Lesson Plan: Analyzing Historical Presidential Inaugural Addresses

This lesson provides multiple options and activities for students to engage with and analyze presidential inaugural addresses starting with Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration in 1981. Teachers can choose to have students focus on one or more historical inaugurations and analyze the speeches by looking at the historical challenges facing the nation, topics discussed in the speech, or rhetorical elements of the inaugural addresses. This lesson provides digital handouts and resources for students to use and access these videos. The entire lesson can be accessed here.