Ronald Reagan
Actor, Politician, World Leader
Teacher’s Guide
Adria F. Klein
)06.9(7/@:,90,:
Published in the United States of America
by the Hameray Publishing Group, Inc.
Copyright © 2014 Hameray Publishing Group, Inc.
Publisher: Raymond Yuen
Assistant Editor: Tara Rodriquez
Designer: Stephani Sturtz
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.
Reproduction of any part of this book through photocopy, recording, or any
electronic or mechanical retrieval system without the written permission of the
publisher is an infringement of the copyright law.
ISBN 978-1-62817-354-3
Printed in the United States of America
1 2 3 4 5 6 HP 19 18 17 16 15 14
Overview
• Forty-page informational text.
• Genre: informational text—biography.
• T
ext features: table of contents, chapters, glossary, timeline, index, “Learn More” section with
additional resources; supported by color and black-and-white photos, map, text boxes, and
quotations.
• A
ligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for the Language Arts (Reading, Writing,
Speaking and Listening, and Language Strands).
• Also valuable for cross-curricular integration with social studies and history.
• Student interest level: grades 3–6.
• Reading level: grade 4, guided reading level Q.
• C
ontent summary: Ronald Reagan, the fortieth president of the United States, presided over the
end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union. The oldest person ever elected to the office of
President, he was also one of the most popular. But before that, he had a long and distinguished
career in radio, television, and movies, serving as the head of the prestigious Screen Actors Guild.
Read his inspiring story, from a poor childhood in Illinois to the most powerful office in the world.
• A
ppeal for students: Ronald Reagan’s life, and how he used his ability to communicate to change life
for himself and others, will inspire readers.
• Related areas: social studies, history, language arts, and the arts.
Suggestions for Using the Text in the Classroom
Biography Series Teacher’s Guide: Ronald Reagan
3
Suggestions for Using the Text in the Classroom
1. Decide on the key learning goals for using this text with your
students. Here are some suggestions:
Reading Goals
• A key reading goal for CCSS would be to assist students to “read closely to determine what the text
says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it.”1
Other reading goals could focus on one of these things:
• The text’s key ideas and details (e.g., the character of Reagan, or the nature of the world during
the Cold War and the people he interacted with in politics).2
• The text’s craft and structure (e.g., vocabulary related to politics of the era or language usage).3
• The text’s integration of knowledge and ideas (e.g., information conveyed by the photographs or
the text box quotations).4
• The use of digital media in the “Learn More” section to develop research skills.5
Writing Goals:
• Using the text as a springboard for student writing (e.g., opinion pieces about Ronald Reagan’s
decisions throughout his life or his very determined goal setting; and the keeping of a Reader’s
Response Notebook to record questions and responses to the text).6
• Using the text as part of a study to learn about how to present information about people using a
range of forms, including biography, autobiography, memoir, anecdote, interview, documentary, and
dramatization, as well as using pictorial and audio-visual media as aspects of twenty-first century
literacies.7
Speaking and Listening Goals:
• Discussing the text and sharing and reflecting on ideas presented.8
Social Studies Goals:
• Focus on time continuity and change to explore historical issues from Ronald Reagan’s era, for
example, the Cold War, communication, negotiation, and people who make a difference.
• Focus on individual development and identity, for example, personal motivation, goal setting, and life
plans.
• Focus on individuals, groups, and institutions, for example, personal rights and beliefs versus
responsibilities as a world leader, illustrated by Reagan’s skills.9
______________________________________________________
1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
2
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
3
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and L 4.4
4
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.5 and 4.7
5
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.5
6
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1 and W 4.10
7
CCSS.ELA-Literacy S&L 4.1
8
CCSS.ELA-Literacy S&L.4.1 and 4.4
9
http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/strands “National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies”: Chapter 2—The Themes of Social Studies; ELA-Literacy S&L 4.1
Biography Series Teacher’s Guide: Ronald Reagan
4
2. Decide on the best organization and approach to meet these learning
goals. Choices might include the following:
• Whole-class instruction and discussion
• Small-group instruction and discussion
• Independent free-choice reading and study
• Close reading to complete research projects
• Close reading to assist with other curriculum areas such as social studies or science.
3. Introduce the book
• Use discussion to make a connection with the students’ own experiences and with reading from
other texts on the subject.10
• Examine the book cover and title carefully.
• Look at the cover photograph of Ronald Reagan. What can you learn about him from the
photograph? What are your first impressions? As you read, consider whether your impressions are
confirmed or have changed.11
• Have the students quickly skim through the book, relating the skimming with the table of contents.12
4. Read the text. Here are some suggestions for discussion and
reflection:
Chapter 1: Looking Ahead
• Discuss how the writer introduces us to Ronald Reagan and draws the reader into wanting to know
more about the life of this extraordinary man.13
• Cross-textual connections: have the students go to www.reaganlibrary.com for more information
about Ronald Reagan to support their reading of the text.14
• If students are keeping a Reader’s Response Notebook, have them record their own thoughts and
responses as they read through this and subsequent chapters.15
Chapter 2: Family Roots
• Ronald’s family was poor and moved a lot. Discuss how family life in his early years may have
impacted his thinking when he was older.16
• Talk about the evidence in this chapter that leads you to believe that the Reagan family was closeknit when Ronald Reagan was growing up.17
Chapter 3: Athlete and Actor
• Talk about why athletics and acting in high school supported Reagan as he made the move to leave
Illinois.18
• Using evidence from the text, discuss the character traits he already possessed in high school that
would help him be successful in his future career choices.19
______________________________________________________
10
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
11
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.5
12
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.5
13
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.2
14
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.5
15
CCSS.ELA-Literacy W 4.1, 4.3 and 4.10
16
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.3
17
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.2
18
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
Biography Series Teacher’s Guide: Ronald Reagan
5
Chapter 4: Moving On and Moving Up
• Discuss the jobs that Reagan had after college and how those jobs helped him realize his dream of
becoming an actor.20
• Talk about some of the roles Reagan had in the movies and why, in your opinion, they were such a
perfect fit for him.21
Chapter 5: From Movie Actor to Soldier to TV Host
• Consider Reagan’s decision to become president of the Screen Actors Guild. Discuss how this role
influenced Reagan’s move into politics. Give examples from the text to support your thinking.22
• Talk about why you think Ronald Reagan was so successful as a movie and television actor.23
Chapter 6: Husband and Father
• Discuss why you think Reagan also wanted so much to be a husband and father when he was so
ambitious about his career. How does this relate to his having a close-knit family as discussed in
Chapter Two?24
• Talk about the nicknames Ronald and Nancy had for each other and why you think these special
names showed the importance of family life to Reagan.25
Chapter 7: Governor Reagan
• Discuss why Reagan changed political parties from Democrat to Republican. Find evidence in the
text to support your thinking.26
• Using new evidence from the text in this later chapter, again consider the character traits that helped
Reagan launch his political career.27
• Reagan had strong ideas about government and how it should work. Discuss how his work
as governor of California might have influenced the policies he would follow when he became
president.28
Chapter 8: President Reagan
• Talk about Reagan’s ability to win the vote for president in forty-four of the fifty states. Discuss
evidence you have found in the text about why you think so many people believed in how he wanted
to lead government in a new direction.29
• Discuss the Cold War and what it meant. How did Reagan’s attitude and policies toward Russian
leadership helped to end the long-standing conflict?30
Chapter 9: Ronald Reagan, Senior Statesman
• Discuss the skills and traits Reagan possessed that enabled him to accomplish so much in his
lifetime. Support your thinking with evidence from the text.31
• Talk about why Reagan was given another nickname, “The Great Communicator,” toward the end of
his life. How does this nickname reflect who he was as a man and a leader?32
______________________________________________________
19
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
20
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
21
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
22
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.2
23
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
24
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.2 and 4.3
25
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.2
26
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3
27
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 3.1
28
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.2 and 4.3
29
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
30
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.2 and 4.3
31
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
32
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1
Biography Series Teacher’s Guide: Ronald Reagan
6
5. After the Reading: Analysis, Reflections, and Responses
• Use the timeline to help you review Reagan’s life. Discuss and reflect on his experiences. What do
you think are the most important parts of his legacy as described here? What can we all learn from
him? Give evidence from the text for your reasons.33
• Use the “Learn More” section to find out more about Reagan’s life. In particular, look at and talk
about Reagan’s part in ending the Cold War with Russia. Use evidence from the text and further
research to gather information about the Cold War and its end. Share these with the class and use
this as an opportunity to reflect on the reading and the text.34
• Based on evidence from the text, write a short piece on why you think Reagan was called “The
Great Communicator.”35
• If students are keeping a Reader’s Response Notebook, facilitate a discussion session (in small
groups or a whole-class forum) where students can share a selection of their oral and written
thoughts on the book and Ronald Reagan’s life.36
______________________________________________________
33
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1 and 4.5
34
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.5
35
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.10
36
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RI 4.1, S&L 4.1 and W 4.10
Biography Series Teacher’s Guide: Ronald Reagan
7
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