Dear Mr. President: John Quincy Adams: Letters from a Southern Planter's Son
Dear Mr. President Series
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
Each book in this series features fictional letters between a president and a child who lived during his administration. The twelve-year-old son of a cotton plantation owner pens a detailed account of one of John Quincy Adams' most difficult national problems--the removal of the Creek Indians from their tribal land in Georgia--in a fascinating book that contains photographs, maps, and timelines.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
121 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What feelings do you think John Quincy Adams experienced while writing these letters?
Why is it important to express our thoughts and feelings through writing?
How do you think communication has changed since John Quincy Adams' time?
What can we learn about American history from these letters?
If you could write a letter to a president, what would you say?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the historical context of the book. Ask them to consider how they would feel and react in similar circumstances. Discuss the importance of historical documents in understanding our past and how personal letters can provide a unique perspective on big events. Lastly, relate the themes of communication and expression in the book to modern times by discussing how we communicate differently today.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding historical perspectives
Explanation: The book offers insights into the early 19th-century American life through letters written by John Quincy Adams.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate different historical contexts and the changes over time, encouraging them to explore history beyond their textbooks.
Example Lesson: Importance of thoughtful communication
Explanation: Adams' articulate letters display the value of carefully considered and eloquent communication.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think about how they communicate their thoughts and to practice clarity and respect in their daily conversations.
Example Lesson: Awareness of social justice issues
Explanation: The content of the letters often touches on themes of justice and equality, reflecting the social issues of Adams' time.
Real-World Application: Children can draw parallels between past and present social issues, fostering a sense of empathy and the importance of fairness in their own interactions.