Begin the activity by placing all of the U.S. presidents' names in a bag. Or you might print out each of the coloring pages (or portraits) and have students draw one from the stack. Students will be responsible for learning more about that president and writing a report about him, then coloring the picture. Post each student's coloring page and written report about a president on the "Meet Our Presidents" bulletin board display.
Writing About the Presidents Across the Grades
The format of the students' written reports will vary from grade to grade.
Primary grade students might learn some very basic facts about the president to write a simple report that might look like this:
GeorgeWashington was the first president of the United States. He was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on February 22, 1732.
Elementary grade students might create reports that include a listing of specific facts of the teacher's choice (for example, the president's name, his place and date of birth, the years he served as president, his age at the time he took the oath of office, and so on. Students might conclude their research by writing a paragraph that highlights two or three of the president's greatest accomplishments.
Middle and high school students' reports will reflect great depth and understanding of the president's life, the most important events of his tenure, and his place in history.
Assessment
Develop a simple rubric based on your expectations. Students will use the rubric as a guide to successfully completing the project. You might refer to some sample rubrics -- such as this one for primary grade students, this one for elementary students, or this one for older students -- as a guide for creating your own.
SOCIAL SCIENCES: Civics GRADES K - 4 NSS-C.K-4.1 What Is Government? NSS-C.K-4.2 Values and Principles of Democracy GRADES 5 - 8 NSS-C.5-8.1 Civic Life, Politics, and Government NSS-C.5-8.2 Foundations of the American Political System NSS-C.5-8.3 Principles of Democracy GRADES 9 - 12 NSS-C.9-12.1 Civic Life, Politics, and Government NSS-C.9-12.2 Foundations of the Political System NSS-C.9-12.3 Principles of Democracy
SOCIAL SCIENCES: U.S. History GRADES K - 4 NSS-USH.K-4.3 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 GRADES 5 - 12 NSS-USH.5-12All Eras
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"Meet Our Presidents" Bulletin Board