Lesson 4 Grade 5

1. Biography of Senator Ted Kennedy Lesson 4 Grade 5

2. Introduction • We all the know about the Kennedy Family of US and their contribution to the history of America. • The name JFK is recognized as one of America’s most popular presidents, who was assassinated. • This is the story about his youngest brother, Edward, more popularly known as Ted, and who died very recently due to brain cancer. • The story is set in a chronological way, which will help you to understand the events in his life, and when they occurred.

3. Biography of Senator Ted Kennedy 1. Senator Ted Kennedy (born Edward Moore Kennedy) passed away at the age of 77 on August 25, 2009, in Boston Massachusetts after a prolonged battle with brain cancer that began in 2008. The senator was the last of the famed Kennedy family trio of political brothers which included Robert F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy. 2. Born on February 22, 1932, Sen. Kennedy led a life of exemplary service which was at times dotted with controversy. His life, despite any errors, makes for a great story we should all be familiar with. 3

4. Biography of Senator Ted Kennedy 3. From the Dorchester section of Boston, young Ted grew up - the youngest of a family consisting of nine children, most notable of course were Eunice, Robert, and JFK. 4. His father Joseph was a known bootlegger in the prohibition era who used his wealth to not only become one of the most powerful men in New England, but to vault his children to levels of success he himself could not attain.

5. Biography of Senator Ted Kennedy 5. Ted hardly had the easiest childhood having attended ten different schools before reaching the age of eleven, and dwelling in the shadows of the legends of his more successful older brothers. With all of that said, he also enjoyed many things other normal children did not such as receiving his first communion from His Holiness Pope Pius XII. For young Ted growing up was a mix of the good and bad. 6. Tragedy dotted his childhood as he lost his brother Joseph P. Kennedy in World War II, saw Rosemary succumb to a failed lobotomy, and Kathleen die in a plane crash. 5

6. Biography of Senator Ted Kennedy 7. All of that (and perhaps more) did not stop Ted from gaining entrance to Harvard University where he excelled as an athlete playing both offensive and defensive end on the football team. 8. Ted was worried about his athletic eligibility as it was tied to academic performance and requested that a friend take his Spanish exam for him which he was unprepared for. The pair was caught and Ted was expelled for a violation of the Honor Code, with the stipulation that he may re-enter in two years if he conducted himself in a manner consistent with the values of the university. 6

7. Biography of Senator Ted Kennedy 9. Ted took this to heart and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951. He served two years in Paris primarily on the Honor Guard and avoided any deployment to the Pacific Theater during the Korean war, a move some feel was made possible due to his father’s political connections. 10.After two years of service he was discharged honorably as a Private First Class (PFC) and returned to Harvard to finish his studies in 1953. In 1956 he graduated from Harvard with a B.A. in history and government, as well as with the added qualification of an excellent player that grew around him on the football field. He then moved on to attend the University of Virginia Law School, and later to the Hague Academy of International Law. 7

8. Biography of Senator Ted Kennedy 11.In 1962 he took the Senate seat vacated by his brother John. He was not quite yet the political powerhouse he was known as later in his career, but rather someone seen more as riding the wave of success created by his brothers. While a member of the Senate, he saw both John and Robert assassinated. 12. Many expected he would run for president as they had, but he never rose to that challenge early in life for reasons which may never truly be known. Many believe it was due to the Chappaquiddick incident in which his date died in a manner which all are too familiar with. This scandal alone may have been enough to end the political careers of most, but the young senator kept moving forward. 8

9. Biography of Senator Ted Kennedy 13. Many do forget however that in 1980 he did make a run for the Democratic Party presidential nomination but lost to Jimmy Carter. At that point he seemed to make the decision to focus all of his energy towards a career in the Senate. 14. Senator Kennedy had quite a career becoming the third most tenured U.S. Senator in history. He earned a reputation as one of the most powerful men in politics with a reputation as one of the great deal makers on the floor. He was one of the most influential politicians we have seen when it comes to the modern era of legislation encompassing labor and civil rights, education, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and health care, an issue the current president was counting heavily on the late senator to help make a newly reformed reality. 9

10. Biography of Senator Ted Kennedy 15. Senator Kennedy will long be remembered as one of the great speakers in this era of government with a knack to sway people to forego partisan political lines. He was bestowed with an honorary Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II, the order of Merit from Chile, the Order of the Aztec Eagle from Mexico, and most significantly perhaps the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom. 16. He is survived by his wife Victoria, and children Patrick, Edward Jr., and Kara. With the loss of Senator Kennedy, whether he was agreed with in most cases or not, the loss is not limited to his family, but to all citizens of the U.S., and so many more around the world that reaped the benefits of the banner of better life for all he championed tirelessly. 10

11. Check Your Understanding • Senator is a title of respect accorded to a person who is or has been a member of the Senate. The Senate is the legislative body of the upper assembly. A Senator represents his or her state for a six-year term. A Senator has the privilege of voting. 1. All the three brothers of the Kennedy family were Senators. The elder sister of the Kennedy family who died recently, also played an important role in politics. Can you name the four siblings? KENNEDY

12. Check Your Understanding 2. Match the meanings of the following terms. noteworthy; worthy of note exemplary a breach of rule; breaking a law controversy a good example; worthy of imitation notable a prolonged debate; disagreement violation

13. Check Your Understanding 3. His life was dotted with controversy. a. Name the controversy in which a companion died in a car accident and caused a political setback. ……………………………………………………………………….. b. Describe the controversy for which he was expelled for a violation of the Honor Code. …………………………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………... ………………………………………………………………………. 13

14. Check Your Understanding Select the correct years in Ted Kennedy’s life as noted below. 4. Year of birth: a. 1932 b. 1935 c. 1937 5. Year of death: a. 2008 b. 2007 c. 2009 14

15. Check Your Understanding Select the correct year of Ted Kennedy’s career in the army. 6. Year of enlistment in US army: a. 1948 b. 1951 c. 1950 7. He served for: a. 5 years b. 3 years c. 2 years

16. Check Your Understanding 8. He graduated from: a. Boston b. Oxford c. Harvard 9. In his student days, he: a. was expelled due to unfair practice b. was a meritorious student and won scholarships c. he set an example of hard work to others

17. Check Your Understanding 10. Complete the events in your own words to show you understand. Ted was the youngest in a family of …….children. His childhood was…………. ..……………………………… …………………………… ……………………………… He enjoyed playing …………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………… ……………………………… ........................................... ……………………………… ........................................... 17

18. Check Your Understanding 11. In 1962 he took the Senate seat vacated by his brother John. He was not quite yet the political powerhouse he was known as later in his career, but rather someone seen more as riding the wave of success created by his brothers. not quite yet the political powerhouse means: a. in his house there was no electric power b. he was not politically powerful c. he was uninterested in politics 18

19. Check Your Understanding 12. In 1962 he took the Senate seat vacated by his brother John. He was not quite yet the political powerhouse he was known as later in his career, but rather someone seen more as riding the wave of success created by his brothers. riding the wave of success created by his brothers. The sentence closest in meaning to the above statement is: a. surfing the waves just as his brothers did b. not really contributing much, but just enjoying to his advantage the goodwill his brothers had created c. working very hard to finish the work his brothers had started 19

20. Check Your Understanding 13. In 1980 Ted made a run for the Democratic Party presidential nomination but lost to: a. George Bush b. Bill Clinton c. Jimmy Carter 14. He was bestowed with an honorary knighthood by: a. Queen Elizabeth II b. Prince Phillip c. Queen Victoria 20

21. Check Your Understanding He was one of the most influential politicians we have seen when it comes to the modern era of legislation encompassing labor and civil rights, education, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and health care, an issue the current president was counting heavily on the late senator to help make a newly reformed reality. 15. The current president of America is ……………………….. 16. The first president of America was………………………………… 17. Name the president who was known as “Honest Abe” and never told a lie. ……………………………………………………………………….. 21

22. Check Your Understanding 18. Many controversies dotted Kennedy’s life; as a result he: a. gave up all hope b. emerged stronger and more determined c. spent his life in isolation 19. In his lifetime, Ted: a. received recognition from heads of different countries b. was punished by heads of states c. attacked other countries 22

23. Check Your Understanding 20. Ted Kennedy’s younger days were: a. full of unhappy and tragic events b. full of happy memories c. typically luxurious lifestyle like a rich kid 21. In football and athletics, Ted was: a. a failure b. not interested c. excellent 23

24. Check Your Understanding 22. The most memorable feature of his childhood was: a. playing football b. going out on vacations c. receiving communion from His Holiness Pope Pius XII 23. Select 2 characteristics of Ted Kennedy. a. He was an excellent speaker b. He was a liar c. He was an influential politician d. He had no powers as a politician 24

25. Check Your Understanding 24. Who is your ideal and favourite political leader? Of which country is she/he the head? What are the good things he/she has done for his/her country? ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… 25

26. Check Your Understanding 25. As a Senator, Ted Kennedy did a lot of good things for his state. If you were a Senator in your state, what good things would you like to do? (you could have some ideas on policies for children, old people, health matters, education, housing, sports, etc.). ………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………..

27. Summary • In this lesson you have learned about Senator Ted Kennedy who died recently. The Kennedy family was very popular. • You have learned about important events and put them in their chronological order. • Your knowledge of the history of America has received a boost.

28. Great job today!