This President's Day, explore Barack Obama's historic presidency from 2009-2017. This guide uses clips from the documentary "The 44th President: In His Own Words" (History Channel, 2017) for analysis and reflection.
Full Documentary: Watch on YouTube (appropriate for high school students)
How to Use This Guide: Select a grade level below to view age-appropriate content. After viewing clips or reading summaries, use the discussion questions for classroom conversation or written assignments.
Upper Elementary: Learning from President Obama's Leadership
His Political Origin Story (1:13-3:25)
About this clip: President Obama's political origin story includes his 2004 Democratic National Convention speech as a key moment. He described his background and the unlikelihood of someone with his background being on that stage.
Critical Thinking:
What does it mean when someone's story is "unlikely"?
Obama said he wanted to talk about "my story as part of the larger American story." What do you think he meant by that?
Why do you think Obama talked about his father and grandfather in his speech?
Personal Reflection:
Have you ever felt nervous before doing something important? What helped you feel better?
Obama's family came from Kenya and his story was "unlikely." What makes your family's story special or unique?
Michelle Obama joked with her husband right before his big moment to help him relax. How do people in your life help you when you're nervous?
The Economic Strategy (13:40-18:20)
About this clip: When Obama became president, the country faced an economic crisis. He worked to pass a stimulus plan to help create jobs and stabilize the economy.
Critical Thinking:
Obama had enough votes to pass his plan without Republican help. Why do you think he tried to get their support anyway?
The Republicans said they opposed the plan before they had seen all the details. Do you think that was fair? Why or why not?
Obama said "Elections have consequences, and I won." What do you think he meant by that?
Why might it be important for a president to have support from both parties?
Analysis:
Obama told his team "Your job is to worry about what the right thing to do is. Let me worry about the politics." What does that tell you about how Obama thought about his job?
The narrator says this moment "set the tone for his entire presidency." What do you think that means?
Personal Reflection:
Can you think of a time when it's important to do what you think is right even if others disagree?
How do you feel when people disagree with you? How do you handle disagreement?
Do you think Obama should have kept trying to compromise with Republicans, or was he right to move forward with his plan? Explain your thinking.
Advice to His Younger Self (1:19:33-1:20:21)
About this clip: President Obama reflects on what advice he would give himself at the beginning of his presidency.
Critical Thinking:
What does it mean to "trust your gut"?
Obama says to "project confidence that we're gonna get through it." Why would it be important for a president to show confidence even when things are hard?
Personal Reflection:
Obama learned that being president was tougher than people knew. Have you ever tried something that was harder than it looked?
Obama Family in the White House (37:30-43:26)
About this clip: This segment shows how President Obama balanced his responsibilities as president with being a husband and father.
Critical Thinking:
Why might it be hard for a president to balance work and family?
What does Obama mean when he calls Michelle his "rock"?
Obama says Michelle "never allowed me to feel sorry for myself." Why might that be important for a president?
Analysis:
Obama said being with his kids helped him "remember the simple pleasures" of daily life. What does that mean?
Personal Reflection:
Obama credits Michelle for reminding him to be a good dad. Who helps you remember what's important?
Middle School: Analyzing Leadership and Decision-Making
His Political Origin Story (1:13-3:25)
Context: This clip shows Obama's 2004 Democratic National Convention speech, a pivotal moment that launched his national political career.
Analysis:
What makes a speech powerful or memorable?
Why do political leaders often share personal stories about their families?
Obama immediately calls his presence "pretty unlikely." Why do you think he starts with that statement? What effect does it have?
Obama knew immediately what he wanted to say when asked to give a speech at the event. What does this tell you about Obama as a communicator?
Compare Obama's grandfather being "a cook, a domestic servant to the British" with Obama becoming president. What does this say about change over time?
Reflection:
How would you describe "the American story"? What stories or values do you think define America?
Have you ever had a moment where you knew exactly what you wanted to say about something important to you?
The Economic Strategy (13:40-18:20)
Context: This clip examines Obama's attempt at bipartisan cooperation on the economic stimulus package during the 2008 financial crisis.
Critical Thinking:
What does it mean to "compromise" or "work together" with people who disagree with you?
Why do you think it's important for political parties to cooperate?
Obama said "Elections have consequences and I won." What do you think he meant by that?
The Republicans opposed the plan before they'd even seen all the details. Why might they have done that?
Analysis:
Obama told his team, "Let me worry about the politics." What does that tell you about how he thought about leadership?
Obama wanted bipartisan support (both parties working together), but he had enough votes to pass the bill without Republicans. Should he have tried harder to compromise, or was he right to move forward with his plan?
The narrator says this moment "set the tone for his entire presidency." What does that mean?
Is it more important for a president to have bipartisan support or to act quickly in a crisis?
Personal Reflection:
Obama had to work with people who sometimes disagreed with him. How do you work with people who think differently than you?
If you were president and faced a crisis, would you do what you think is right even if the other party opposed you? Or would you keep trying to compromise?
Advice to His Younger Self (1:19:33-1:20:21)
Context: President Obama reflects on what advice he'd give himself at the start of his presidency, knowing what he learned through experience.
Analysis:
What does he mean when he says the first years would be "tougher than the American people appreciate"?
He tells his younger self to "trust your gut and make the best decisions you can given the information that you have." What does this reveal about decision-making under pressure?
Obama says to "project confidence" even when things are tough. Is there a difference between being confident and projecting confidence? Why might that matter?
What does "we're gonna get through it" suggest about Obama's mindset during difficult times?
If Obama could go back, he doesn't say he'd change anything—just that he'd reassure himself. Why do you think that is?
Do you think this is good advice for anyone facing a hard challenge, or is it specific to being president?
Personal Reflection:
Think about a pivotal moment in your life, perhaps dealing with a transition, or trying something that felt scary. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself in that moment?
What does it take to stay confident when facing a really hard challenge?
Obama says things were tougher than people appreciated. Have you ever gone through something difficult that others didn't fully understand?
Obama Family in the White House (37:30-43:26)
Context: This segment explores how President Obama balanced his responsibilities as president with being a husband and father.
Analysis:
Obama says Michelle reminded him that "who you are as a dad, as a husband, as a person, that is not contingent on any day-to-day successes." What does this mean?
How do you think being president affects family life?
Obama says having family perspective "eased the burden" of the presidency. How can personal relationships affect professional performance?
Obama credits Michelle for his daughters "turning out great." What does this reveal about his view of parenting and partnership?
Reflection:
Obama had to leave important meetings to make it to dinner. When should personal commitments take priority over work commitments?
His daughters kept him grounded in "normal" life. Who or what keeps you grounded when you're stressed?