Andrew Jackson
Information About This Unit
Description of Learning Unit:
Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States. His presidency was tumultuous, spanning two terms and encompassing events such as the fracture of a major political party, challenges to Congress over presidential veto power and the country's banking system, and the infamous Trail of Tears. In this unit, you will learn about Andrew Jackson's early years and presidency, create your own inaugural punch as a tasty treat, make a puppet of Andrew Jackson and interview him about his life and choices. In addition, you will design a choropleth map detailing the birthplaces of the presidents, and watch a short biographical video. This unit is designed to last one week, depending on how often you teach history. 
List of Objectives:
- Learn about Andrew Jackson's life.
- Read about the decisions he made as president and their effect on the country.
- Discover what the duties of the President of the United States are.
- Become familiar with the term inauguration.
- Understand the cultural attitudes that led to Western expansion and the Trail of Tears.
List of Materials and Supplies Needed for This Pathway:
- Empty cardboard paper towel or toilet paper tube
- Modeling clay
- Newspaper or mess mat
- Tempura paint
- Paint brushes
- Yarn
- Fabric
- Glue
- Scissors
- 4 cups chilled orange juice
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1 cup chilled sparkling water
- 1 quart orange sherbet
- Large pitcher
- Spoon
- Ice cream scoop
- Punch bowl
- Friends or family to enjoy it with
- Wall map of the United States (recommended but not required)
- Blank Xpeditions outline map (Note: You will need Adobe Reader to open the PDF file.)
- Colored pencils
- Paper
- A pencil
Worksheets/Printables:
- A printer and basic printing supplies
- A pencil, colored pencils, etc.
Links to Free Learning Material
Links to Online Lessons:
| The Life and Times of Andrew Jackson | (no rating) |
Read this biography of Andrew Jackson, the president found on the $20 bill.
| Presidential Birth Site | (no rating) |
Explore this page to learn about the state in which Andrew Jackson was born.
| Andrew Jackson's Inauguration | (no rating) |
Read this account of Andrew Jackson's inauguration.
| Andrew Jackson's Presidency | (no rating) |
Read this account of Andrew Jackson's presidency and the major decisions he made from the White House.
Reference Websites
| The Hermitage | (no rating) |
Take a virtual tour of The Hermitage, the mansion and cotton plantation in Nashville that was Andrew Jackson's home for most of his adult life.
| Facts About President Jackson | (no rating) |
Learn some quirky facts about the seventh President of the United States.
| Mural of Jackson's First Inauguration | (no rating) |
Look at a mural of Andrew Jackson's inauguration, the first inauguration to take place at the Capitol Building.
| Jackson's First Inaugural Address | (no rating) |
Read the text of Andrew Jackson's first inaugural address on March 4, 1829.
| Jackson's Second Inaugural Address | (no rating) |
Read the text of Andrew Jackson's second inaugural address on March 4, 1833.
| What Does a President Do, Anyway? | (no rating) |
Read about the duties of the President of the United States.
| Letter of Protest: Cherokee People to Andrew Jackson | (no rating) |
Read the text of a letter sent by Chief John Ross to the government of the United States in protest of the treaty that led to the Trail of Tears.
Hands-On Projects and Activities:
| Presidential Puppet | (no rating) |
Create a puppet of President Andrew Jackson and then interview him.
| Inaugural Orange Punch | (no rating) |
Measure, pour, and stir to create a fun, kid-safe version of the Inaugural Orange Punch that waiters served to citizens who overran the White House after Jackson's inauguration, hoping to get a chance to meet the new president and shake his hand.
| Choropleth Map Project | (no rating) |
Map the birthplaces of the presidents of the United States in this activity.
| Trail of Tears Poem | (no rating) |
Read a poem describing the Trail of Tears from the Cherokee point of view, and then create your own poem about this historic event.
Learning Tools (worksheets, drills, printables, online games, tests, etc.):
| Word Search | (no rating) |
Play this interactive word search game against the clock, using vocabulary words associated with Andrew Jackson.
| Andrew Jackson Coloring Page | (no rating) |
Color in this portrait of Andrew Jackson.
| Quiz on Andrew Jackson | (no rating) |
Test yourself on your knowledge of Andrew Jackson's life and major presidential decisions using this online quiz.
| Portrait Worksheet | (no rating) |
Print this worksheet and use it to analyze the mural of Jackson's first inauguration.
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Free Online Video:
| Four-Minute Biography of Andrew Jackson | (no rating) |
Watch a short biography of Andrew Jackson reflecting on his life and decisions, as presented by several historians.
| An Encounter with Old Hickory | (no rating) |
Watch this longer but amusing video interviewing "Old Hickory" (Andrew Jackson) himself.
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Free Online Audio:
| What Have They Done | (no rating) |
Listen to a song in English and Cherokee by Chief Rogers, his wife Kamama, and Prophecy Rogers, sung by Amy Hymel Brownlow, about what has been done to the earth and her people.
Free E-Books (and classics available in most libraries):Supplemental Materials
List of any helpful books, games, toys, kits, lapbooks, curriculum, etc., that may be purchased to enhance the learning experience:
Andrew Jackson Kids Books Peruse a thematic book list on the life and presidency of Andrew Jackson. Each detail book page contains ISBN numbers and book reviews.
Presidents Lapbook Check out some ideas on creating a presidential lapbook or a layer book specifically about Andrew Jackson.