Students will pick a U.S. president from the provided list and write a concise two-sentence campaign-style pitch focused on one key achievement. This exit ticket assesses recall, concise writing, and ability to justify historical significance during a partner share.
George Washington — Established presidential precedent; led Revolutionary War
John Adams — Helped preserve independence and led diplomatic efforts
Thomas Jefferson — Louisiana Purchase; expanded U.S. territory
James Madison — "Father of the Constitution"; led during the War of 1812
James Monroe — Monroe Doctrine; shaped Western Hemisphere policy
Abraham Lincoln — Preserved the Union; Emancipation actions
Ulysses S. Grant — Led Union to victory; Reconstruction-era president
Theodore Roosevelt — Conservation and national parks; progressive reforms
Woodrow Wilson — Led during WWI; pushed for League of Nations
Franklin D. Roosevelt — New Deal programs; led during WWII
Harry S. Truman — Ended WWII with decision on nuclear weapons; Marshall Plan
Dwight D. Eisenhower — Interstate Highway System; Cold War leadership
John F. Kennedy — Space Race goals; inspired civic engagement
Lyndon B. Johnson — Civil Rights Act and Great Society programs
Richard Nixon — Opened relations with China; environmental laws
Ronald Reagan — Cold War rhetoric and economic policy changes
Bill Clinton — Economic growth and balanced budgets
George W. Bush — Response to 9/11 and national security policies
Which president is best known for the Louisiana Purchase?
Which two presidents are directly associated with major civil rights legislation or initiatives?
Name one immediate impact of the Louisiana Purchase.
The Monroe Doctrine was primarily a statement that European powers should not colonize or interfere in the affairs of nations in the Western Hemisphere.
Who is called the "Father of the Constitution"?
Two-minute pitch: Which president did you choose?
Write a two-sentence campaign-style pitch for the president you chose, focusing on one key achievement. Then, with your partner, take 60 seconds each to explain why this achievement mattered at the time and why it still matters today.