Use the Activities
Hard work, a good education, and an interest in civic duty are attributes that made the Taft family outstanding leaders over the years. The contributions made by these individuals continue to enrich our lives today. Their leadership skills were carefully cultivated through the example set by their parents and by the activities in which they chose to participate.
Activity 1: Leadership Characteristics
Next, have students write their governor, congress person, or senator and ask the same questions they developed for the local leader. Ask students to compare the responses and discuss the types of character traits and leadership skills they found in common among local and national leaders, and the Tafts.
Activity 2: Practicing Leadership Skills
Have students work in small groups to develop a list of activities they could undertake that would benefit their neighborhood (i.e., volunteer for a community action agency, help clean up an area, become a mentor to younger children, plant trees and shrubbery, etc.). Have them assess whether such experiences would be helpful for developing leadership skills. If possible, have the class undertake some of these projects.