Presidential Decision Debate

This persuasive writing worksheet supports students in Grades 5, 6, and 7 as they analyze major presidential decisions and evaluate their historical impact. By examining the Emancipation Proclamation, the New Deal, or the Civil Rights Act of 1964, learners practice critical reading, historical reasoning, and argumentative writing as they develop balanced arguments and defend a final opinion using evidence and logic.

Learning Goals

• Argumentative and Persuasive Writing (Grades 5-7) – Guides students in writing clear arguments that present claims, counterarguments, and conclusions.
• Historical Decision Analysis – Helps learners understand the context, purpose, and consequences of major presidential actions.
• Reasoning and Evidence Use – Encourages students to support opinions with facts, examples, and historical reasoning.
• Critical Evaluation of Leadership – Promotes thoughtful consideration of how presidential decisions affect society over time.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with upper-elementary and middle school ELA and social studies standards.
• Balanced Debate Structure – Requires students to consider both positive and negative perspectives before forming an opinion.
• Choice-Based Engagement – Allows learners to select one of three significant historical decisions, increasing motivation and ownership.
• Flexible Use – Suitable for writing workshops, class debates, assessment, or homeschool instruction.

This printable worksheet helps students move beyond simple facts to evaluate leadership decisions and their lasting impact. By combining historical understanding with persuasive writing and critical thinking, learners build strong reasoning and communication skills. Whether used in a classroom or homeschool setting, this activity provides meaningful practice in argument development, evidence-based writing, and thoughtful analysis of U.S. history.

This worksheet is part of our Presidents Day collection.