CORRESPONDING TEACHER'S TEXT


Why wait until February to learn about the history-making decisions of America’s most recognized leader? Since George Washington essentially invented the office of the president in the 1790s, the nation’s chief executive has rarely stayed on the sidelines when major events unfold. The westward movement, race relations, war, and space exploration are just a few of the topics that young students can examine by learning how these events transpired through the leadership of the president. In essence, you can put a face on history.

The White House is an office, the president’s office. It is where the chief executive and commander in chief does the business of the people. Through two centuries, some of the most critical moments in United States’ history have evolved inside the nation’s most famous building. In this lesson, we explore some of them.


Objectives

By successfully completing this lesson and accompanying activities, students will:

1. Recognize the role of the president in shaping American history.


2. Understand that the White House is the office of the president, and a place where important decisions have been made that have affected the path our nation has taken.


3. Explore how an individual can make a difference in a democratic society.

National Standards for History

The content and activities in Every Day is Presidents’ Day at the White House comply with the National Standards for History for Grades K-4, as developed by the National Center for History in the Schools, Los Angeles, CA.

Topic 3 The History of the United States: Democratic Principles and Values and the People from Many Cultures Who Contributed to Its Cultural, Economic, and Political Heritage

Standard 4C The student understands historic figures who have exemplified values and principles of American democracy.

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The White House Historical Association | Classroom