Presidents and First Ladies Unit Study

Presidents and First Ladies Unit Study

This Presidents & Elections Unit Study offers a wide range of free and low-cost resources. It includes hands-on activities, timelines, crafts, games, recipes, lapbook ideas, and cross-curricular lessons. Students will learn about presidential roles, elections, government structure, U.S. history, and more; through reading, writing, math, science, geography, and creative projects. Designed with flexibility in mind, this unit supports a thorough and engaging study of American civics.

The unit is suitable for grades K–12, with flexibility to adapt based on your learners’ ages and abilities. Please preview links and activities to ensure they are appropriate for your family. New resources will be added as time allows.

Many of the links below lead to printable resources that can be added to a notebook or lapbook for this study.

Table of Contents show

Learning Objectives

Many parents and teachers will need to create their own goals. You can compare the goals at these sites to create your own goals depending on how stringent your requirements need to be. All links have several suggested activities for different ages.

Suggested Curriculum Standards:

  • Understand the roles, duties, and historical impact of U.S. Presidents
  • Build research, critical thinking, and communication skills
  • Integrate art, music, and physical movement for well-rounded learning
  • Foster civic awareness and historical literacy

Timeline

ReadWriteThink: Online Timeline Creator
An interactive tool where students can build custom timelines. Useful for tracking presidents, elections, or major historical events.

OurTimelines.com
Create printable timelines starting from the year 1000 to the present. Add custom events, including presidential terms or historical milestones.

White House Historical Association: The Presidents Timeline
Browse U.S. presidents by term, with key events and links to further resources.

C-SPAN American Presidents
A visual and video timeline of presidential leadership, including interviews and historical highlights.

Archived Electoral College Timeline (FEC)
A Wayback Machine version of the Federal Election Commission’s timeline showing the electoral process in detail.

National Archives: Electoral College
Learn how the Electoral College works, view historical data, and track election results over time.

Vocabulary

amendment Declaration of Independence inauguration presidency
bill delegate incumbent President
Bill of Rights democracy judge primary
cabinet Democrat judicial branch Republican
campaign election law Senate
candidate Electoral College legislation Supreme Court
caucus electoral votes legislative branch swing state
Commander in Chief executive branch legislature term
Congress executive order oath of office veto
Constitution First Lady partisan Vice President
controversy House of Representatives pass vote
convention impeach

WordWeb Dictionary – Free downloadable dictionary software
Dictionary.com – Online definitions and pronunciation

Book Resources

Abe Lincoln Gets His Chance by Frances Cavanah
Abraham Lincoln, President of a Divided Country by Carol Greene
The Abraham Lincoln Joke Book by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
The Buck Stops Here by Alice Provensen
Don’t Know Much About the Presidents by Kenneth C. Davis
Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? by Gare Thompson
George Washington, Young Leader by Laurence Santrey
Ghosts of the White House by Cheryl Harness
I Did It With My Hatchet: A Story of George Washington by Robert Quackenbush
The Life & Times of Washington by Disabled Veterans of America
The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents by Wyatt Blassingame
A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln by David Adler
A Picture Book of George Washington by David Adler
A Picture Book of Thomas Jefferson by David Adler
The Presidency by Richard Pious
So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George
Thomas Jefferson and the American Ideal by Russell Shorto
The First Ladies by the White House Historical Association
The Living White House by the White House Historical Association
The Presidents of the United States of America by the White House Historical Association
We, the People, the Story of the United States by the White House Historical Association
The White House, An Historic Guide by the White House Historical Association. Note: The White House: An Historic Guide is now out of print, but it is expected to be reissued early in the second term of President Donald Trump.
Who Shot the President? The Death of John F. Kennedy by Judy Donnelly

World Book of America’s Presidents

The Wikipedia page on American Presidents is up to date and links to individual entries for each president, highlighting major accomplishments and historical details. Use the information found there to create your own customized worksheets using the tools listed in the Worksheet section of this unit.

Music

Presidential Inauguration Playlist
Presidential Inauguration of the United States of America (Spotify)
A list of songs connected to U.S. presidential inaugurations.

Create a President-Inspired Playlist
Include popular songs from different presidential eras (e.g., Civil Rights anthems for JFK/LBJ).

Hail to the Chief
Listen to Hail to the Chief (Spotify) and talk about where and why this anthem is traditionally played.

Presidential Music Makers
Learn which presidents were musical (e.g., Nixon played piano). Try composing or playing a simple tune on piano, recorder, or keyboard.

U.S. Presidential Audio Recordings + Military Music
U.S. Presidential audio recordings
United States Marine Band – “The President’s Own”

Presidential Songs for Kids
“George Washington” by Jean Bassett
“Abraham Lincoln” by Elsie Jean
Songs for Teaching – U.S. Presidents:

Weekly audio downloads often feature presidential content on Homeschool Radio Shows.

Schoolhouse Rock – “Presidential Minute”

 

Video & Software Resources

Watch Free Documentaries – Use these free resources to view presidential documentaries, speeches, and biographical content.

Compare Media – Watch two portrayals of the same presidento; one fictional (such as a film or dramatization) and one nonfiction (such as a documentary or interview). Discuss what was accurate, what was dramatized, and how media shapes public perception of leadership.

Create a Campaign Ad (Video or Poster) – Take on the role of a presidential candidate.

  • Write and record a short campaign speech
  • Design a campaign poster using free tools like Canva
  • Create a logo, slogan, or short video pitch

Games

Use these ideas to turn key concepts from this unit into creative, engaging games your learners will love.

Game Board Blanks
Create your own themed games for this unit using printable templates and inspiration from the sites below:


More Game Ideas

President-Themed Games
Create or print bingo cards, trivia questions, and memory-style games focused on U.S. presidents. The National Archives Education site occasionally offers printable resources for these types of activities.

Adaptable Game Mechanics – Dozens of classic classroom game templates that can be easily adapted to fit a presidential theme are available at Cardboard Cognition

Rebekkah’s Gameboard Activity – Rebekkah (from the Unit-Safari group) shared an idea where they created an interactive matching gameboard. They used presidential line art (found in an Instructional Fair workbook), mounted the images on foam board, and the children matched each president’s name to the correct photo. When a match was correct, a lightbulb lit up. The wiring was simple. She got help from a local Radio Shack and directions from her local 4-H office.

Online Presidential Games – These interactive games reinforce presidential history, facts, and problem-solving skills:

GeoSafari Cards

Using the GeoSafari Instruction Guide, you can create a wide variety of custom cards for this unit. GeoSafari is especially great for independent learning and long car trips!

Donna Young shows you how to make GeoSafari Cards

DIY Card Ideas

  • Timeline event ↔ date matching cards
  • True or false review questions
  • Vocabulary words ↔ real-life images
  • Chapter-based quizzes or review sets

More GeoSafari Card Ideas
  • Match the term to the president
  • A four answer card matching what world event to what president
  • A two answer card on who had kids and who didn’t
  • Match the President to the first lady
  • Match the president to his party
  • Match the President to his vice president
  • Match a Presidents name to his picture

Clip Art

Library of Congress – American Memory Collection
Search for historical photos, engravings, and documents related to presidents and First Ladies. Many are public domain.

Art and Craft Ideas

Abe Lincoln’s Log Cabin – Nestlé VeryBestKids (Archived)
Celebrate Presidents Day by building a fun and edible log cabin inspired by Abraham Lincoln’s childhood home. Use pretzel sticks, candy pieces, and green coconut to create a miniature one-room cabin. This craft combines history, creativity, and a tasty snack in one activity.

Scholastic’s “Dear America” Activities – Crafts & Food Archived craft and recipe ideas inspired by the Dear America historical fiction series. Activities reflect daily life in different eras of U.S. history and work well as hands-on extensions for presidential or American history studies.

Presidential Portraits: Recreate or interpret famous presidential portraits using pencil, collage, or digital art tools. You can use the American Presidents Notebooking Pages

Free coloring pages of presidents from Crayola

DIY Campaign Posters or Buttons: Use scrap paper, recycled materials, and markers to design historical or fictional campaign materials

Paper Models & Structures
White House Paper Model
Print and assemble a simple 3D paper model of the White House

U.S. Capitol Paper Model
A printable model of the U.S. Capitol building that helps visualize where Congress meets and laws are made.

Mount Rushmore Paper Model
Create a 3D paper version of Mount Rushmore, featuring four iconic presidents.

HP Paper Model Archive (Archived White House Project)
Former HP-hosted printable models, including a detailed White House. Use the Wayback Machine for access.

Crafts – Presidents, Homes & Dwellings
Twig House Craft (Early American-style)
Use twigs and glue to create a small rustic house model, similar to early American frontier homes.

Sketch or draw the homes of various presidents using reference photos or model guides. Add these drawings to a lapbook or notebook as part of your unit study.

Coloring Pages
Primary Games – Presidents’ Day Coloring Pages
Printable coloring sheets featuring presidents, patriotic symbols, and holiday themes for younger learners.

US Presidents Coloring Pages
A printable page for coloring United States Presidents.

Recipes

Cook your way through presidential history with simple recipes tied to former presidents, First Families, or popular foods of their time. Make a Presidential Menu from three eras.

Create a patriotic snack tray with red, white, and blue fruits (strawberries, bananas, blueberries) or bake flag-themed cookies for Presidents Day celebrations.

Make a layered smoothie using strawberries, bananas, and blueberries Layered Red, White & Blue Smoothie – Simple Green Smoothies

Red, White & Blue Vegetables
Create a patriotic veggie tray using naturally colored vegetables:

  • Red – Red bell peppers, Cherry tomatoes, Radishes
  • White – Cauliflower, Jicama sticks, White mushrooms
  • Blue (or purple) – Purple carrots, Purple cauliflower, Blue/purple potatoes (steamed)

Arrange veggies in flag-like stripes or circular starburst designs. Pair with hummus or other dip.

Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips
Take a virtual tour of presidential homes, museums, and landmarks. These experiences often include 360° tours, videos, and interactive exhibits.

Activities and Lesson Plans

Presidents Day – Crafts, Activities & Lessons

Enchanted Learning: Presidents’ Day Crafts

DLTK Kids President’s Day Coloring Pages
Craft projects for George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and general patriotic themes using simple materials.

Activities for Kids – Presidents Day Paper Chain
A simple craft that uses paper strips to create a chain of presidential facts.

English Language Arts (ELA)

Writing Prompts

  • “If I Were President…” mini-essay or illustrated journal entry
  • Write a letter to a former president
  • Create a campaign speech for a fictional or historical election

Reading Comprehension & Vocabulary
RHL Reading Comprehension – George Washington
A printable reading passage with questions focused on the first president.

RHL Reference Skills – Lincoln Facts
A short activity designed to strengthen reference and fact-finding skills using information about Abraham Lincoln.

The Potters’ Puzzles – Presidential Word Puzzles
Crossword puzzles, word searches, and other vocabulary games with a presidential theme.

Poetry + Music

George Washington Poems a short poem to memorize.
Abraham Lincoln Songs & Poems
Inaugural Poetry (TeacherVision)
A selection of poems written for or read at U.S. presidential inaugurations, along with ideas for discussion or classroom activities.

Math

Graphing
Make bar graphs or pie charts using presidential data such as:

  • Political party affiliation
  • Age at inauguration
  • Number of terms served
  • Vice presidents who became president

Skip Counting and Patterns
Reinforce number patterns by practicing skip counting using presidential order (e.g., every 4th year = new election).

Budgeting Activity
Plan a fictional presidential campaign budget. Use store ads or online flyers to “purchase” supplies like posters, buttons, transportation, food, or event rentals. Set a spending limit and keep track of total costs to practice real-world math skills.

Social Studies / Geography

Presidential Timeline Activity
Use a free printable template or create your own timeline to chart presidents alongside major national and world events during their terms.

Map Work

  • Mark the birthplace of each president on a U.S. map
  • Include both birth and home states of presidents and First Ladies
  • Label U.S. states and major world countries during each presidency
  • Identify global regions involved in conflicts during each administration
  • Color-code states based on how many presidents were born there
  • Shade maps showing commercial trade routes or exports relevant to each presidency

Civics & Government Basics
Learn about the three branches of government using free lessons and interactive games from iCivics.org, a nonprofit founded by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to promote civic education.

Science

Presidential Science Trivia
Look into presidents with ties to science. Thomas Jefferson kept daily weather journals, Herbert Hoover was a trained geologist, and several presidents supported major advancements in space, medicine, or technology.

White House Science Facts
Study topics such as the White House gardens, how energy use has changed over time, and which presidents supported space programs like NASA or clean energy initiatives.

Weather Journal
Create a simple weather journal based on Thomas Jefferson’s daily tracking. Record the date, time, temperature, sky conditions, wind, and any precipitation. Use a notebook or printable chart to organize your entries. Review your data weekly or monthly to look for patterns, just as Jefferson did. This hands-on activity blends science, history, and observation skills.

For reference and historical context:

Sound & Campaign Technology
Learn how microphones and amplifiers help presidents deliver speeches to large crowds. During a campaign or inaugural address, sound systems make it possible for every person to hear, whether in a stadium or on a broadcast.

After watching the video, try one of these activities:

  • Cup Amplifier – Use paper cups and a cardboard tube to build a basic amplifier. Experiment with different shapes or materials to see what works best.
    Kid Minds: Easy Amplifier Project
  • Tune Booster Sound Challenge – Test various containers (cups, bowls, boxes) to see which boosts the sound from a phone or music device the most.
    Science Museum: Tune Booster

Discussion or Journal Ideas

  • What parts of a microphone or speaker help make a campaign speech heard?
  • Why is this technology important in a democracy?
  • What would public speeches be like without sound systems?

Garden Comparison Activity – Sustainability Through History
Compare the White House Garden to your own garden or a local community garden with a focus on sustainability and food production. Look at how gardens have reflected the priorities of different time periods and presidential administrations.

The White House grounds have changed over time to reflect the values and needs of each era:

  • Founding Era: George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both passionate about agriculture. Jefferson often recorded weather and crop data, emphasizing the role of gardening in American self-sufficiency.
  • Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden (1940s): During World War II, the First Lady planted a vegetable garden on the White House lawn to encourage Americans to grow their own food and ease pressure on the food supply.
  • Michelle Obama’s Kitchen Garden (2009): This modern revival of White House food gardening promoted healthier eating habits and local food systems. The garden served as both a food source and an educational space for children.

Choose a garden to observe – your home garden, a community garden, or even a virtual tour. Note its layout, plants, and purpose.

Comparison Chart
Category White House Garden (any era) Your Garden / Local Garden
Time period Choose an era (e.g., WWII, Jefferson, modern) Present day
Purpose Food production, beauty, symbolism, education Food, habitat, learning, etc.
Type of plants Vegetables, herbs, ornamentals, native plants List what’s planted locally
Sustainability practices Composting, pollinator plants, heirlooms Local efforts, if any
Public or private National symbol, high visibility Local or personal use

Discussion or Journal Prompts

  • How did the White House Garden reflect what was important at the time?
  • How does your garden (or one nearby) support sustainability or food security today?
  • What can we learn about history and leadership from how a garden is used?

Optional Activity – Design your own White House Garden for a modern presidency. What would you plant, and why?

Physical Education (PE)

Presidential Fitness Challenge Inspired Obstacle CourseCreate a backyard or indoor obstacle course with jumping jacks, sit-ups, and balancing (like the original fitness challenge from the 1960s-2000s).

Presidential Youth Fitness Program This is the modern version of the former Presidential Fitness Test. It focuses on personal progress and overall health rather than competition. Free resources are available for measuring fitness levels through activities like strength, endurance, and flexibility exercises. Homeschoolers can use the program’s tools to set goals and encourage lifelong physical wellness.

Presidential Moves Game Assign a unique movement to each president (for example, “Lincoln = Lunge,” “Washington = Walk the Line,” “Roosevelt = Reach”). Use these to create memory or movement-based games. Say a president’s name and do the matching movement or mix up flashcards and take turns drawing and acting them out. It’s a fun way to review presidential facts while adding physical activity to your homeschool routine.

Worksheets

Make your own worksheets with these worksheet creation tools:

  • SchoolHouseTech https://www.schoolhousetech.com/ This company gives away two free software worksheet factories one for Basic math and one for wordsearch utility that will make wonderful complements to this unit when you include the clipart listed in the clipart section.
  • Start Write – This program makes nice reports and handwriting worksheets for the unit. https://www.startwrite.com/
  • TeachNology has several online worksheet makers and a ton of Rubric makers. Rubrics work great with Homeschool Tracker because they give you total points and you count up exactly how many points your child gets. https://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/
  • Online Crossword Puzzle Maker to use with your vocabulary words or locations or even dates from the timeline. https://www.happychild.org.uk/wks/english/ssm/crosswords01.htm

Web Information

PBS LearningMedia: What Makes a Perfect President
An interactive resource that highlights key presidential qualities using short video clips, reflection questions, and classroom-ready activities. Ideal for discussion or journaling in a homeschool setting.

Official Government & Educational Sites

White House Historical Association: The Presidents Timeline
An interactive timeline highlighting each U.S. president with key facts, images, and historical context.

White House Kids
K-12 learning tools and activities focused on presidential history, the White House, and civic engagement.

CIA Spy Kids Page
A kid-friendly introduction to intelligence gathering, history, and the role of the CIA, with games and activities.

C-SPAN Classroom
Free teaching resources, videos, and lesson plans on U.S. government, elections, and the presidency.

National Archives: Electoral College
Official information on the structure, function, and history of the Electoral College.

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Winning the Vote
Educational collection on how Americans elect their president, featuring historical documents, images, and activities.

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Meet Mr. President
An educational look at the changing role of the U.S. president, with primary sources and curated teaching tools.

Elections, Campaigns & Inaugurations

Electoral College (National Archives)
Detailed information about how the Electoral College works, including state-by-state breakdowns, certificates, and historical data.

The Living Room Candidate
A digital archive of presidential campaign commercials from 1952 to the present, with commentary and teaching tools.

PBS Inauguration Coverage
Reports and multimedia coverage of past presidential inaugurations, including speeches, ceremonies, and historical background.

Yale Avalon Project: Inaugural Addresses
Full text of U.S. presidential inaugural addresses, from George Washington to the present.

Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States (Bartleby)
A literary archive of inaugural speeches for easy reading and reference.

We the People (CKColorado – Grade 8 Civics)
Constitution-focused unit offers a foundational look at the guiding principles of the U.S. government. Through interactive activities, students explore how the government functions and why the Constitution remains a vital, evolving document in American democracy.

Constitution Center Educational Resources and Constitution Day Materials
Lesson plans, activities, and resources to mark Constitution Day on September 17, 2025.

2025 Constitution Day Poster Contest Entry Form
Information and entry form for the national poster design contest honoring Constitution Day.

Individual Presidents

Enchanted Learning: List of U.S. Presidents with Basic Info

George Washington

Mount Vernon includes biographical information, artifacts, and teaching resources. Library of Congress: George Washington offers curated digital resources and historic documents. Colonial Williamsburg: George Washington provides historical background and interpretation.

Abraham Lincoln

Scholastic Virtual Field Trip: Abraham Lincoln is designed for younger learners and includes photos, videos, and key facts. CKColorado: A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand is a Grade 2 unit focused on Lincoln’s leadership during a time of conflict. CKColorado: Our Civil War (Grade 5) centers on major Civil War battles, public response, and the roles of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis.

Thomas Jefferson

Monticello provides educational resources about Jefferson’s life, home, and writings.

Theodore Roosevelt

National Portrait Gallery: Theodore Roosevelt features a digital exhibition on his presidency. Theodore Roosevelt Association includes a timeline, quotes, and downloadable classroom resources. 25 Questions on Roosevelt to look up and answer.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

FDR Library Educator Resources include lessons and materials about Roosevelt’s presidency.

Executive Order 9066

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. Executive Order 9066 Curriculum Guide and Internment Resources provide documentation on the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. While these resources offer historical background, it is essential to recognize that this policy resulted in the unlawful imprisonment of over 120,000 people – most of them American citizens – based solely on their ancestry.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Eisenhower Library offers digital exhibits and classroom materials.

John F. Kennedy

National Park Service: JFK Lesson Plan provides classroom-ready activities.

Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson Library features historical documents, lesson plans, and media.

Andrew Johnson

Impeachment of Andrew Johnson gives detailed historical context and primary sources.

Presidential Biographies, Speeches & Documents

C-SPAN American Presidents – Video biographies, interviews, and historical context for each U.S. president.

PBS The American President – Documentaries and educational resources focused on presidential history and leadership.

Miller Center – In-depth biographies, policy overviews, and full-text speeches for every U.S. president.

LET/RUG Presidential Index – Academic collection of presidential biographies, speeches, and founding documents.

Fact Monster Biographies – Student-friendly profiles of all U.S. presidents for quick reference and basic research.

History Channel Classroom – U.S. Presidents
A hub for presidential history, featuring timelines, video content, and topic-based overviews ideal for classroom or homeschool use.

Presidential Libraries

National Archives Presidential Libraries Learn about the legacy of U.S. presidents through their official libraries, which house documents, exhibits, and educational resources.

First Ladies

National First Ladies Library Learn about the lives, roles, and contributions of America’s First Ladies through biographies, lesson plans, and primary sources.

Lapbook Ideas

Lapbook or Notebooking Pages include cut-and-paste elements, timelines, campaign slogans, and more

Center Fold – U.S. Presidents Overview

  • Accordion timeline of all U.S. Presidents
  • Mini-flipbooks for each with name, photo, term years, party, and key fact

Left Flap – Elections & Civics

  • Parts of a presidential campaign (speech, debate, ads, buttons)
  • Electoral College diagram
  • Branches of government foldout
  • Voter qualifications wheel (then vs. now)

Right Flap – Presidential Life & Legacy

  • First Ladies match-up game
  • Presidential pets mini-cards
  • Favorite foods pocket with recipe cards
  • White House facts lift-the-flap

Extras

  • Map of birthplaces (color-coded pins or tabs)
  • “If I Were President…” writing prompt booklet
  • Inauguration vocabulary wheel (oath, ceremony, parade)
  • Campaign ad design with blank space for student artwork
  • “Executive Decisions” mini-book choices a president makes

Evaluation Ideas

Assemble a three ring binder and please include:


Also include one President Bio Form for each President

Affiliate Links

American Presidents Notebooking Pages
American Presidents Notebooking Pages

American First Ladies Notebooking Pages
American First Ladies Notebooking Pages

American Presidents Notebooking Pages Bundle
American Presidents Notebooking Pages Bundle

 
View more American History topics
 

Last Updated on July 9, 2025 by Jodi

3 Comments

  • Barbara

    July 7, 2025 at 12:41 Reply

    This is such a helpful and creative resource—thanks for sharing it! I’m not American or homeschooling, but I still enjoyed seeing how fun and hands-on learning can be. You’ve pulled together so many great ideas!

  • Dr.Amrita Basu

    July 7, 2025 at 12:03 Reply

    A very detailed and helpful resource for students .Its helpful to have many vetted sites all in one page .I like how you have given tips for creating a binder and organizing .

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