A guide for using our resources

Children will compare Washington’s childhood with their own.

Social Studies Focus: Presidents' Day

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

• Pull up this issue from last year to teach a compare/contrast lesson about the two presidents we honor on Presidents' Day.
• The text structure is the same in both issues, allowing for an easy side-by-side comparison.

• In the sidebar, children learned that tri means three. Washington wore a tricorn hat, which had three corners.
• Write the word tricycle on the board and circle the word part tri. You might also draw a simple picture. What does a tricycle have three of? It has three wheels!

Skill: art, following directions

Materials: Tricorn Hat template, dark construction paper, scissors, stapler, white crayon, stickers (optional)

• Have children use the template to trace the shape onto dark construction paper and cut it out. Each child will need three of these for their hat.
• Let children use white crayons to decorate the sides of their hats. They can also add star stickers or other patriotic stickers.
• Help children staple the sides of their hats together, about a half inch from each edge (use the template as a guide). Wear the hats for a Presidents' Day celebration—and a fun photo op!