Objectives:

• To create a list of the characteristics, qualifications, and skills that make an effective President of the United States
  
• To determine the characteristics, qualifications, and skills that George Washington had that made him the right choice for President of the United States
  
• To compare and contrast the changing needs for the job of President of the United States

Related standards in historical thinking:

• Chronological thinking: explain change and continuity over time
  
• Historical research capabilities: formulate historical questions; marshal needed knowledge of the time and place to construct an explanation
  
• Historical analysis and interpretation: formulate questions; compare and contrast differing sets of ideas, values, personalities, behaviors, and institutions

Materials:

• Chalkboard, chalk, and pencils
  
• “The Right Stuff: Characteristics of a President” student worksheet
  
• Student introductory reading material
  
• Additional biographical information about George Washington

Procedures:

1. Brainstorm with your students about the qualifications, characteristics, and skills of an effective President.
   
   
2. Ask the students to read the list on the worksheet, “The Right Stuff: Characteristics of a President.” Explain that the list includes many different characteristics, qualifications, and skills. In the left-hand column they should put a C for characteristic, a Q for qualification, or an S for skill, next to the qualities they consider important for any President of the United States to have. They may add other words they think are important.
   
   
3. Before continuing, students should read the introductory reading material, “About George Washington,” or other biographical material about him. Then, in the right-hand column of the worksheet, they should put a C for characteristic, a Q for qualification, or an S for skill next to the qualities they think made George Washington presidential material. They may add other words they think are important.
   
   
4. Compare the lists and ask the students the following questions:
   1. Which qualities did George Washington have that are considered important for any President?
      
   2. Did Washington have any characteristics, qualifications, or skills that a modern President does not need to have? If yes, which ones?
      
   3. What characteristics, qualifications, or skills did Washington not have that you think a modern President should have?
      
   4. Which characteristics, qualifications, or skills do you consider most important for a President to have? Why?
      
   5. Have the qualifications or skills for a President changed from George Washington’s presidency to today’s presidency? Discuss those changes.
      
   
   
5. Ask the students to choose one characteristic, qualification, or skill from the George Washington column. Through research, they should find examples of how George Washington possessed that characteristic, qualification, or skill. Ask them to present the information to the class.

Student Worksheet

The Right Stuff: Characteristics of a President

Read the list of characteristics/skills/qualifications in the center column. In the left-hand column, mark those items you think are important for a good President with a C, S, or Q. In the right-hand column, mark those qualities that you think George Washington had that made him qualified to be President with a C, S, or Q.