The learner will:

• contrast the ideas behind the laissez-faire attitude of big business at the turn of the century and the concerns of environmentalists today.
  
  
• explain Roosevelt's view of the role of individual citizens in dealing with economic and environmental concerns. They will agree or disagree with Roosevelt's view.

Anticipatory Set:


Questions for class:

Who can list the changes in the way our town looks now compared to when you were in Kindergarten? (Make a list of the responses on the board.)



Overall, has there been a negative or positive economic impact on our community because of these changes? How?



Overall, has there been a negative or positive environmental impact on our community because of these changes? How?



Which is more important to you personally? Why?

• Give each student a copy of the reading listed above. In-groups of three with one reader, one recorder and one to paraphrase, have students read the essay excerpts aloud and identify three reasons Roosevelt gave for his position.
  
  
• Which people in society were likely to oppose Roosevelt's ideas? Why?
  
  
• Students then are to list arguments for and against Roosevelt's statement: "Public rights come first…private interests second" and give an example from history and the current day to illustrate each side.
  
  
• During Theodore Roosevelt's administration, the areas preserved and activities for conservation included: LI>4 national game preserves
  
  
• 51 federal bird reservations
  
  
• 150 national forests
  
  
• 5 national parks
  
  
• 18 national monuments
  
  
• 24 reclamation projects
  
  
• 7 conservation conferences and commissions How did Roosevelt's personal experiences influence his attitudes and perceptions of the world around him? Compare Roosevelt's ideas on stewardship of the environment with that of Native Americans. Would he be a leader you could identify with today? Why or why not?

Visit a list of Theodore Roosevelt's conservation sites at <http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/life/conservation.htm>. Select a few of the sites and/or the organizations that take care of them (U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Parks Service). What kind of training or education is required for jobs in these organizations? What volunteer opportunities are also available?