With Presidents Day coming up, many primary teachers are planning presidential activities. Kindergarten teachers often focus on Washington and Lincoln. First grade teacher could build upon that learning with Mount Rushmore activities.
Forward Movement
Primary kids may already recognize the faces of Washington and Lincoln. First grade offers the perfect opportunity to focus on the full Mount Rushmore lineup. This deeper dive not only keeps the learning fresh and engaging but also helps students build on prior learning.
Teach the Men on the Mountain
By exploring the private life, leadership style and contributions of all 4 presidents – Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt – students can begin to understand the broader story of American leadership.
Exploring Private Lives
Diving into the diverse private lives of these 4 men helps students see them as real people. Sharing the personal stories helps students connect to these historical figures. They realize that even the great leaders were once kids just like them.
Some ideas for researching private lives Mount Rushmore activities:
- make a timeline for each president showing major life events
- compare and contrast economic status
- study and illustrate family structure
- explore life during their childhood events and how their time shaped them
- Study life after presidency
Study Leadership Styles
Not all presidents have the same leadership style. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to leading a nation. Looking a a group of leaders gives students the chance to see that there are many ways to get important work done.
You are not going to find their leadership style listed in the stories.But, by asking the right questions and posting them to be researched, your class can draw their own conclusions:
- “How did the presidents help others?”
- “What qualities made him a good leader?”
- “How did the president make decisions?”
- “Did he work with others, or alone?”
- “Did he lead the nation or the world?”
- What were his leadership qualities?”
Listing Contributions
By highlighting the works of each president, your students can see the diverse ways leaders impact history. This help students understand the key moments and decisions that shaped the United States.
Among the many Mount Rushmore activity ideas:
- Matching important works to the president
- Sorting the works into the social institutions like: education, business, healthcare, government, and world relations
- Creating presidential resume posters for each president
Resources for Mount Rushmore Activities
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