At this time of the year, we are trying to pull out all the stops in our upper elementary classrooms. Students are becoming antsy, anxious, bored, you name it. This is why making connections between what we are learning and current holidays is important. It helps break up the monotony and keeps things relevant. Let’s talk about a few easy to implement Presidents Day Activities we can use to engage our upper elementary students.
1. Presidents Research
Having students research a president is always a great activity to integrate into the week of Presidents’ Day. Research covers so many standards and is a lifetime skill students will use and need. I always take the opportunity to discuss with students what a reputable website is and what biases might sound like as they research.
I also like to give them an easy to use President research guide for their research. This helps students keeps the research concise and everyone’s research cohesive.
2. Vocabulary
My school always had a vocabulary book we worked from, but I really found it beneficial to introduce words related to current holidays or events.
I like to choose words they may not have heard before or have heard but may not know the definition of.
I would vary the way the word were introduced. Sometimes, we would introduce the words daily. Other times, we would introduce them boot camp style in one day and integrate the work through centers.
Implementing:
- Give students the meaning of these new words and discuss them.
- Then, show them how to search for synonyms and antonyms using a dictionary or online resources.
- Next, help them identify when to use the words by creating brainstorming webs.
- Finally, have them create sentences and illustrations related to the words.
- Once students are finished, have them share their sentences and illustrations with a partner.
- Assess their understanding with a quick quiz.
3. Just for Fun Presidents Day Activities
I love the opportunity to allow for some just for fun brain break activities.
One of these activities is having students find a fun or funny fact about a president. Students write the fun or funny fact they found on an index card or in the back of their social studies notebook. When we have a moment or need a brain break, I call on several students to read the fun fact they found. Students always get a kick learning some of these interesting facts about the presidents.
Another fun activity I like to offer students is Presidents’ Day themed puzzles. They are so versatile and fun.
Ways to incorporate puzzles:
- early finishers activities
- brain break activities
- indoor recess competition activities
- substitute activities when I’ve had to take a day off
4. Read Alouds
Although I never participated in 180 books because it just didn’t seem to fit into our departmentalized schedule, I did take every opportunity to share a relevant read aloud whenever I could.
Most people tend to think of read alouds and picture books as a primary grade activity. I made it my mission to find picture books that were engaging for upper elementary students. My 4th and 5th grade students really enjoyed them.
There are several just for fun as well as factual Presidents’ Day picture books that are engaging to share with upper elementary students.
Hopefully this short list of Presidents Day activities helps you integrate the holiday into your curriculum without any overwhelm.
