Presidents' Day

We have learned so much this week about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and have read some good books about both presidents.  We even made a lapbook (I know, it's a shocker!)  We read George Did It!  A very good book about George Washington.  We read Abe Lincoln - The Boy Who Loved Books, Honest Abe, and A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln.    Here are pictures of our lapbooks:

The insides were about President's Day in general or minit books about both presidents. 

These are components Alex did, but Nicolas did not.  The top one lists some things America does to celebrate Presidents' Day and the bottom pocket contains a short report on what he would do if he were president. 

First he would stop the war in Iraq.  Then he would make part of Mexico the US and put N. and S. Dakotas together so that we wouldn't have to change the flag.  I'm not sure what prompted him to want part of Mexico the US except one comment he made "...so Texas wouldn't be lonely".  It's funny the things and 8 year old boys mind thinks up.

Some famous quotes by or about presidents.

We taped on a top flap that had information about  Lincoln on one side and Washington on the other.

We find George Washington's name in Washington state, Washington DC, the penny, the $1 bill, Mount Rushmore.  Also, we have Washington Street locally and Washington Elementary.

Lincoln's side:

Besides the obvious, $5 bill, Lincoln memorial, Mount Rushmore, we noticed some local mentions of Lincoln's name - like Lincoln Elementary just down the road from here, and Alex had heard us mention Lincoln Blvd at one time or another. 

I did mention to the boys that most cities will have a street named after these 2 president's and many others.

I would like to do a study of each president eventually, but may have to wait at least a year, until Nicolas gets a little more interested, unless I just do the study with Alex.  Hmmm..., should I make a lapbook of each president's life?  Something to think about and keep me busy for awhile!!