Activity Overview
While Reagan was praised for his actions, he also received much criticism for them as well. The economy did well under Reagan, but when he left office, the economy was in worse shape than when he entered. He was praised for his foreign policy but criticized for his heavy military spending.
Using a grid storyboard, students will discuss these and other issues, outlining the viewpoints of both Reagan's supporters and his opposition on his major executive decisions. They'll be able to assess both sides of the arguments and examine the legacy of Reagan's decisions.
Extended Activity
Have students analyze and explain the support and opposition towards another president. Some recommendations are George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, or Barack Obama. Students should analyze their major executive decisions as well as the support and criticisms they received.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard defining the viewpoints of Reagan's supporters and opponents.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify different issues Reagan addressed with his policies.
- In the first row, summarize the views of his supporters on different actions.
- In the second row, do the same for the opposition.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
While Reagan was praised for his actions, he also received much criticism for them as well. The economy did well under Reagan, but when he left office, the economy was in worse shape than when he entered. He was praised for his foreign policy but criticized for his heavy military spending.
Using a grid storyboard, students will discuss these and other issues, outlining the viewpoints of both Reagan's supporters and his opposition on his major executive decisions. They'll be able to assess both sides of the arguments and examine the legacy of Reagan's decisions.
Extended Activity
Have students analyze and explain the support and opposition towards another president. Some recommendations are George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, or Barack Obama. Students should analyze their major executive decisions as well as the support and criticisms they received.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard defining the viewpoints of Reagan's supporters and opponents.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify different issues Reagan addressed with his policies.
- In the first row, summarize the views of his supporters on different actions.
- In the second row, do the same for the opposition.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about The Legacy of Ronald Reagan: Proponents and Opponents Viewpoints
How to facilitate a balanced classroom debate on Ronald Reagan’s policies
Organize your students into two groups—supporters and opponents of Reagan’s major policies. This structure encourages every student to research and advocate for a position, building critical thinking and empathy.
Assign research roles for deeper understanding
Give each student or small group a specific policy or event from Reagan’s presidency to investigate. This ensures comprehensive coverage and helps students become experts on their assigned topic.
Set clear debate guidelines and expectations
Establish respectful debate rules and provide a rubric focusing on evidence, clarity, and respect. Clear expectations create a safe, productive environment for sharing diverse viewpoints.
Support claims with evidence from multiple sources
Require students to use primary and secondary sources to back up their arguments. This practice strengthens research skills and promotes academic honesty.
Debrief and reflect as a class after the debate
Lead a discussion on what students learned and how their views may have changed. Reflection helps solidify understanding and encourages open-mindedness.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Legacy of Ronald Reagan: Proponents and Opponents Viewpoints
What were the main arguments for and against Ronald Reagan's presidency?
Supporters of Ronald Reagan highlight his economic policies and strong foreign policy, while opponents criticize his heavy military spending and the economic condition at the end of his term. Both sides provide distinct views on the impact of his executive decisions.
How can students compare the viewpoints of Reagan’s supporters and opponents in a classroom activity?
Students can use a grid storyboard to organize and compare the perspectives of Reagan’s supporters and opponents on various policies. This visual approach helps outline key issues, summarize arguments, and encourage critical assessment of both sides.
What is a grid storyboard and how is it used to analyze historical leaders?
A grid storyboard is a chart with rows and columns where students list issues, then summarize viewpoints for each side. It helps visually compare and contrast the actions and legacies of leaders like Reagan by showing supporters’ and opponents’ perspectives side by side.
Why was Ronald Reagan’s economic legacy both praised and criticized?
Reagan’s economic policies were praised for stimulating growth during his presidency but criticized because the economy was weaker when he left office. This mixed legacy fuels ongoing debates about his long-term impact.
What are some extension activities for teaching about presidential legacies in high school?
Teachers can have students analyze another president, like George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, or Barack Obama, using the same storyboard method. This helps students compare support and opposition for different leaders’ major decisions.
More Storyboard That Activities
Presidency of Ronald Reagan
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