Teach Presidents’ Day in Your Classroom
It’s time to bring fun and engagement to your Presidents’ Day activities in your social studies classroom. Teach your kids all about the US Presidents with puzzles, videos, and books that your students will enjoy. Here are some ready-to-use activities to get you started.
Whom do We Celebrate on Presidents’ Day?
We celebrate Presidents’ Day on the third Monday in February. Originally, it started as a day to celebrate George Washington’s birthday, but now it’s a day to recognize all past and present Presidents. From George Washington to Joe Biden, every President is recognized on this special day. Overall, it’s a great time to learn about the history of the presidency and reflect on the important role these leaders have played in shaping our country.
Early Presidents’ Day Activities
Of course, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are the presidents we usually think of when we hear “Presidents’ Day”. Celebrating two important presidents in American History helps your students understand the foundation of our country. From puzzle games to virtual field trips, these Presidents’ Day activities all about Abe and George are the best way to engage your students.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln Escape Room
It’s no surprise that I LOVE using escape rooms when teaching about Presidents! This Presidents’ Day Abraham Lincoln Escape Room is one of my favorites. Topics include:
- Abraham Lincoln
- Civil War
- Lincoln-Douglas debates
- Reconstruction
- Gettysburg Address
- Emancipation Proclamation
- 13 Amendment
The escape room moves through five stations: Fill in the Blank, Find the Paragraph, True or False, Lock Combination, and Multiple Choice. By reading passages, your students will solve puzzles and find the codes to escape!
Finally, the escape room reinforces reading comprehension, critical thinking, citing evidence, problem-solving, and text-marking skills.
60-Second Presidents
Celebrating Presidents’ Day is so much fun! Share more about Abraham Lincoln and other presidents with quick 60-second president videos that work perfectly as attention-getters or bell ringers. These are perfect intro videos for Presidents’ Day lessons. Check out the other presidential resources from PBS Learning Media including election lessons, First Lady resources, and more!
George Washington
Of course, our first US President was George Washington. There is so much to learn about General Washington in your Presidents’ Day activities. Here are a few to share with your students.
George Washington Cube Code
Yay! Cube Code stations are another version of escape rooms with an artistic twist. Why not share more about the first President with these fun stations?
Learn more about George Washington-related topics including:
- George Washington
- American Revolution
- presidency
- Constitutional Convention
- Mount Vernon
- Articles of Confederation
This cube code Presidents’ Day activity has six stations. These include Fill in the Blank, Find the Paragraph, True or False, Lock Combination, Multiple Choice, and Main Idea. With their reading passage in hand, students move around the classroom visiting each station. Next, they earn part of their cube and determine a 4-digit code (stations 1-5) before moving on to the next station. Station 6 is a main idea, writing activity.
Students put together and decorate their cubes when they are finished! Grab some colored pencils or fun markers to let your students complete their cubes. Of course, I love sharing these creations at Parent-Teacher conferences or in student portfolios.
Plan a Trip to Mt. Vernon
Unless you live in the DC/Alexandria area, Mt. Vernon might be accessible for your Presidents’ Day celebrations. However, have your students research George Washington’s former home and take a virtual tour. The Mt. Vernon website also has lessons and interactive tools for your students to explore and learn more about the first President!
Virtual Tour
First, discover every nook and cranny of Mount Vernon on this virtual tour! Each room and area of the estate is accompanied by informative details, along with fascinating facts about the objects and features you’ll encounter along the way. This is a perfect Presidents’ Day activity.
Next, use the “Be Washington” interactive experience in your classroom. This first-person simulation lets your kids act as George Washington during key historical events including the Battle of Second Trenton, the Newburgh Conspiracy, the Genet Affair, and the Whiskey Rebellion.
Another engaging activity from the Mt. Vernon site is George Washington/Presidents’ Day coloring pages. Learn about tools from the American Revolution, the Washington family, 13 colonies, and more. These pages are great for a Presidents’ Day brain break.
Even More US Presidents’ Day Activities
George and Abe aren’t the only presidents worth celebrating. Of course, Presidents’ Day also recognizes the other 44 presidents as well. Here are some more Presidents’ Day activities.
US Presidents Article of the Day
Read all about the presidents! This Presidents’ Day activity is a FULL MONTH of Uncommon US Presidents’ Facts, American History Tidbits, Articles of the Day, or Bellringers. Overall, there are 21 Presidents reading comprehension passages, questions, annotations, and graphic organizers.
Everyone knows about the Gettysburg Address and George and the cherry tree, but there are so many more fun facts to engage your students about the US Presidents.
For example, your students will be delighted to find out that someone sent President Calvin Coolidge a raccoon for Thanksgiving dinner or that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day. Find out more fun facts with these US Presidents’ articles.
More Fun Presidential Facts
Share more obscure presidential facts with your students. One fact is that President McKinley had a pet parrot that knew how to whistle “Yankee Doodle Dandy”. Also, Ben Franklin was afraid of electricity! These weird, wild facts help your students want to learn even more about the presidents.
US Mint Game
The US Mint has a fun Presidents’ Day challenge for your students. Your students drag and drop the corresponding presidential medal with the number of their presidency. This game is also a great review even for adults. Try easy, medium, or hard levels. The site also reviews the history behind presidential medals.
Why Should You Teach Presidents’ Day in Your Classroom?
Overall, Presidents’ Day is a fantastic chance to bring some excitement into your classroom while teaching about American history. From fun escape rooms and virtual tours to interactive games and quirky presidential facts, there are so many ways to make learning about US Presidents engaging and enjoyable.
Celebrate George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and other presidents with creative activities that get students involved and curious. Whether it’s through coloring pages, quick videos, or the “Be Washington” experience, your students will have a blast while discovering the important roles these leaders played in shaping our country. Which Presidents’ Day activity will you try first in your classroom?
