Presidents’ Day Activities

Looking for Lincoln Throughout His Life

Intended Grade Level: 1-3

Overview: In this interdisciplinary lesson, students will gather different facts about Lincoln through a variety of hands-on activities. In the Introductory Activity, students will match vocabulary words with pictures to piece together a timeline of Abraham Lincoln’s life. In the Learning Activities, students will gather various facts about the life of Lincoln. Students will learn about Abraham Lincoln’s work as a lawyer on the prairie and also gain insight into Lincoln through objects and artifacts of his life. Students will then select classroom objects that best tell a story about them and/or their class. In the Culminating Activity, students will reflect upon the life of Lincoln, revisit the timeline of Lincoln’s life and create their own personal timelines.

Learning Objectives:

• Create and interpret their own timelines • Place events in chronological order • Describe at least 5 facts about Abraham Lincoln • Critically observe and describe objects • Describe different ways to learn about the past • Match words to corresponding images • Define key vocabulary terms

60-Second Presidents

Intended Grade Level: 4-12

Overview: Explore the rich history and the institution of the U.S. Presidency—from George Washington to Barack Obama. Understand the duties and powers of the President of the United States and the First Lady, gather important background information with our Presidential biographies, and engage with videos and primary sources that place you back in time at some of the most pivotal turning points in American history.

Video Support:

Each video includes pop ups and music and other engaging animation to allow students to quickly learn about each president. In addition, the resource includes presidential portraits, biographies and other activities, including learning the role political parties play in either helping or preventing a president from reaching their goals.

George Washington: Centerpiece of a Nation

Intended Grade Level: Upper Elementary School (4-6)

Overview: Students will discuss the leadership characteristics that made George Washington a good choice for president and determine whether these characteristics are still important. Students will use primary images to create new seals for the states and choose a “centerpiece” for a display that epitomizes our nation today.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will discuss the characteristics that make a good leader and the post-Revolution atmosphere that influenced the choice of George Washington as leader. • Students will analyze two primary images and record analysis on a worksheet. • Students will conduct research on the states using a variety of resources. • Students will examine the values and principles of today’s society and determine how those affect national decisions today.