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https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/how-to-become-president/cause-and-effect
Lesson Plan Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Student Rubric
Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson Plan Overview
The president plays a major role in the U.S. government as leader of the country. The decisions a president makes affects the whole country and the people of the country.
Presidents should set an example for themselves. It is important the president demonstrates being a good role model and an effective leader. Some past presidents have made many good and bad decisions, which had different effects on the country.
For this activity, students will research a past president and understand that a President’s action and their consequences affect the country. The students will gather pertinent factual information through secondary sources and create a T Chart with two rows for one president.
Example
George Washington was responsible for the creation of the nation’s important institutions, including government finance, public credit, federal taxation, currency and banking. By doing this, the US developed a strong economy.
Students may orally present their storyboards to the class. Engage in a discussion on the actions of a president and ask how things might have changed history if that action had not been not taken. In the student’s point of view, did the president do the right thing?
Template and Class Instructions
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a T Chart that describes two decisions a past president made during their time in office as president.
Student Instructions:
- Read about a past president and identify two major decisions.
- Illustrate and describe the decisions on the left side.
- Illustrate and describe the effects of those decisions on the country on the right side.
Requirements:
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
The Causes and Effects a President has on the Country
Research a past president of the United States. Read about them and create a T Chart Storyboard that describes things they did during their time as President. The left side of the chart will show causes, why something happened. The right side of the chart will show effects on the country. These are direct results of something that happened. Requirements: Use pictures, writing, and, or speech bubbles in the story. Show cause, on left side of chart and effect on right side of chart. Use factual information. The T Chart is clean, neat and attractive.
| Proficient 25 Points | Developing 20 Points | Novice 15 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause | Causes are correct. Pictures and writing showed research knowledge. Chart showed all causes on the left side of the chart. | Most events on the left side of the chart are correctly identified as causes. All correct causes on the left side of the chart. | Few or no events on the left side of chart are correctly identified as causes. Few or no causes on the left side of the chart. |
| Effect | Effects identified correctly. Pictures and writing showed research knowledge. Effects shown on the right side of the chart. | Most events on the right side are correctly identified as effects. Chart showed all correct effects on the right side of the chart. | Few or no events on the right side correctly identified as effects. Few or no effects on the right side of the chart. |
| Images | Images clearly show the causes and effects. | Most images match the cause and effect events. | Most images do not represent the causes/effects or are missing. |
| Cause and Effect Relationship | All rows correctly show cause events having a direct effect on the effect events. | Most rows correctly show cause events having a direct effect on the effect events. | Few or no rows correctly show cause events having a direct effect on the effect events. |
Lesson Plan Overview
The president plays a major role in the U.S. government as leader of the country. The decisions a president makes affects the whole country and the people of the country.
Presidents should set an example for themselves. It is important the president demonstrates being a good role model and an effective leader. Some past presidents have made many good and bad decisions, which had different effects on the country.
For this activity, students will research a past president and understand that a President’s action and their consequences affect the country. The students will gather pertinent factual information through secondary sources and create a T Chart with two rows for one president.
Example
George Washington was responsible for the creation of the nation’s important institutions, including government finance, public credit, federal taxation, currency and banking. By doing this, the US developed a strong economy.
Students may orally present their storyboards to the class. Engage in a discussion on the actions of a president and ask how things might have changed history if that action had not been not taken. In the student’s point of view, did the president do the right thing?
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a T Chart that describes two decisions a past president made during their time in office as president.
Student Instructions:
- Read about a past president and identify two major decisions.
- Illustrate and describe the decisions on the left side.
- Illustrate and describe the effects of those decisions on the country on the right side.
Requirements:
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
The Causes and Effects a President has on the Country
Research a past president of the United States. Read about them and create a T Chart Storyboard that describes things they did during their time as President. The left side of the chart will show causes, why something happened. The right side of the chart will show effects on the country. These are direct results of something that happened. Requirements: Use pictures, writing, and, or speech bubbles in the story. Show cause, on left side of chart and effect on right side of chart. Use factual information. The T Chart is clean, neat and attractive.
| Proficient 25 Points | Developing 20 Points | Novice 15 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause | Causes are correct. Pictures and writing showed research knowledge. Chart showed all causes on the left side of the chart. | Most events on the left side of the chart are correctly identified as causes. All correct causes on the left side of the chart. | Few or no events on the left side of chart are correctly identified as causes. Few or no causes on the left side of the chart. |
| Effect | Effects identified correctly. Pictures and writing showed research knowledge. Effects shown on the right side of the chart. | Most events on the right side are correctly identified as effects. Chart showed all correct effects on the right side of the chart. | Few or no events on the right side correctly identified as effects. Few or no effects on the right side of the chart. |
| Images | Images clearly show the causes and effects. | Most images match the cause and effect events. | Most images do not represent the causes/effects or are missing. |
| Cause and Effect Relationship | All rows correctly show cause events having a direct effect on the effect events. | Most rows correctly show cause events having a direct effect on the effect events. | Few or no rows correctly show cause events having a direct effect on the effect events. |
How Tos about Cause and Effect of a President on the Country
1
Organize a Presidential Cause and Effect Timeline in Your Classroom
Create a timeline on your classroom wall or bulletin board for students to map out key presidential decisions and their outcomes. This visual helps students connect actions with consequences over time and deepens understanding of cause and effect in history.
2
Assign research roles for collaborative learning
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different president or a specific decision to investigate. Collaboration encourages deeper research and lets students learn from each other’s findings.
3
Guide students to use reliable secondary sources
Direct students to trustworthy websites, books, or databases for their research. Emphasize evaluating sources for accuracy and bias to build critical thinking skills.
4
Encourage creative presentation formats
Let students present their findings as posters, slideshows, or short skits. Creative formats boost engagement and help students express their understanding in diverse ways.
5
Facilitate a reflection discussion after presentations
Lead a class discussion where students reflect on how presidential decisions shaped the country. Encourage questions and connections to current events to foster critical analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cause and Effect of a President on the Country
What is the impact of a president's decisions on the country?
A president's decisions can shape laws, the economy, national security, and even the daily lives of citizens. Their choices may lead to positive or negative changes, affecting everything from government policies to how citizens view leadership.
How can students create a T Chart for a president's cause and effect actions?
To create a T Chart, students list two key decisions a president made on the left side and describe or illustrate the effects of each decision on the country on the right side. This helps visualize the link between actions and their consequences.
Why is it important for presidents to be good role models?
Presidents serve as national role models because their behavior and values set an example for citizens, especially young people. Demonstrating integrity and strong leadership encourages trust and respect in government.
What are some examples of major decisions made by past presidents?
Examples include George Washington establishing national institutions, Abraham Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, and Franklin D. Roosevelt launching the New Deal. Each decision had significant effects on the country's direction and well-being.
How do presidential actions change the course of history?
Presidential actions often set new policies or respond to crises, which can alter the nation's trajectory. These choices may lead to reforms, conflicts, economic shifts, or social change, influencing future generations.
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© 2026 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
