Domain:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Competency:
Ask questions and define challenges
🎂
7-9 year olds
⏰
30 to 35 minutes min
Rate this lesson!
Learning Objective
Students will identify key qualities of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln that made them effective leaders.
Learning Resource Synopsis
In "President's Day" by Anne Rockwell, Mrs. Madoff's class celebrates Presidents' Day by preparing and performing a play about important figures in American history. The story focuses on the contributions of presidents like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, with students taking on roles that highlight their achievements. The book provides a foundation for young readers to understand the significance of the holiday. The narrative culminates with a class election, engaging students in the democratic process. This picture book serves as an educational tool to introduce the concepts of leadership and historical remembrance to children.
Extended Learning Resources
| Resource & Author | Publication Info | Description |
|---|---|---|
| George Washington's Teeth | Written by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora, illustrated by Brock Cole, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux | This engaging picture book combines factual information with humor to teach children about George Washington's life and resilience, highlighting important leadership traits. |
| National Geographic Readers: Abraham Lincoln | Written by Caroline Crosson Gilpin, published by National Geographic Kids | This early reader book provides an age-appropriate exploration of Abraham Lincoln's life and leadership, perfect for introducing young children to historical figures. |
Vocabulary List
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | The ability to guide or direct a group of people in a positive way. | George Washington showed great leadership when he helped lead the country to independence. |
| Respect | A feeling of admiration for someone because of their qualities or achievements. | The students showed respect for Abraham Lincoln by listening carefully to the play about his life. |
| Democracy | A system of government where the people have the power to make decisions by voting. | During the class election, the students learned about democracy by voting for their favorite candidate. |
| Achievement | Something important or difficult that someone has successfully done. | Abraham Lincoln's achievement of ending slavery is remembered on Presidents' Day. |
| Contribution | Something that you give or do to help make something successful or to improve it. | The class discussed the contributions of different presidents in their play to understand how each one helped the country. |
Prompt
Essential Question: "What qualities can we learn from leaders like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln that help us solve problems and work well with others?"
Today, we're going to explore what makes someone a great leader. Think about a time when you worked with others to solve a problem. How did you feel when things went well? Let's dive into how leaders like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln made a difference by working together with others.
Anticipatory Set
- Begin by asking students to close their eyes and imagine a moment when they felt proud of helping someone. What did it feel like in that moment?
- Show an image of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Prompt students to observe closely and notice any expressions or details that suggest they are thinking or solving a problem.
- Invite students to share with a partner one quality they think a great leader should have, based on their own experiences of helping others.
Teacher Tips
- Use a calm and inviting voice to guide students through the visualization, ensuring they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
- Encourage students to use descriptive language by modeling an example of what you notice in the images.
- Foster a safe space for sharing by reminding students that there are no right or wrong answers, just different perspectives.
Learn
Get ready to travel back in time with "President's Day" by Anne Rockwell. In this story, we'll join Mrs. Madoff's class as they learn about the lives of famous leaders like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. As we read, let's think about what made these presidents such great leaders and how their actions still inspire us today.
Interactive Engagement
- As we read about George Washington, think about a time when you had to make a decision for a group. What did you consider, and why do you think Washington was respected as a leader?
- When you hear about Abraham Lincoln's actions, try to imagine how it felt to be in his shoes. What challenges did he face, and how might you have felt if you were him?
- Pause and turn to a partner to discuss: What is one way the students in Mrs. Madoff's class are learning about leadership through their play?
- As the class prepares for the election, think about a quality you admire in a leader. Why is this quality important, and how can it help solve problems?
- Notice how the students work together during the play. What do you think makes their teamwork successful, and how can we apply this to our own classroom?
Teacher Tips
- Pause at key moments in the story to allow students to discuss their thoughts with a partner, fostering peer interaction and deeper understanding.
- Use expressive voices and gestures to bring characters to life, helping students connect emotionally with the story.
- Encourage students to identify the beginning, middle, and end of the story to better understand the narrative structure and the development of leadership themes.
Ask
Now that we've finished our Follow 'President's Day,' let's take a moment to think about the qualities that made George Washington and Abraham Lincoln such effective leaders. How can we use these qualities to make a positive difference in our own lives?
Discussion Questions
- Think about a time when you had to be a leader in your own life. What did it feel like, and how did you try to help others around you?
- How do you think George Washington and Abraham Lincoln might have felt when faced with tough decisions? What can we learn from their bravery and wisdom?
- Reflecting on the class play, what are some ways the characters in the book showed teamwork and respect? How can we bring these qualities into our classroom every day?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to share personal stories of leadership, emphasizing that leadership can happen in many forms and everyone has the potential to lead.
- Facilitate a discussion where students can explore the feelings of historical figures, helping them to empathize and connect emotionally with the leaders' experiences.
- Create a safe and open environment for students to express their thoughts on teamwork and respect, highlighting diverse perspectives and encouraging appreciation of each other's ideas.
Navigate
Leadership Qualities Showcase
This activity engages students in understanding and reflecting on the leadership qualities of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. By taking part in a collaborative decision-making process, students will examine how these presidents' qualities helped them address national issues. This mirrors the democratic process highlighted in 'President's Day' and emphasizes the importance of leadership and historical significance.
| Materials |
|
| Planning |
|
| Implementation |
|
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to think about everyday situations where they can practice these leadership qualities.
- Facilitate the group discussions by asking guiding questions such as, 'Why is honesty important in leadership?' or 'How does courage help a leader make difficult decisions?'.
- Be prepared to assist groups in developing their scenarios if they struggle to come up with ideas.
Share
Guide your students to think back on today's Follow 'President's Day.' Encourage them to connect the qualities of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln with their own experiences, celebrating the growth they have shown in understanding leadership and teamwork.
Reflection Questions
- What is one important quality you learned about George Washington or Abraham Lincoln that you think is helpful in solving problems or working with others?
- Can you share a moment from our lesson when you felt inspired by a leader's actions, and how might you use this inspiration in your own life?
- Reflecting on what we discussed today, how do you feel about being a leader in your class or at home, and what new ideas do you have about leadership?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to pair up or form small groups to share their reflections, allowing them to hear different perspectives.
- Offer students the choice to write, draw, or speak about their insights, catering to diverse expression styles.
- As students share, highlight any connections you notice between their ideas, reinforcing the lesson's themes and their relevance to everyday life.
UDL Strategies
Representation
- Use visual aids such as pictures and short video clips of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to provide historical context and highlight their leadership qualities.
- Create a simple graphic organizer or mind map to visually outline the leadership qualities discussed, using icons or illustrations to represent each quality.
- Provide an audio version of the leadership qualities cards for students who benefit from auditory learning, ensuring they can hear descriptions and examples of each quality.
Action & Expression
- Allow students to present their group's chosen quality and scenario through various formats such as a skit, a simple poster, or a digital presentation using tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides.
- Provide an option for students to write a short journal entry or draw a comic strip illustrating how they would apply one of the leadership qualities in a real-world situation.
- Offer a role-playing activity where students can act out their scenarios in front of the class, encouraging them to use props or costumes to enhance their presentation and understanding.
Engagement
- Incorporate a story-telling element where students hear a short, engaging story about a significant event in Washington's or Lincoln's presidency that showcases their leadership qualities.
- Gamify the group discussions by turning the selection of leadership qualities into a friendly competition, where groups can earn points for insightful choices and creative scenarios.
- Encourage peer-to-peer teaching by having students share personal stories or examples of leadership from their own experiences or community, fostering a connection to the material.
Assessment Criteria
Formative Assessment
- During group discussions, observe students as they choose leadership qualities. Look for evidence of understanding as they discuss how these qualities helped Washington and Lincoln address national issues. Note if students provide historical examples and if they can articulate why certain qualities are important.
- As students work on their scenarios, conduct brief check-ins to ask them to explain their chosen leadership quality and scenario. Look for their ability to justify their choice and relate it to historical leaders, demonstrating understanding and reasoning.
Summative Assessment
- Have each group present their scenario to the class. Evaluate based on how well they demonstrate understanding of the leadership quality and its impact on problem-solving, as well as the creativity and clarity of their scenario. Provide feedback focused on the depth of understanding and ability to communicate ideas.
- Ask students to complete a reflective journal entry where they describe two leadership qualities they learned about and explain how these qualities can be applied in their own lives. Assess based on the ability to connect historical examples to personal experiences and insights gained from the activity.
×