Presidents’ Day is a wonderful American holiday celebrating two of our great presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. I’ve gathered up books, printables, activities, and resources I think you will enjoy as you plan your Presidents’ Day unit study. You can see all of the printables specifically for Presidents Day in my shop: Presidents Day Printables & Activities.
If learning with themes and doing a unit study is new to you, see my post on How to Create a Unit Study. It’s full of practical ideas for the planning process.
Planning A Presidents’ Day Unit Study
Theme Planner: Print off my Unit Study Planning Pages if you don’t already have a printable you like. You can use it to begin making your plans as you read through the suggestions in this post.
Presidents’ Day KWL: Start your unit study with a Presidents’ Day KWL. KWL stands for Know, Want to Know, and Learned. Your child tells you what he already knows about the topic, what he wants to know, and what he has learned at the end. KWLs are a great way to document your child’s learning, especially if you use a more relaxed approach to homeschooling. See more about KWLs here: Using a KWL in Your Homeschool Unit Study.
Books, Printables, and Activities
Presidents’ Day Lapbook: This Presidents’ Day Lapbook is a great way to learn about the holiday as well as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It is especially designed to work well with reluctant writers or children who struggle with writing so it is focused more on content than writing. This is a low-key, easy to assemble lapbook and it looks great when it is done.
Presidents’ Day Writing and Notebooking Pages: Do some creative writing for Presidents’ Day! Presidents’ Day Writing Pages includes both standard and primary lines in each design.
U. S. Presidents Fun Fact Cards: If you and your children want to learn about many of the presidents this month, check out my U.S. Presidents Fun Fact Cards. This is a collection of fascinating facts that you won’t find anywhere else. I guarantee you will learn some fun things along with your children while using these. If you do a morning time with your children, these can easily be added to your basket.
U.S. Presidents Copywork: Your children can also enjoy practicing their handwriting with the fun facts in copywork form in the U.S. Presidents Copywork.
Picture Books
Here are a few books for children specifically about Presidents’ Day. You can see more book suggestions in my Amazon Presidents’ Day shop section.
Facts About Graphic Organizer: Your child can use my Facts About Graphic Organizer to keep track of her favorite facts related to Presidents’ Day. Young children or children who struggle with writing can draw pictures in each shape to represent the facts.
Venn Diagram: As you are learning about these important presidents, have your child look for ways they are similar and different. You can add those facts to my George Washington vs Abraham Lincoln Venn Diagram.
Spelling, Vocabulary & Word Search
Spelling & Vocabulary: Choose several spelling words that are appropriate for your child’s ability. If you don’t do formal spelling, you can use this list for vocabulary discussion.
- Abraham Lincoln
- George Washington
- inauguration
- slavery
- president
- American Revolution
- Civil War
- Delaware River
- Mount Vernon
- Ford’s Theater
- Martha Washington
- Mary Todd Lincoln
- Illinois
- Virginia
- senator
Word Search Puzzle: Use the words in the list above to create a word search. You can make it for your child or your child can make it for you! Here is a Word Search Template.
Presidents’ Day Writing
Write a Biography: Write a short biography about Washington or Lincoln using Write a Biography (Early Elementary) or Write a Biography (Upper Grades) printables. Illustrate with a drawing or print a picture from online to glue in the oval.
Newspaper Article: Pretend you could interview either Washington or Lincoln. Who would you choose? Write down 3-5 questions you would ask him. Then write a newspaper article with what you think their answers would be.
Presidents’ Day Geography
Map Skills: Use a United States map to mark important places in the life of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as you learn about them.
Presidents’ Day Recipes
Cooking is a great way to add math and science to your learning. Explore some of the favorite foods of President Washington and President Lincoln. Here are some your child can make and try!
George Washington’s Favorite Foods
- Information on Dining at Mount Vernon
- Hoe Cake
- George Washington Great Cake, 1780 recipe
- Mary Ball Washington Gingerbread
Abraham Lincoln’s Favorite Foods
More Creative Learning Ideas
Postage Stamp: Design a postage stamp to celebrate Washington, Lincoln, or both using the Design a Postage Stamp Worksheet.
Role Playing: Role playing can be an effective ways to learn. Check out the fantastic children’s costumes for George Washington, Martha Washington, Abraham Lincoln, colonial girls, Civil War soldiers, Civil War nurses, southern belles, and other relevant people during these historical periods.
Word Searches, Coloring Pages, and Other Pencil Activities: There are many to consider in my Presidents’ Day Amazon Shop.
List It: How many Presidents’ Day words can you come up with? Keep a list as you are studying or use the List It printable from the unit study pack as a final activity to review everything you’ve learned.
I hope you enjoy your Presidents’ Day themed study!
Morning Hope – 1 John 3:1-13
Hi Sallie,
First I have to say thank you for your statement about yourself and what you believe. It is encouraging to see fellow Christians who are standing for truth and are unapologetic for Godly morals and values! Also thank you for creating a great resource for teachers to use for Presidents Day. I am excited to share it and use it within my own classroom.
Alyssa