Website Wednesday--The American Presidency

The American President
http://www.americanpresident.org
Explore the Presidency in History and the Presidency in Action.  Lots of information here.  (Grades 6-12)
American Presidency: A Glorious Burden
http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/index.html
Learn about the foundations of the presidency, life and death in the White House, presidential campaigns, and much more.  (Grades 4-12)
White House for Kids
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/
Presenting the view of the Executive Branch for elementary students, this site offers a thematic look at the White House. (Grades K-5)
Women in the White House
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=334
Don’t forget the key women behind the men.  This lesson plan asks students to research one First Lady, engage in several activities and consider how, when a woman is finally elected as American President, the First Gentleman might fulfill his duties.  (Grades 6-8)
Starting a Government from Scratch
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=455
In considering the vast tasks facing a new country in defining its government, students will begin to understand the roles and duties of leadership, using primary sources to analyze the data that helped shape our country. (Grades 6-8)
Inauguration Ceremonies
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/inauguration/history.html
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/inauguration/quiz.html
Inaugural ceremonies for our Presidents have featured famous American poets, including Robert Frost for President JFK, and Maya Angelou, speaking for President Clinton’s inauguration. You can access the texts of their poems at this site, as well as learn about other events that trumpeted in other American Presidents.  After completing the reading, use the 2nd URL to take either a novice or expert version of the online quiz. (Grades 4-12)
Dear Presidential Diary
What would it be like to be president for a day?  Students will write a diary entry for their own lives, and then visit different sites to get a glimpse at a day in the life for an American President.  (Grades 3-12)
http://www.pbs.org/democracy/kids/educators/presdiary.html
The American Presidency
http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/
Presents the history of presidents, the presidency, politics, presidential biographies, and historical election results.  Resources are categorized for varied grade levels.
President’s Day Activities
With historical background for the teacher, this site offers several activities for early elementary students to learn about our Presidents.  Printable coloring pages and a word search are also available.  (Grades K-3)
Abraham Lincoln
http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/lincoln/index.html
Contains an online quiz, a treasure hunt, and a unit outline with activity and art suggestions to explore the life and times of President Lincoln.  (Grades K-2)

Webquests

George Washington: An Internet Treasure Hunt
http://iteslj.org/th/1/ss-washington.html
Take a tour of George Washington’s home life.  Students will visit the various rooms in Mount Vernon, read the text, and then answer a set of comprehension questions with this online exercise.  (Grades 2-5)
Do You Want to Be President?
http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/shorgeshimer/webpage/preswebquest.html
This webquest demonstrates to students – through their own creative thinking and reasoning – just what kinds of traits might make presidential material, as well as how well the candidate must also be able to play the political game.  (Grades 4-12)
The World’s Hardest Job
http://www.union.k12.ia.us/ukhs/WebQuest/pres.htm
In order to create a new Mt. Rushmore, students will have to decide first what makes a great president, and then choose from all past candidates to rank the qualifiers for a new mountain sculpture.  (Grades 4-12)
Presidential Campaigning: Past and Present
http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/hschool/webq/webq67/
Take two candidates from previous elections and design a platform for them that would work in the present day.  (Grades 9-12)
 

Media/Technology Staff Development
MSD Perry Township