Domain:
History & Culture
Competency:
Explore events and leaders
🎂
2-3 year olds
⏰
15 to 20 minutes min
Lesson Rating
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Learning Objective
Children will learn to recognize the role of a president as someone who leads and helps others.
Learning Resource Synopsis
This Little President: A Presidential Primer by Joan Holub is a vibrant board book introducing young readers to the history of U.S. Presidents. In a simple, rhyming format, it highlights key facts about ten memorable presidents, offering insights into their roles in leading the country and ensuring the safety and happiness of all fifty states. The book is designed to engage young children with bright illustrations and straightforward language that introduces leadership and White House history. On the final page, it features all forty-five presidents, providing a comprehensive overview in a format accessible to the youngest patriots. This educational tool is perfect for introducing children to important leadership concepts in an age-appropriate way.
Extended Learning Resources
| Resource & Author | Publication Info | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Little Book of Presidential Elections | Published by Scholastic | This book offers simple explanations and colorful illustrations to help young readers understand the basics of presidential elections and the importance of voting. |
| National Geographic Kids: Presidents | Published by National Geographic Kids | This educational resource provides young learners with fascinating facts and engaging visuals about the lives and achievements of U.S. Presidents. |
Vocabulary List
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Go | Move, move. | The president helps things go smoothly for everyone. |
| Help | Give a hand, make it better. | The president helps the country stay happy. |
| Hat | Thing you wear on your head. | Look, the president wears a funny hat sometimes. |
Prompt
Essential Question: "Who helps us every day?"
Today, we're going to learn about special people who help us every day by leading and taking care of us. Let's think about how someone like a president can be a helper and a leader for everyone.
Anticipatory Set
- Show a picture of a president or a flag, and say, 'Look, who helps us?'.
- Point to a pretend badge or hat and say, 'Touch the badge. Leaders wear special things.'.
- Together, wave your hand and say, 'Hello, leader.'.
Teacher Tips
- Use a calm and friendly voice to create a welcoming space.
- Encourage children to join in at their own pace, and offer gentle smiles and nods to support participation.
- Keep the activity short and focused, using simple words and actions to maintain engagement.
Learn
Let's explore 'This Little President: A Presidential Primer' by Joan Holub. We'll meet some important leaders who help take care of everyone.
Interactive Engagement
- Point to the hat. Who wears it?
- Tap the page. Say 'President.'.
- Wave like a leader. Can you wave?
- Listen. 'Tap tap'. Who's there?
- Point to the flag. Let's say, 'Flag.'.
Teacher Tips
- Use big gestures and point clearly to pictures.
- Repeat key words like 'president' and 'leader'.
- Encourage imitation by waving and tapping together.
Ask
Now that we've read about some presidents, let's think about how they help us and who helps you every day.
Discussion Questions
- Who helps you feel happy?
- Can you show a big smile like a helper?
- What do you like about helpers?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage kids to use facial expressions or gestures to show how they feel about helpers.
- Invite children to think about someone who helps them at home or in school, like a parent or teacher.
- Allow children to share their thoughts through pointing or simple phrases, respecting different comfort levels.
Navigate
Little Leaders: Presidential Helpers Parade
This activity engages children in understanding the role of a president as a leader and helper through imaginative play. Inspired by 'This Little President: A Presidential Primer,' children will explore the concept of leadership by participating in a pretend parade and reflecting on community helpers. The activity emphasizes leadership, community roles, and reflection, echoing the book's themes of leadership and patriotism.
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Teacher Tips
- Encourage expressive communication during speeches to build confidence.
- Facilitate peer support by suggesting children clap or cheer for each other's speeches.
- Use simple language and relatable examples to explain leadership concepts to ensure understanding.
- Be flexible with the parade, allowing children to express themselves creatively in how they wave and march.
Share
Let's think about the presidents we met in our story and how they help everyone, just like the special people who help us every day.
Reflection Questions
- Can you clap your hands if you liked learning about presidents?
- Show your happy face if you feel good about leaders.
- Point to someone who helps you, just like the presidents do.
Teacher Tips
- Encourage toddlers to use gestures, like clapping or pointing, to express their thoughts.
- Model a happy face or clapping hands to guide children in expressing their feelings.
- Acknowledge and celebrate every response, whether it's a gesture or a sound, to build confidence in their ability to share.
UDL Strategies
Representation
- Enhance visual aids by using large, colorful picture cards depicting presidents and community helpers, ensuring they are easily visible to young children.
- Integrate auditory elements by playing brief, age-appropriate audio clips of speeches, ensuring they are lively and engaging for the children's attention spans.
- Incorporate tactile opportunities through hands-on props such as small flags and ribbon wands, allowing children to engage physically with the concept of leadership.
- Use role-play scenarios with simple, repetitive language to break down leadership concepts, ensuring clarity and comprehension for all children.
- Include interactive story elements where children can participate by pointing to or touching images of leaders, reinforcing the concepts being discussed.
Action & Expression
- Encourage children to give short, simple speeches with the toy microphone, using prompts or starter phrases to guide them in expressing leadership ideas.
- Offer a craft station where children can create their own leader badges using stickers and colorful paper, allowing them to express understanding through art.
- Facilitate the mock parade by guiding children in rhythmic movements or simple chants, helping them embody leadership roles through physical expression.
- For non-verbal children, provide a set of picture cards depicting leadership actions or helpers, allowing them to select and show their understanding visually.
Engagement
- Start the activity with a lively puppet show featuring a puppet acting as a president, capturing children's attention and setting a playful tone.
- Allow children to choose their roles in the parade, such as 'flag bearer' or 'speech giver,' fostering a sense of ownership and engagement.
- Introduce a 'mystery leader' element where children guess which community helper will be highlighted next, keeping them curious and attentive.
- Create a positive and inclusive atmosphere by frequently acknowledging and praising each child's participation, encouraging continued involvement.
Assessment Criteria
Formative Assessment
- During the pretend speech portion, observe each child's ability to articulate a kind or helpful message. Look for signs of understanding leadership, such as using clear language, engaging with the audience through eye contact or gestures, and staying on topic. Note if they express ideas that reflect the role of a president as a leader and helper.
- During circle time, listen as children share who helps them in their community and note their ability to connect personal experiences with community roles. Look for their ability to name specific people or roles, describe their contributions, and relate these to the concept of leadership.
Summative Assessment
- Ask each child to draw a picture of someone in their community who helps them, and dictate a sentence describing that person's role. Assess if the drawing clearly depicts a community helper, if the description accurately reflects the person's role, and if the child shows understanding of leadership as helping others.
- Facilitate a role-playing scenario where children act out a community helper's role, such as a police officer or a volunteer. Evaluate their ability to accurately portray the actions, communicate the purpose of the role, and demonstrate understanding of how the role contributes to the community.
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