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Home , Huey Long, Jimmie Davis

SOCIAL STUDIES

GRADES 8- 9 CELEBRITIESCELEBRITIES ININ POLITICSPOLITICS DAVID FAERBER

TIME ALLOTMENT: Two 50-minute classes. STANDARDS: Social Studies Content Standards http://www.lcet.doe.state.la.us/doe/assessment/ OVERVIEW: standards/SOCIAL.pdf , Louisiana’s Singing Governor H-1A-M3: Analyzing the impact that specific was elected with the help of reform governor Sam individuals, ideas, events, and decisions Jones in 1944. His rise to power came on the heels had on the course of history; (1, 2, 3, 4) of the scandalous terms of Richard Leche and Earl H-1A-M4: Analyzing historical data using primary K. Long. Using his singing talents, Jimmie Davis’ and secondary sources; (1, 2, 3, 4) celebrity status helped elect him to our state’s H-1B-M18: Discussing significant developments highest office, not only in 1944, but also again in and issues in contemporary United States 1960. Students will look at the accomplishments history; (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of this famous Louisiana governor, as well as H-1D-M1: Describing the contributions of people, compare him to other celebrities who have made events, movements, and ideas that have their ways into politics. been significant in the ; SUBJECT MATTER: Social Studies H-1D-M6: Examining folklore and describing how cultural elements have shaped our state LEARNING OBJECTIVES: and local heritage (1, 3, 4) H-1A-H3: Interpreting and evaluating the historical Students will be able to: evidence presented in primary and • Students will list current celebrities who secondary sources; (1, 2, 3, 4) became politicians. H-1B-H17: Analyzing developments and issues • Students will look at past governors in contemporary American society; (Jimmie Davis and Jesse Ventura) who (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) turned celebrity status into success in the political success. • Students will look at ’s MEDIA COMPONENT: career in movies and politics and list his Video: accomplishments. Louisiana: A History, Episode 5, The Currents • Students will write an essay on the pros of Change. (Louisiana Public Broadcasting) and cons of celebrities in politics.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting • 7733 Perkins Rd • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.767.5660 • 800.272.8161 • www.lpb.org • [email protected] SOCIAL STUDIES

Web sites: A nice biography of Jimmie Davis http://www.goodbyemag.com/nov00/davis.html Basic information about Jimmie Davis http://www.who2.com/jimmiedavis.html Includes links to other informative sites. A more in-depth look at Jimmie Davis http://loper.org/~george/archives/2000/Nov/132.html Includes words to his famous song “.” Entertainers turned politicians, this website has links to information about six other entertainers who turned to politics. http://salc.wsu.edu/Fair_F01/FS12/Html/celebrities/celebrities.htm MATERIALS: Per Student: • Activity sheet (Focus on Video) • Butcher paper (chalk board or dry erase board can be used in its place) PREP FOR TEACHERS: 1. CUE video to Rouges and Reforms. Preview this segment, which will last about two and a half minutes. 2. Visit Web sites and preview the materials there for use in the classroom. Bookmark each Web site on each computer to be used.Visit Web sites and preview the materials there for use in the classroom. Bookmark each Web site on each computer to be used. 3. Prepare one copy for each student of the Focus on Video activity sheet and Celebrities in Politics activity sheet. 4. Have butcher paper and markers (or use chalk/dry erase board) to compile list of celebrities who students think should enter politics. 5. When using the video provide students with worksheet to answer as they watch the video. 6. Focus for Media Interaction: Provide students with a copy of the Focus for Media Interaction worksheet. INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY: (Setting the Stage:) Ask students to name current and past politicians who began careers as actors, singers, or other type of celebrity. While many may answer Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronald Reagan or Jesse Ventura, remind them that Louisiana elected a country singer, actor as governor in 1944. Jimmie Davis, known as the singing governor, won his first term as governor and was popular with the citizens of Louisiana as well as members of the media. In this lesson, students will examine the phenomenon people using their status as celebrities to enter the political arena. lEARNING ACTIVITY: Day One:

1. Introduce the idea that Louisiana was in a transition period after the assignation of . Discuss the idea of Huey Long’s disciples taking power in Louisiana state government. Point out that why Long was very popular, he had many enemies. 2. Inform students that they will be viewing a short segment of the video, Louisiana: A History. 3. Provide your students with a FOCUS FOR MEDIA INTERACTION by asking them: “What major event was going on in America during the ?” “Why was Louisiana receiving little help from President Roosevelt’s ?” “What might a country singer like Jimmie Davis offer the citizens of Louisiana?” Start the video beginning at Rogues and Reformers. Pause the video at the end of the segment.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting • 7733 Perkins Rd • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.767.5660 • 800.272.8161 • www.lpb.org • [email protected] SOCIAL STUDIES

4. Conduct a discussion of why voters might turn to a celebrity as a governor or other elected public official. Be sure to address the following topics; a) What advantages does a celebrity have when running for office? (name recognition) b) What disadvantages might a celebrity have? (no experience in government, not taken as a serious candidate) c) What qualifications might a celebrity posses that gives him/her an advantage in running for political office? (relationship with the media, public-speaking skills) d) Are these important skills for politicians? (for getting elected, yes, as an office holder these skills might be valuable) 5. Have students make a list of current or recent celebrities who have been elected to office. You may expand the list to include those who have or are considering running for office. You can find several prominent celebrity politicians at http://salc.wsu.edu/Fair_F01/FS12/Html/celebrities/celebrities.htm. 6. Direct students’ attention to these Web sites http://www.who2.com/jimmiedavis.html and http://loper.org/~george/archives/2000/Nov/132.html. Ask them to list possible reasons Jimmie Davis was elected governor of Louisiana. 7. Direct students to this Web site: http://salc.wsu.edu/Fair_F01/FS12/Html/celebrities/celebrities.htm. The site lists six well-known celebrities who have been elected to office. Have them click on links and read about the celebrities who entered politics. You can divide the class and have each look at one or two of the celebrities and report findings to the class. 8. Distribute activity sheet Celebrities in Politics. Have students write a short biography of each celebrity under their names, including the office to which they were elected and a brief explanation of what they hoped to accomplish in the political career.

Day Two: 1. Have students make a list of celebrities who they think would make good politicians. Ask them to list reasons why they would vote for each celebrity. 2. Using the butcher paper (chalk board) make a list of possible candidates for governor and or President of the United States from celebrities that they have chosen. Under each candidate, list qualifications and political philosophies of each candidate. 3. Have students discuss the pros and cons of having a celebrity elected to public office. CULMINATING ACTIVITIES: Divide the class into two groups. Have one group prepare a statement expressing the benefits of electing a celebrity to office. The other group should prepare a statement expressing concerns with electing a celebrity to office. After the presentations, have all students write an essay explains the pros and cons of having a celebrity becoming a public office holder. CROSS-CURRICULAR EXTENSIONS: LANGUAGE ARTS: • Write a letter to a chosen celebrity encouraging him/her to seek office. COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: • Write letters to the editor of the local newspaper voicing opinions of having celebrities as public office holders. STUDENT MATERIALS: See attached: Student Materials include: • Celebrities in Politics activity sheet. • Focus for viewing Video worksheet

Louisiana Public Broadcasting • 7733 Perkins Rd • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.767.5660 • 800.272.8161 • www.lpb.org • [email protected] SOCIAL STUDIES

Celebrities in Politics Jimmie Davis used his singing talents and celebrity status to win the governorship of Louisiana in 1944. What other celebrities have made their way into the political arena? Write a brief explanation as to why these celebrities turned politics; in the second column explain their agenda when they came into office?

Agenda?

Ronald Reagan

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Clint Eastwood

Bill Bradley

Jimmie Davis

Jesse Ventura

(other?)

Louisiana Public Broadcasting • 7733 Perkins Rd • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.767.5660 • 800.272.8161 • www.lpb.org • [email protected] SOCIAL STUDIES

Focus on the Video Louisiana: A History Episode 5, “The Currents of Change”

Answer these questions as you view the video.

1. Why did the effects of the seem to be less severe in Louisiana?

2. What federal government program sent money to Louisiana after Huey Long’s death to build roads and hospitals?

3. Why was governor Richard Leche in the national headlines?

4. What was Jimmie Davis’s main accomplishment of his first term as governor of Louisiana?

Louisiana Public Broadcasting • 7733 Perkins Rd • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.767.5660 • 800.272.8161 • www.lpb.org • [email protected] SOCIAL STUDIES

Louisiana Public Broadcasting • 7733 Perkins Rd • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.767.5660 • 800.272.8161 • www.lpb.org • [email protected]