Last Minute Presidents

Well I don't know about anyone else, but February is always my busiest month when it comes to my Science and Social Studies units. I have to fit in Groundhog's Day + shadows, Dental Hygiene/teeth, Presidents (Washington, Lincoln, Obama, and National Monuments), plus friendship and Valentine's. Depending on where Chinese New Year falls and how many snow days we've had in January, I'm generally finishing that up by the time dreaded February comes. This year, we've had 2 inservice days in February and when you add in assemblies and interventions...there never seems to be enough time. So anyways, that's my excuse for just now starting my President's Day unit today. But hey, tomorrow is Washington's birthday!!! My timing might not be so bad after all....waiittttt I still have to get in some leap day stuff. Dear God, help me.

So back to President's Day. Today, I read a short Washington biography and I plan on having the students make this craftivity from The First Grade Parade. Honestly, we may not have time to paint, but that's what tannish colored crayons are for. :)

 

As far as old Abe goes, I found a mailbox freebie one year that's a simple silhouette of Lincoln's head. We take the silhouette and use rulers to divide it into squares by drawing horizontal and vertical lines. This gives us time to review how we use rulers right before we get into our measurement unit in math. Timing is everything, eh? Then, we create patterns using red and blue crayons=PATRIOTIC! Check out the final product below! I'd love to scan the silhouette, I just need to make sure I'm not breaking copyright, etc. Oh, below the silhouette we write an acrostic poem with the word "President" or "Lincoln."

Enjoy!