - 3 minutes)
  • The teacher can also facilitate a discussion about the relevance of the lesson to the students' lives. For instance, the teacher might ask, "How do you think Obama's presidency has influenced American society today?" or "What can we learn from Obama's life and career about overcoming challenges and achieving success?" These questions encourage students to make connections between the historical material and their own experiences, enhancing their understanding and engagement. (2 - 3 minutes)

This feedback stage provides a comprehensive assessment of the students' learning and encourages them to reflect on their learning process. It also allows the teacher to gauge the effectiveness of the lesson and make any necessary adjustments for future classes.

Conclusion (3 - 5 minutes)

• Summary and Recap (1 - 2 minutes):

  • The teacher begins the concluding stage by summarizing the main points of the lesson. The teacher reiterates the key events and milestones in Barack Obama's life, from his multicultural upbringing to his historic presidency. The teacher also reminds the students of Obama's significant achievements, both in terms of policy and breaking racial barriers. (1 minute)
  • The teacher then recaps the class discussion about the challenges and successes of Obama's presidency, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and analysis in understanding historical figures and events. (1 minute)

• Connection of Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 minute):

  • The teacher explains how the lesson connected theoretical knowledge (historical events and figures) with practical applications (understanding the impact of Obama's policies and presidency). The teacher emphasizes how the lesson encouraged students to apply their understanding of historical events to their own lives and the current socio-political context. (1 minute)

• Additional Resources (1 minute):

  • The teacher suggests additional resources for students who wish to further explore the topic. These can include biographies of Barack Obama, documentaries about his life and presidency, and articles about the impact of his policies. The teacher can also recommend websites or databases where students can find reliable information about Obama and his presidency. (1 minute)

• Relevance to Everyday Life (1 - 2 minutes):

  • Finally, the teacher underscores the importance of understanding Barack Obama's life and presidency for everyday life. The teacher explains how Obama's presidency symbolized a significant milestone in American history, breaking racial barriers and fostering conversations about equality and social justice. The teacher can also highlight how Obama's policies, such as the Affordable Care Act, continue to impact American society today. (1 - 2 minutes)

This conclusion stage serves to reinforce the key points of the lesson, connect the theoretical material with practical applications, and highlight the relevance of the topic to everyday life. It also provides students with additional resources for further learning, encouraging them to explore the topic in more depth and from different perspectives.