Contextualization

Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. He was born as Leslie Lynch King Jr. on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska, but his parents separated when he was young, and his mother remarried to Gerald R. Ford, who legally adopted him. This is why he is known under the name Gerald Ford.

Ford's presidency was a crucial time in American history. He took over the presidency after Richard Nixon's resignation following the Watergate scandal, which had left the country deeply divided and disillusioned with their leaders. Ford's presidency was marked by his efforts to heal the nation and restore trust in the government. He granted a controversial pardon to Nixon, which was widely criticized but was seen by Ford as a necessary step to move the country forward.

Ford's presidency also faced significant challenges in foreign policy, including the end of the Vietnam War and the fall of Saigon. Domestically, he grappled with an economic recession and rising inflation. Despite these challenges, Ford was known for his integrity and his commitment to public service. He is often remembered as a president who tried to do what he believed was right, even if it was unpopular.

Gerald Ford's presidency had a lasting impact on the United States. His efforts to heal the nation and restore trust in the government were crucial in rebuilding the country's confidence after the Watergate scandal. He also made important contributions to foreign policy, including normalizing relations with China and signing the Helsinki Accords, which aimed to improve relations between the communist bloc and the West.

Resources

To delve deeper into the life and presidency of Gerald Ford, you can use the following resources:

1. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library - This online library provides a wealth of information about Ford's presidency, including his policy decisions and key events.
2. Biography.com: Gerald Ford - This biography offers a comprehensive overview of Ford's life, from his childhood to his presidency.
3. The American Presidency Project: Gerald Ford - This resource includes Ford's speeches, statements, and other public documents during his time in office.
4. The Miller Center: Gerald Ford - This center offers an in-depth analysis of Ford's presidency, including his domestic and foreign policies.
5. Gerald R. Ford: A Life in Brief - This video series by C-SPAN provides a brief but comprehensive overview of Ford's life and presidency.

Remember, the goal of this project is not just to understand the facts about Gerald Ford but also to analyze his presidency, his policies, and his impact on the United States. Pay attention to the decisions he made and the reasons behind them. Reflect on how his presidency was shaped by the events of the time, and how it in turn shaped the future of the nation.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "The Presidency of Gerald Ford: A Time of Healing and Change"

Objective of the Project:

This project aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the presidency of Gerald Ford and the historical context surrounding his time in office. It will encourage students to analyze Ford's policy decisions, his approach to leadership, and his impact on the United States. The project also aims to foster teamwork, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving skills among students.

Detailed Description of the Project:

In this project, student groups will be tasked to create a "Gerald Ford Museum Exhibit" that reflects on his presidency. The exhibit should include a detailed timeline of Ford's life and presidency, key policy decisions, important events, and their impact on the nation. It should also include interactive elements, such as quizzes or games, to engage visitors and test their knowledge about Ford's presidency.

Necessary Materials:

• Poster boards or digital tools for creating the exhibit.
• Art supplies for aesthetics (colored pens, markers, etc.)
• Access to the internet and library resources for research.
• Camera or smartphone for documentation purposes.
• Optional: Craft materials for creating interactive elements (e.g., cardboards, paint, etc.)

Detailed Step-by-step for Carrying out the Activity:

1. Group Formation and Research (2 hours): Form groups of 3 to 5 students. Each group should research Gerald Ford's life and presidency using the provided resources and any additional reliable sources they may find. Encourage students to take notes and discuss their findings within their group.

2. Planning the Exhibit (1 hour): Each group should plan their exhibit. They should decide on the format (digital or physical), the layout, the content, and the interactive elements of the exhibit. The exhibit should be designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Ford's presidency.

3. Creating the Exhibit (4 hours): Students should start creating their exhibit based on their plan. This includes making the timeline, writing the content, designing the interactive elements, and preparing any necessary visuals or props.

4. Review and Rehearsal (1 hour): After completing the exhibit, each group should review their work, make any necessary revisions, and rehearse their presentation.

5. Exhibit Presentation and Documentation (1 hour): Each group will present their exhibit to the class. The presentation should include a guided tour of the exhibit, explaining each component and its significance. The presentation should also highlight the group's process, challenges faced, and lessons learned. The teacher should document the presentations for later evaluation.

6. Reflection and Report Writing (2 hours): After the presentations, each group should reflect on their project experience. They should discuss the following points and use them to write their report:

   • Introduction: Why was Gerald Ford's presidency significant? What were the main objectives of the project?

   • Development: Detail the research conducted, the planning and creation of the exhibit, and the presentation of the project. Discuss the methodology used in each stage and explain the theory behind the practical work. Present and discuss the findings (both about Ford's presidency and about the project process) in a clear and organized manner.

   • Conclusion: Revisit the main points of the project, explicitly stating the learnings obtained and the conclusions drawn about Ford's presidency and the project process. Reflect on how this project helped in understanding the presidency of Gerald Ford and the skills developed during the project.

   • Bibliography: Indicate the sources relied on for the project.

Project Deliverables and Connection with Grading Criteria:

The main deliverable of the project will be the "Gerald Ford Museum Exhibit" created by each group. This will be assessed based on its accuracy, thoroughness, creativity, and effectiveness in communicating the information about Ford's presidency.

The project report is another crucial deliverable. It will be assessed based on its content (the factual accuracy and depth of understanding of Ford's presidency, the reflection on the project process, and the conclusions drawn) and its presentation (the clarity of writing, the organization, and the proper use of citations and references).

Through this project, students will demonstrate their ability to:

• Understand and analyze historical events and their impact.
• Work effectively as a team, dividing tasks, solving problems, and managing time.
• Think critically and creatively, developing engaging and informative exhibit elements.
• Communicate effectively, both in the written report and in the presentation of the exhibit.
• Manage a project from start to finish, including research, planning, execution, and evaluation.