Daniel Rangel

Teacher Name
Thomas Jefferson’s Legacy in the 21st Century
& Lesson Plan Title:

TEKS:
§113.20.(b)(1)(a)(c).
§113.20.(b)(5)(a).
• Identify events in a given time period in history
• Explain the significance of an important historical figure in U.S History
Learning Objectives: • Describe successes and hardships in domestic and foreign affairs of a president in
the early history of the United States.

Did Thomas Jefferson believe in equality of outcome or equality of opportunity?

Essential Question(s):
Should he still be considered a hero as a result and if so why or why not?

Constitution and Letter excerpts(photos),

“Monticello.” Thomas Jefferson: Liberty & Slavery, www.monticello.org/slavery-at-
monticello/liberty-slavery.
Resources/Materials:
“Jefferson's Attitudes Toward Slavery.” Monticello, www.monticello.org/thomas-
jefferson/jefferson-slavery/jefferson-s-attitudes-toward-slavery/.

Time: 10
As a class read “Thomas Jefferson: Liberty & Slavery” and minutes
“Jeffersons attitude toward slavery”

Divide the class into two groups and give one group the excerpt Time:5
from the constitution and the other group the excerpt from one of minutes.
Jefferson’s letters and have them read it aloud.

Procedure:
As a group summarize what is being said in the given quote and Time: 10
then describe the groups interpretation of what Jefferson meant. minutes.

Present as a group your findings and then let the other group do
the same. Revisit the essential question and determine as a class Time: 15
what it was Jefferson believed and why in an open class discussion. minutes
At this point students can give their opinion on why Jefferson
should or should not still be viewed as a hero today.
 Back at your individual seat and in your own words write 1-2
paragraphs explaining what you think Jefferson believed and why.
Assessment: Explain why you think he is or isn’t a hero. And finally write one Time:
sentence answering a simple question: does this change how you
view Thomas Jefferson?