Presenting U.S. Presidents

 

When the United States became a nation, it chose to be led by a president rather than a king – and with a limited term. We honor past presidents officially once a year – but hopefully every day. Discover those presidents in these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch what it takes to be U.S. President at https://youtu.be/GikqTRSvbSo
• Read fun facts about U.S. Presidents at https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/presidential-fun-facts
• George Washington was the first U.S. President. See what made him special at https://youtu.be/gQsVhebhJ0A

 

CREATE:

• Get active about U.S. presidents with these fun things to do: https://childcarelounge.com/pages/presidents-day-theme-and-activities
• Eat some favorite foods of the U.S. Presidents: https://www.businessinsider.com/presidents-favorite-food-dishes-white-house-2019-5
• Have a party for U.S. presidents with these ideas: https://www.easy-party-ideas-and-games.com/holidays-and-celebration.html

 

CARE:

• Last year the President signed the Keep Kids Fed Act. Get the details at https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/dem/press/release/president-signs-the-keep-kids-fed-act
• U.S. Presidents are voted in. What is voting and why is it important? Find out the answers at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrG7zBUDiqQ
• Watch a pep talk from Kid President to you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o

 

 CAREERS:

If you are a U.S. citizen and at last 35 years old, you could become President. And there are many jobs that help the President carry out the duties. Here are a few.

• White house residence staff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrG7zBUDiqQ
• President’s press secretary: https://kpcnotebook.scholastic.com/post/conversation-white-house-press-secretary
• Congress: https://www.timeforkids.com/g2/congress-work/?rl=en-450

 

 

Your Government Voice

The political system is a central aspect of all countries. At every level, citizens elect their representatives. Presidential elections are especially important, and showcase each person’s involvement as active citizens. Whether it’s voting for a class president or the President of the U.S., you should be informed because your voting voice does count.

CONNECT:

• Ben Franklin’s avator explains the election process for different age groups: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/election/index.html
• Television greatly expanded the access to presidential debates. Watch the history and debate the quality of today’s election debates: http://www.museum.tv/debateweb/html/
• It’s important to be media literate in election season. Get informed at “The Living Room Candidate” about presidential commercials: http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/
• Technically, it’s the Electoral College who elects the President; watch how at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFJ2e82Nvnw
• The Machinery of Democracy (http://americanhistory.si.edu/vote/index.html) explores how ballots and voting systems have evolved over the years.

CREATE:

• Make your prediction about presidential winners at http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/map/predict.html
• Look at historical political cartoons at http://elections.harpweek.com/, and compare them to today’s cartoons. Try making your own – maybe about elections at school.
• Create a trivia game using fun facts about US elections: http://www.gallopade.com/client/electionsforkids/index-1.html
• Create your own voting booth by following the directions at http://creeksidelearning.com/elections-for-kids/

CARE:

• How can kids participate in elections? PBS shows how at http://pbskids.org/democracy/vote/
• Watch kid reporters in the current election cycle, and take a poll about the presidential election at http://election.scholastic.com/kid-reporters/
• Speak up for kids during elections. Washington state’s Children’s Alliance gives suggestions for actions: http://www.childrensalliance.org/our-current-work/vote-kids
• Stay informed, and raise your voice about election issues at http://www.nick.com/kpp/

 CAREER:

Politics can be a lifetime career – or a one-time effort. And there are many careers that related to politics: journalism and other mass communications jobs, marketing, historian, lobbyist, lawyer.

https://www.themuse.com/advice/love-politics-make-it-your-job

http://www.apsanet.org/CAREERS/Careers-In-Political-Science

https://gspm.gwu.edu/sites/gspm.gwu.edu/files/downloads/careersebook.pdf