Andrew Jackson U.S. President | Historical Figure Readers Theater Script

This Andrew Jackson Historical Figure Readers Theater Script engages students in an interactive narrative instead of reading a dry history textbook. Abigail and Benjamin travel through time to see Andrew Jackson’s journey from a tough frontier childhood to becoming a national leader. While Jackson’s presidency empowers many regular voters and strengthens the executive branch, it leaves behind painful contradictions. His legacy is a mix of popular support, increased democracy for some, and tragic injustice for others.

Script Summary:

The two students witness his early struggles in the Carolina wilderness, his rise as a frontier lawyer defending ordinary settlers, and his heroic role in the War of 1812, notably the Battle of New Orleans. These moments build his reputation as a champion of the common man. As President, he changes the way Americans see the office: welcoming everyday citizens to his inauguration, standing firm during the Nullification Crisis to preserve the Union, and vetoing the Bank of the United States, which he views as favoring the wealthy. Yet he also signs the Indian Removal Act, causing terrible suffering for Native Americans. Throughout the script, figures like Martin Van Buren, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, and Nicholas Biddle represent different viewpoints.

This product includes a zip file consisting of:

1) Readers Theater Script

• ~16 Characters, 1700 words, PDF & Editable DOCX Formats (8 pages)
• Includes factual historical information, primary source quotes, and narrative storytelling
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts

2) Comprehensive Script Worksheet

• Includes Answer Key, Google Slides & PDF Formats (4 Pages | 17 Slides)
• 10 Vocabulary Words: Definitions based on the context of the script to build historical literacy
• 10 Short-Answer Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script, ensuring students can analyze the content without requiring additional research.
• Long-Format Writing Questions: Encourage deeper reflection and analysis, including one primary source exploration question.

3) Two Letters From Jackson

• Andrew Jackson to Martin Van Buren on the Nullification Crisis; January 13th, 1833.
• President Jackson's Veto Message Regarding the Bank of the United States; July 10, 1832
• Full Primary Source Text, PDF & DOCX Formats (13 pages)

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For digital classrooms, upload the DOCX Script and convert to Google docs
• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about ~25 minutes and depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.
• An extra ~25 minutes for prep, discussion, vocabulary or short answer comprehension questions should also be planned.

This resource is part of a bundle dedicated to the most notable 12 U.S. Presidents:

SAVE 50% and get the bundle here: U.S. Presidents Reader's Theater Scripts Bundle (12)