Presidents’ Day formally honors George Washington, but the holiday opens up the perfect opportunity to salute all of the men who have served our country. Dedicate a few lessons to the study of these great men.
Listed below are a few research and writing activities to inspire your students to think about the importance of individuals within our government. It is possible you may be inspiring a future political leader.
Research
- Presidential term limits and qualifications to be president.
Write an opinion piece on whether or not the qualifications should change. - Students choose an influential president to research and write a report about his contributions while in office.
- Study and research the Electoral College and its role within the election process.
Interview
Interview a family member or friend about the president he or she remembers the most and why. (Brainstorm a list of questions.)
Counting in Code Game
- Ask students to count money but list only the names of the presidents on the bills. For example: two George Washingtons, one Abraham Lincoln, and three Andrew Jacksons.
- $1 George Washington
- $2 Thomas Jefferson
- $5 Abraham Lincoln
- $10 Alexander Hamilton
- $20 Andrew Jackson
President Word Search
Download your free printable here. (From Seasonal Activities series)
Additional classroom activities for Presidents’ Day
- Writing activity: A conversation with Mr. Lincoln. Students imagine that they could talk to Abraham Lincoln, ask questions, and think about his answers. ($1.99, TeachersPayTeachers)
- Art project: Portraits of Lincoln and Washington. Each activity includes directions & patterns, a list of materials, & an illustration of the completed project. ($1.99, TeachersPayTeachers)
- Compare and contrast paragraph: The First and Sixteenth Presidents. This two-page writing activity provides a form on which students can write paragraphs comparing & contrasting the lives of George Washington & Abraham Lincoln. ($1.99, TeachersPayTeachers)
- History Pocket: Leaders of the Civil War. Information & activities about the leaders of the Civil War: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Ulysses S. Grant, and Robert E. Lee. ($2.99, TeachersPayTeachers)
Heather Foudy is a certified elementary teacher with over 7 years’ experience as an educator and volunteer in the classroom. She enjoys creating lessons that are meaningful and creative for students. She is currently working for Evan-Moor’s marketing and communications team and enjoys building learning opportunities that are both meaningful and creative for students and teachers alike.