Happy Presidents' Day!! The more that I learn about our U.S. presidents, the more I appreciate this day. Although Presidents' Day typically focuses on George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, we have had a number of fascinating men running the United States: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Garfield, Theodore Roosevelt, Kennedy, the list goes on and on. I am grateful to them, and their willingness to take on the incredibly difficult job of running this country. Have you noticed that every single president has left office with a head full of gray hair? I don't think that a single person entering into this position has a clue about what they are getting into and how hard it will be to try and hold the country together.
With this being an election year, I think now is an especially good time to discuss the office of the presidency, how a president is elected, and what they must do once they are in office.
Tonight, as I type this, my husband and children are sitting in the next room watching Abraham and Mary Lincoln, A House Divided: American Experience on PBS and learning about Lincoln's life. Though it is way past their bedtime, we're letting them enjoy the moment, knowing that tomorrow we will be remembering him and other US presidents.
Anyway, in honor of all the men who have so bravely led this country, here are some excellent resources for learning more about them and the office that they've held.
LESSON PLANS
• Scholastic has a good lesson plan titled, If I Were President, that covers a wide range of activities.
• Teaching Resource Cneter has a some great activities and lesson plans on George Washington. They also have an article dedicated to a Code to Teach the Oath of Office.
• lovetoknow home school also has some good lesson plans.
• I really love this math/social studies activity where students graph/map which state has produced the most presidents.
• I think older children will really enjoy these lesson plans from Lesson Planet.
• Mr Donn's American History page on American Presidents has lots of great lesson plans, games and activities, too.
• Mr G's World of Social Studies has a page dedicated to the presidents of the US with some fun trivia, and other data.
• ClassroomHelp also has information on topics like who died in office, who had a nickname, presidential salaries, and vice presidents who became presidents.
• Here is a printable story in Spanish on Presidents' Day from edhelper.com.
ACTIVITY SHEETS & COLORING PAGES
• Enchanted Learning has some great printables for Presidents' Day. These include worksheets and short books for beginning readers.
• FreeKidsColoring.com has a nice sized coloring page of the President's Seal and several for both Lincoln and Washington.
• Crayola.com has a great coloring page for George Washington and others for Presidents' Day.
CRAFTS
• First, I have added so many cute Presidents' Day crafts to the MommyMaestra Pinterest board, Presidents' Day, so be sure to check that out.
• Kaboose has some super cute crafts, such as this Craft Stick White House and this Powdered Wig.
VIDEOS & PHOTOS
• National Geographic Kids has a great collection of U.S. Monument photos including Mount Rushmore, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and more.
• If I Were the First Latina/o President - super cute video of Latino children's description of what they would do if they were the first Latino president.
• Love this video on how a president is elected.
• Schoolhouse Rock/America Rock - Presidential Minute video.
BOOKS
• Who Was George Washington? by True Kelley and Roberta Edwards
• Who Was Abraham Lincoln? by Janet B. Pascal
• Presidents' Day by Anne Rockwell
• If I Were President by Catherine Stier
• If I Ran For President by Catherine Stier
• Little Hands Celebrate America!: Learning about the U.S.A. Through Crafts & Activities by Jill Frankel Hauser
BILINUGAL BOOKS
• Yo también puedo ser presidente (Spanish Edition) by Yanitzia Canetti
• El Día de los presidentes by Mir Tamim Ansary
• Otto se presenta para presidente: (Spanish language edition of Otto Runs for President) (Spanish Edition) by Rosemary Wells
• Día del presidente (Presidents Day) by Rebecca Rissman