American Presidents Teacher Guide The Life of President Calvin Coolidge September 27, 1999 on C-SPAN Recommended Use: Intermediate to High School

Before Viewing American Presidents

Instruct each student to list the members of their family. Next to each name, describe the individual's personality, with two or three outstanding traits. For at least one family member, students should jot down an anecdote that helps to illustrate the person's outstanding personality traits.

Have students begin to explore the way each of their family members' personalities impact the overall dynamic in the family. How do the various personalities complement one another? What is a personality conflict? Explain.

While Viewing American Presidents
Directions: Complete the following with information from American Presidents. For each person, describe and illustrate with anecdotes his or her personality and relationship with the president.

1. President
a. Name and biographical information:

b. Personality traits: Anecdotes:

2. Wife
a. Name and biographical information:

b. Personality traits: Anecdotes:

c. Describe relationship with the president: Anecdotes:

3. Father
a. Name and biographical information:

b. Personality traits: Anecdotes:

c. Describe relationship with the president: Anecdotes:

4. Son
a. Name and biographical information:

b. Personality traits: Anecdotes:

c. Describe relationship with the president: Anecdotes:

After Viewing American Presidents
How did Calvin Coolidge's personality complement that of his wife? His father? His sons? Explore the president's personality through his relationships with his closest relatives.

What impact did the personality of the president have on his administration? What was the public opinion of the Coolidges? How did the personality of this president lead to his election? How did it impact the presidency in general?

Have students write a radio address, in the voice of the president, discussing one of the following two topics:

• family relationships;
• personality and the presidency.