Engaging Activities To Teach About Presidents Day in Elementary

Presidents Day is quickly approaching!

As you likely know, this is a national holiday celebrated in the United States to commemorate the birthdays of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and this year it falls on February 20, 2023. 

presidents day

As teachers, this is the perfect time to teach about the history of the United States and the role of the President! 

Here are some simple and fun ideas to help you celebrate Presidents Day in your elementary classroom:

  1. Create a timeline: Create a timeline with your students of the Presidents of the United States, starting with George Washington and ending with the current President. This activity will help students learn about the different Presidents and the order in which they served. With younger students, it may be best to stick with only a handful of notable presidents throughout the years so it’s a little less overwhelming. 
  2. Read some books about presidents: Pick a few Presidents to focus on and read picture books about them to your class. You can then discuss with your students who the president is and what they did that was so important. 
  3. Role-play: Have students take on the role of Presidents, such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or a current President. You can pair them up and have them teach each other what their president did and why it was an important part of American history. 
  4. Celebrate with food: Research and make dishes from the Presidents’ favorite foods. For example, George Washington was known to enjoy hoecakes, and Abraham Lincoln loved apples. This activity is a fun and interactive way for students to learn about the Presidents and their tastes. Plus, who doesn’t love a yummy treat? 
  5. Visit a virtual museum: Can’t take a field trip? No problem! Most museums offer virtual tours and you can create a whole virtual field trip out of it. This is a great visual to help students learn more about the holiday and the Presidents of the United States.

presidents day activities

If you’re looking for some easy, fun, low-prep resources, I have you covered! 

Presidents Day Activities Reading Comprehension Passages – Word Search Writing

president's day activities

This  resource is an informative reading comprehension packet with 60 pages of information to use for this holiday for upper elementary students (for some 3rd graders, 4th grade, and some 5th grades). There are writing activities, reading comprehension checks, and a word search. The informational (non-fiction) book will help your students understand how it came into being. 

This resource will also give your students facts about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Your students will enjoy this  60-page unit that contains fun facts about presidents, worksheets, timelines, comprehension checks, fix-it sentences, word search vocabulary, Presidential word problems, writing activities, and so much more! 

Presidents Day Activities Reading Comprehension Close Reading

president's day

These  activities will teach your first and second grade students about this holiday. Reading comprehension is made easy with these close reading activities.  They go along with the informational reader which has many real photos. Students have their own reader to use for many of the activities. Your students will love learning about the holiday, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Many skills are included along with posters and anchor chart pieces.

Presidents Day Scrambled Sentences | Sight Words Building Sentences

president's day

Sight Word Scrambled Sentences or build – a – sentences make a perfect center for Presidents Day or any “patriotic” theme you are teaching! These are Sight Word Scrambled Sentences for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades! 

Want more presidential activities? Check out my TpT store here! 

By using these activities, you can make this holiday a memorable and educational event for your students!

For more patriotic activities, check out my post here! 

 

presidents day activities

 

Flag Day Activities For Kids

It’s June so that means Flag Day is right around the corner. Bring out those patriotic colors and American flag decor!  This is a great time to get patriotic in your classroom and teach your students everything there is to know about this holiday. 

flag day
American preschool students and teacher holding a USA flag

What is the official Flag Day? 

First established in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, this holiday is celebrated on June 14th every year. This comes 100 years after a resolution was passed that described the flag’s appearance from the number of stripes to the number of stars. 

flag day activities

What is Flag Day celebrated for? 

Similar to any patriotic holiday, Flag Day celebrates our country and its rich history. It is a day for us to come together as a nation to honor our national flag. Traditionally, we celebrate this holiday with parades, ceremonies, and picnics. It’s a day to celebrate your country and show some pride! 

Flag Day Activities For Kids

If you’re looking for Flag Day ideas for school, you’re in the right place. I love doing these in the classroom because Flag Day activities teach your students about the history of this traditional holiday while also celebrating our country. 

flag day activities pin image

I created some activities that are great for various grades in elementary. Given their patriotic nature, they can also be used for Independence Day, Labor Day, Flag Day, Constitution Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Presidents Day. 

Pledge of Allegiance Activities Resource for Younger Students

flag day pledge of allegiance activities

What better way to celebrate a day all about the flag  than with the pledge? This easy-to-use resource can be used in your distance learning and will help your Kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd-grade students to understand the Pledge of Allegiance! 

Printables included are great for back-to-school or any patriotic holiday. Labor Day, Constitution Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Presidents Day, 9/11, or anytime you are talking about the American flag. Students have FUN with this packet!

History of the Pledge of Allegiance Worksheets and Activities

 

Do your students know why we say the pledge? Or that more than 1 pledge existed until 1923? Do they know why we place our hands over our hearts?

This Pledge of Allegiance Activities resource includes an information book with activities that are perfect for your 3rd, 4th, and even 5th graders. The resource is great to use during back-to-school or any other patriotic holiday

So, the worksheets included in this resource include Interactive Timeline, Interactive Vocabulary and Comprehension book, Word Search, Writing Activities, Pledge Poster, and so much more. 

flag day history of the pledge activities

Looking for a FREE resource you can use to celebrate? 

 

Check out this I See The Flag Emergent Reader resource. This U.S. flag reader is easy to use, is an ink-saver, and students love reading it over and over! Enhance your small group reading and use in Social Studies to learn about different places that display the flag with I See the Flag. Perfect for your lessons about the community.

If you want even more patriotic fun, make sure to check out my TpT shop for more like this! You’ll find engaging resources for Memorial Day. Labor Day, American symbols, Constitution Day, and even Patriotic Bingo! 

I hope you love these resources to celebrate Flag Day at school! What are your favorite activities for this holiday? Let me know in the comments!

flag day pin image