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the oval office. a large carved wood desk with american flag behind it and three floor to ceiling windows with heavy drapes.

An Accessible Look at the American Presidency

With the annual observance of Presidents Day, parents and teachers have a unique opportunity to capture their students' interests in a profession that evokes almost universal fascination: The Presidency of the United States. The DCMP has a wide assortment of accessible media titles to aid in planning for your Presidency-related lessons and activities. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Media

Abraham Lincoln: The Great Emancipator

Learn about Lincoln's childhood in Kentucky, his election, and views against slavery.

Grades 4-10

The Modern Presidency: Tools of Power

The American presidency has been transformed since the 1930s. Today, presidents are active in the legislative process, use media to appeal to the people, and exercise leadership over an "institutional presidency" with thousands of aides.

Grades 9-12

Grace for President

When Grace’s teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. She immediately starts off her political career as a candidate in the school’s mock election. Based on the children's book by Kelly DiPucchio.

Grades 4-6

More Videos on the Presidency

Cartoon of a girl holding a soccer ball and hair dryer with toys scattered on floor. Caption. A president has to lead by example.
10 minutes 9 seconds
Grade Level: 1 - 5
White duck behind a podium raises its wings up in front of a crowd at a political rally. Caption. Duck was officially in charge.
15 minutes 33 seconds
Grade Level: K - 4
Still image from: City Island: President Watt
City Island
Episode 1
3 minutes
Grade Level: 2 - 5
Cartoon of a woman holding a stack of history books smiles down at a child who looks back with arms shrugging up to the side. Caption. No girl president? Ever? Grace asked.
11 minutes 29 seconds
Grade Level: 4 - 6
Cartoon white duck at a decorated podium raises its wings up as if wringing its hands, hats flying in the air. Spanish caption. Los votantes habían decidido.
15 minutes 34 seconds
Grade Level: K - 4
Digital collage. John Adams' head superimposed on Christmas elf's body standing in front of Massachusetts State House. Speech bubble reads, "Go Sawks!" Caption. Female as narrator. John Adams was a grumpy, frumpy principled lawyer from Boston.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 5
1 minutes 12 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Digital collage with James Monroe wrapped in an American flag and a number 1 foam hand that reads, "U, S, A." Black and white image of crowd waving American flags in background. Caption. His presidency was called the Era of Good Feelings.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 4
1 minutes 14 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Digital collage. Superimposed heads of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson on the bodies of 2 men with arms around each other. Text overlay reads, "B, F, Fs 4 eva." Caption. His best friend was Thomas Jefferson.
60-Second Presidents
Episode 2
1 minutes 11 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Painting of men creating the U, S Constitution. Some are standing, others are seated, and 1 sits at a table partially covered in papers with a book, inkwell, and quill pen on the other side. Caption. And how they handled those concerns.
Constitution Hall Pass
Episode 2
21 minutes 50 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 10
Painting of George Washington with a white powdered wig and wearing a black colonial suit standing behind a desk as 1 man signs a paper and several men in powdered wigs look on. Caption. The Convention decided the nation.
Our Presidents In America's History
Episode 1
13 minutes 52 seconds
Grade Level: 5 - 12

PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA

William McKinley was the first president to campaign by telephone.

Barack Obama collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comic books.

Grover Cleveland personally answered the White House phone.

George Washington was the only president who did not represent a political party.

NAMES OF PRESIDENTS' DOGS

George Washington: Sweet Lips

James Garfield: Veto

John F. Kennedy: Macaroni

Richard Nixon: Checkers

George W. Bush: Barney

Barack Obama: Bo and Sunny

Joe Biden: Champ and Major


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