Dwight D. Eisenhower: Readers Digest Foundation Education Center

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Five Star Leaders*

What is Five Star Leaders?

Five Star Leaders is an experiential-learning leadership program which challenges students in grades 8-12, college students, and adults to work together to solve a problem, confront a crisis, or accomplish a mission. Armed with original documents and knowledge of history and leadership, students take on the same challenges as those experienced by historical figures.

Teachers and students complete four classroom modules to prepare for a half-day experience at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas. On site, students assume the roles of historical characters while immersed in an historic event. What they experience mirrors, as closely as possible, the authentic experience of the original history makers. At the conclusion of a challenging and exciting day, students depart with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the requirements of democratic leadership and decision making.

What are the classroom modules?

Module 1 —Students explore the concept of leadership. They learn about theories of leadership and come to realize that effective leadership is a complex, yet essential, endeavor in a democratic society.

Module 2 —Students apply what they have learned about leadership by identifying and evaluating examples in documents that address leaders and leadership situations.

Module 3 —Students acquire the historical background and context for one of three pivotal historic events. In addition, they become acquainted with the historic characters they will portray and that character’s role in the overall operation.

Module 4 —Working in teams, students read and analyze documents as they prepare for the half-day onsite module at the Eisenhower Library.

What will students experience at the Eisenhower Library?

Module 5 —Students come to the library to recreate the sequence of events associated with one of three historic scenarios. As they progress through the module, students put into practice what they have learned about leadership, decision making, and history while completing their mission.

What happens after the onsite experience?

Module 6 —Returning to the classroom, students will reflect on all they have learned about democratic leadership and decision making and how they might apply the principles of Five Star Leadership to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

I would like to read more about Five Star Leaders.

For more information about Five Star Leaders contact the Education Office at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum at 877-RING IKE or by email at kim.barbieri@nara.gov.