Key Takeaways
- Presidents’ Day is an important seasonal theme and a great opportunity to spark interest in social studies.
- Build core knowledge about Presidents’ Day topics like American history and civics with free resources from Scholastic News.
- Incorporate nonfiction reading into lessons with engaging stories about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Presidents’ Day has been part of American life since 1885 when it was created to honor Washington’s birthday (February 22, 1732). We now celebrate it on the third Monday of every February, and we honor all those who held the nation’s highest office.
This year, Presidents’ Day is on February 17, so now is the perfect time to plan for engaging lessons on this important social studies topic.
We’re pleased to share these free classroom resources about Presidents’ Day, made just for first- and second-graders, from Scholastic News. They’re sure to build your students’ core knowledge and get them interested in American history and civics from a very young age.
Grade 2:
Washington’s Secret Trip Makes History
Start with our fun video, “The Life of George Washington,” from Scholastic News for grade 2, which portrays his childhood and presents facts students should know. Afterward, have them answer questions about what they learned with this video-comprehension printable.
Next, transport your class to a perilous, historic night in 1776 with “George Washington’s Secret Trip.” This vivid account of his crossing the Delaware with the Continental Army illustrates the qualities that made Washington a Revolutionary War hero and Founding Father of our country. He was inspirational, brave, brilliant and caring.
Follow up the story with this close-reading activity sheet to help sharpen the ELA skills of your growing readers. We’re also providing this step-by-step lesson plan, discussion questions, assessments, a vocabulary slideshow and more to help make the most of Presidents’ Day.
Grade 1:
Lincoln the Leader Unites the States
Show first graders how the 16th president was a strong and trusted leader with our lesson “Lincoln the Leader” from Scholastic News for grade 1.
Begin with our animated video, “The Life of Abraham Lincoln.” Kids will be fascinated by what it was like to grow up in a one-room, one-window log cabin with a dirt floor—and so many chores that Abe usually couldn’t go to school! Yet young Abe devours books by candlelight; draws crowds for his storytelling; and grows up to become a lawyer, congressman and president who leads the country through the Civil War.
In our accompanying nonfiction article, kids will read about how President Lincoln listened to others, managed his emotions and shared his ideas—all essential social-emotional-learning skills for your students to develop. Our writing/craft activity, “Abe Lincoln Fact Masks,” promotes hands-on learning and lets children share what they know. Our enjoyable Lincoln lesson also includes an interactive online game, lesson plan, vocabulary slideshow and skills activities.
Prepped for Presidents’ Day
We hope you and your elementary-schoolers love using these exciting, knowledge-building resources from Scholastic News in your classroom. Happy Presidents’ Day!
