Virginia SOL USII.4.a
The Standard
explaining the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt including, but not limited to conservation contributions, progressivism, the building of the Panama Canal, and his role in the Spanish-American War
Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students connect Theodore Roosevelt’s actions to their effects on the nation and his public reputation. They explain his work in conservation, reform, overseas expansion, and war.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students describe specific actions, such as protecting federal land, regulating large businesses, supporting the Panama Canal, and leading the Rough Riders. They explain how each action shaped his legacy.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Roosevelt was president during the Spanish-American War, but William McKinley was president. They may also think Roosevelt personally built the canal or created every national park.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Choose conservation, reform, the Panama Canal, or the Spanish-American War. Name Roosevelt’s action and explain one lasting effect in two sentences.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Sort action and impact cards into four folders: conservation, reform, Panama Canal, and Spanish-American War, then defend each match.
Write: Which Roosevelt action left the strongest legacy, and what two facts support your choice?
Play four corners using event cards, with students moving to conservation, reform, canal, or war and explaining their choice.
Compare Panama Canal and South America shipping routes on a map, then identify how the canal changed trade and travel.
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Related Standards
- USII.4.e
explaining how the war was a catalyst for the United States gaining international power and expanding its sphere of international influence; and
- USI.8.b
describing the causes, course of events, and effects of the War of 1812, the role of Andrew Jackson, and the development of the Monroe Doctrine
- USI.8.a
describing how territorial expansion affected the political map of the United States, including, but not limited to the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark ...
- USII.4.b
explaining the reasons for and results of the Spanish-American War, including the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
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