Lesson Plan: A Man of the People

Lesson Plan

Before Exploring

Have the students consider the popular people are, in their school. Ask them to list the qualities these people seem to have and what impact these qualities have on their ability to influence those around them.

Outline the Opportunity

Ask students to listen to the clips "Diefenbaker for the defence" and "The Canadian Bill of Rights" on the topic John Diefenbaker: Dief the Chief on the CBC Digital Archives website. Ask students to identify what caused people to think of Diefenbaker as "one of them."

Revisit and Reflect

Follow by asking students to compare the qualities identified in Mr. Diefenbaker to those previously identified in respect to their school peers. Ask them to write an explanation of what the qualities are that draw people to a leader.

Extension

Students can select one trait or quality of a popular leader that they also see in themselves. Ask them to write a story about a time when that trait helped them in their interactions with another person. The story can be true or fictitious.