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  Handout + MP3 + 8 Online Quizzes on William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving between 1909 and 1913. He was also the tenth Chief Justice of the United States and the only person to have served in both offices. He was born in 1857, the son of a distinguished judge. He graduated from Yale and practiced law in Cincinnati. He quickly rose in politics via judiciary appointments made by the Republicans.

Taft was appointed a federal circuit judge at 34. From 1901 to 1903, he served as the first civilian Governor-General of the Philippines. While in this opposition he turned down the offer of a seat on the Supreme Court. In 1904, President Roosevelt appointed Taft as Secretary of War, which meant he could remain involved in the Philippines. He also dealt with a revolt in Cuba in 1906.

In 1908, the Republican Convention nominated him as their presidential candidate. He won the first election of his career by a comfortable margin. As President, he initiated 80 anti-trust suits; amendments for a federal income tax; the direct election of senators; and a postal savings system. He also pursued "Dollar Diplomacy" in the less-developed nations of Latin America and Asia.

Despite Taft’s hard work, he alienated many in his party. He defended an act which continued high tariffs; a trade agreement with Canada failed, and his team was accused of failing to carry out Roosevelt's conservation policies. He lost the next election and became Chief Justice of the USA. He was so happy with this post that just before he died in 1930, he wrote: "I don't remember that I ever was President."

Article adapted from www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/williamhowardtaft

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving between 1909 and 1913. He was also the tenth Chief Justice of the United States and the only person _________________________ both offices. He was born in 1857, the son of _________________________. He graduated from Yale and practiced law in Cincinnati. He quickly rose in politics via _________________________ made by the Republicans.

Taft was appointed a federal circuit judge at 34. From 1901 to 1903, he served as the first civilian Governor-General of the Philippines. While in this opposition he _________________________ of a seat on the Supreme Court. In 1904, President Roosevelt appointed Taft as Secretary of War, which meant he _________________________ in the Philippines. He also _________________________ in Cuba in 1906.

In 1908, the Republican Convention _________________________ presidential candidate. He won the first election of his career _________________________. As President, he initiated 80 anti-trust suits; amendments for a federal income tax; the direct election of senators; and a postal savings system. He also pursued "Dollar Diplomacy" in the _________________________ of Latin America and Asia.

Despite Taft’s hard work, he _________________________ party. He defended an act which continued high tariffs; a trade agreement with Canada failed, and his team _________________________ to carry out Roosevelt's conservation policies. He lost the next election and became Chief Justice of the USA. He was _________________________ that just before he died in 1930, he wrote: "I don't remember that I ever was President."

  CORRECT THE SPELLING

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving between 1909 and 1913. He was also the tenth Chief Justice of the United States and the only person to have dvsree in both offices. He was born in 1857, the son of a distinguished judge. He aurgdtdae from Yale and practiced law in Cincinnati. He cqluiky rose in politics via judiciary appointments made by the Republicans.

Taft was appointed a Federal circuit ujdge at 34. From 1901 to 1903, he served as the first nvcilaii Governor-General of the Philippines. While in this opposition he turned down the offer of a seat on the Supreme Court. In 1904, President Roosevelt appointed Taft as Secretary of War, which meant he could remain involved in the Philippines. He also dealt with a eovltr in Cuba in 1906.

In 1908, the Republican Convention maenodnit him as their presidential candidate. He won the first election of his recrae by a comfortable margin. As President, he initiated 80 anti-trust suits; amendments for a federal income tax; the direct election of senators; and a postal savings system. He also pursued "Dollar Diplomacy" in the less-deplveedo nations of Latin America and Asia.

Despite Taft’s hard work, he alienated many in his party. He defended an act which continued high rftasif; a trade agreement with Canada failed, and his team was accused of flgnaii to carry out Roosevelt's conservation oipelsic. He lost the next election and became Chief Justice of the USA. He was so happy with this post that just before he died in 1930, he wrote: "I don't remember that I ever was President."

  UNJUMBLE THE WORDS

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving between 1909 and 1913. ____________________ Chief Justice of the United States and the only ____________________ in both offices. He was born in 1857, the son of a distinguished judge. He graduated from Yale and practiced law in Cincinnati. He ____________________ via judiciary appointments made by the Republicans.

Taft was appointed a federal circuit judge at 34. From 1901 to 1903, he served ____________________ Governor-General of the Philippines. While in this opposition he turned down the offer of a seat on the Supreme Court. In 1904, President Roosevelt appointed Taft as Secretary of War, which mea____________________ nt he could remain involved in the Philippines. He also ____________________ Cuba in 1906.

In 1908, the Republican Convention ____________________ presidential candidate. He won the first election of his career ____________________. As President, he initiated 80 anti-trust suits; amendments for a federal income tax; the direct election of senators; and a postal savings system. He also pursued "Dollar Diplomacy" in _______________________ of Latin America and Asia.

Despite Taft’s hard work, ____________________ his party. He defended an act which continued high tariffs; a trade agreement with Canada failed, and his team was ____________________ carry out Roosevelt's conservation policies. He lost the next election and became Chief Justice of the USA. He was so happy ____________________ before he died in 1930, he wrote: "I don't remember that I ever was President."

  DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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  STUDENT WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about William Howard Taft in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

• Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
• Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

  WRITING

Write about William Howard Taft for 10 minutes. Show your partner your paper. Correct each other’s work.

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  HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET INFO: Search the Internet and find more information about William Howard Taft. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about William Howard Taft. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

4. WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT POSTER Make a poster about William Howard Taft. Show it to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your posters.

5. MY WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT LESSON: Make your own English lesson on William Howard Taft. Make sure there is a good mix of things to do. Find some good online activities. Teach the class / another group when you have finished.

6. ONLINE SHARING: Use your blog, wiki, Facebook page, MySpace page, Twitter stream, Del-icio-us / StumbleUpon account, or any other social media tool to get opinions on William Howard Taft. Share your findings with the class.