A guide for using our resources

Children will compare facts about the lives of two presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Vocabulary: presidents, tricorn hat, stovepipe hat, patriotic

Social Studies Focus: Presidents’ Day

CCSS (and states that have similar standards): RI.1.1 ask and answer questions; RI.1.2 key details; RI.1.4 determine meaning of words; RI.1.10 read informational texts; RF.1.2 vowels; W.1.2 write informative texts; W.1.8 gather information; L.1.1 demonstrate standard English grammar when writing

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

• This book provides a simple explanation of Presidents’ Day as it follows one classroom’s presentation for the holiday. Students act like past presidents onstage at their school assembly. Along with the facts on presidents shared throughout the story, other basic information on some of our most well-known presidents is included in the back matter.

• After reading the issue, revisit each box and discuss what students learned about George and Abe.
• As you discuss the first box, pause and ask if any students have birthdays in February. How many are there? How many do not have a birthday in February? You can choose to write down responses as your class discussion continues.
• After recalling the president’s pets, ask students about pets at home. Write down the different kinds of pets that students have, or have students raise their hand to share that they have the same kind of pet as a classmate.
• Continue discussion for the last three boxes: What are students’ favorite hats or articles of clothing? What are students’ favorite desserts? What job do students want to have one day?

Skills: fine-motor, writing

Materials: If I Were President skill sheets, a dollar bill, a five-dollar bill, a penny, a quarter, pencils

• Students reflect on what they have learned about two presidents, and imagine what they would do if they were president.
• Have a class discussion on the facts students have learned in the issue. Tell students that one way we remember these presidents is by having their faces on our money. Show students the paper bills and coins and allow them to be passed around. You can also review the back page of this issue. Which president is featured on each bill and coin?
• Pass out the If I Were President skill sheet. Ask students to draw their own face on the money and imagine they are president.
• Read each prompt on the sheet. Ask students to record facts about the two presidents they learned about. Then allow time for students to imagine what they would do if they were president.