aidemia--modules-lessonplan_request	Titles of parts of the lesson must be formatted as headings
What to create	Lesson plan
Which subject	History
What topic	1981-1989 President Ronald Reagan
What length (min)	30
What age group	Year or Grade 7
Include homework
Include images descriptions
Any other preferences	Activity of DOK 3

Lesson Plan: President Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)

Grade Level: 7

Duration: 30 Minutes

---

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand the major policies and events during Ronald Reagan's presidency.
2. Analyze the impact of Reagan's leadership on both national and international fronts.
3. Discuss key events such as the Cold War, economic policies, and social changes during the 1980s.

---

Materials Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector and screen
• Handouts with timeline events of Reagan's presidency
• Access to excerpts from Reagan's speeches (audio/video)
• Worksheets for group activity

---

Introduction (5 Minutes)

1. Engagement: Begin with a discussion question: "What do you know about the 1980s in America? What were some key events or leaders of that time?"

2. Transition: Introduce President Ronald Reagan as a pivotal figure in U.S. history during the 1980s. Briefly outline the lesson's objectives.

---

Direct Instruction (10 Minutes)

1. Overview of Reagan's Presidency:

   • Elected Era: Discuss Reagan's election in 1980 and his reelection in 1984.
   • Key Policies: Explain "Reaganomics," tax cuts, deregulation, and welfare reform.
   • Cold War Dynamics: Discuss his approach to the Soviet Union, the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), and the eventual end of the Cold War.

2. Social Issues:

   • Discuss domestic policies related to civil rights, social welfare, and the AIDS crisis.
   • Highlight significant events like the Iran-Contra affair.

3. Historical Context:

   • Present a timeline of significant events from 1981-1989, emphasizing milestones during Reagan's presidency.

---

Guided Practice (5 Minutes)

1. Group Discussion: Divide students into small groups and assign each group one of the following topics:

   • Economic policies and their impact on American citizens.
   • Reagan and the Cold War: The "Evil Empire" speech and SDI.
   • Social movements and issues during the 1980s.

2. Each group will discuss their topic for 5 minutes and prepare to share their insights with the class.

---

Independent Activity (DOK Level 3) (8 Minutes)

1. Critical Thinking Exercise:

   • Ask students to write a short paragraph responding to the following prompt:
     • "How do you think Ronald Reagan's policies affected the lives of ordinary Americans during the 1980s?"
   • Encourage them to consider different perspectives and provide specific examples from the lesson.

2. Sharing: Invite a few students to share their responses with the class. This will promote discussion about varied interpretations and perspectives.

---

Conclusion (2 Minutes)

1. Recap Key Points: Summarize the main ideas from the lesson, emphasizing Reagan's influence on America during the 1980s.

2. Exit Ticket: Have students write down one question they still have about Reagan's presidency or one fact they found most interesting. This will help guide future lessons and address any areas of confusion.

---

Assessment

• Participation: Evaluate student engagement during discussions.
• Written Responses: Review the paragraphs for understanding and critical thinking.
• Exit Tickets: Use questions to assess understanding and identify areas needing further exploration.

---

Additional Resources

• Books: "Ronald Reagan: The Triumph of Imagination" by James Mann
• Websites: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
• Videos: Selected clips of Reagan's speeches and debates

---

This lesson plan encourages students to think critically about an important period in American history and promotes discussion and engagement with historical material.