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What contributions did George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln & Theodore Roosevelt make to improve the lives of Americans?
Aligned to Grade 2 Virginia History SOL: 2.11

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Choose one additional activity to complete your road trip.  Submit your work when completed to earn your South Dakota Badge

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Stop #5-Choose an activity and a President

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Stop #5-Choose an activity and a President

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Choose one activity and one president to complete below. Submit your work when completed.

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Explore the options below and choose one.

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Time to make a pitstop. Complete the activity below before proceeding.

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Begin your road trip by exploring the resources on the right to learn more about Mount Rushmore.

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Flat Stanley's The Mount Rushmore Calamity

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Flat Stanley's The Mount Rushmore Calamity

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Education Place Activity: Presidential Powers

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Students will be able to describe presidential powers and responsibilities by creating a detailed help-wanted ad for the job of United States President.

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PBS KIDS You Choose is a kid-friendly website introducing children ages 6-8 to relevant, non-partisan democracy-related topics through interactive exploration and video.

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virtual tour - george washington's mount vernon

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Virtual Tour - George Washington's Mount Vernon

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Rock 'n' Roll Presidents
on Mount Rushmore

Overview

Over seventy three years ago a historian, named Doane Robinson, had a dream to build a gigantic monument in his home state of South Dakota. Robinson came upon Gutzon Borglum, a sculptor, who was ready to take on the challenge. Borglum and Robinson wanted the monument to represent the ideals of our great American nation.

"The Glory of Democracy" was the theme for this great monument. Robinson and Borglum chose four American presidents to showcase the concept on which the United States was founded." Man has a right to be free and to be happy."

The National Park Service wants to celebrate the anniversary of an American monument, Mt. Rushmore. The Park Service has asked you to provide a brochure to visitors explaining what the monument means to America. In this activity you will be learning about Mt. Rushmore and four United States presidents who made a big difference in the lives of all Americans.

You and your classmates will work in groups to gather information about the sculptor Gutzon Borglum and the four presidents he carved in the South Dakota mountain. After you gather the information about this national monument, you and the members of your group will create a Rock 'n' Roll President brochure.

Step 1
Brainstorm all the things you know about the following:

Do you know any presidents?

What are they famous for?

What is South Dakota?

What is a sculpture?

What is Mt. Rushmore?

As a class have your teacher record your answers or you can record your own answers on a sheet of paper. Display your thoughts somewhere in the room. Before you move on to Step 2 go to this first web site and discover where South Dakota is located in the United States. Can you find South Dakota on this map of the United States? On your sheet write the states that border South Dakota.

United States Map Machine Atlas by National Geographic
http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/index.html?id=362&size=medium&left=-178.22&bottom=18.93&right=-65&top=71.35

Step 2
Go to the next web sites and answer these questions on a sheet of paper. Keep your answers in a safe place or display them in the classroom with your brainstorming responses. You will need this information later.

Who are the four presidents carved into the mountain?

Who carved them and how long did it take to finish?

About how tall are the presidents' faces?

Photos of Mount Rushmore
http://usparks.about.com/cs/photographs/l/blphotorushmore.htm

The Official Mount Rushmore Homepage
(Tough to read for 2nd grade, but can still be used.)
http://www.nps.gov/moru/

Step 3
Each member of your group should pick a president from the monument to research. Below you will find the Internet sites you will need. Go to the site about your president. There are additional books and materials listed below that you may want to use when the computer is not available.

(The following web sites contain text above 2nd grade reading levels. Students may need assistance when reading them.)

About George Washington
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/glimpse/presidents/html/gw1.html
About Thomas Jefferson
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/glimpse/presidents/html/tj3.html

About Abraham Lincoln
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/glimpse/presidents/html/al16.html

About Theodore Roosevelt
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/glimpse/presidents/html/tr26.html

Record your notes on paper and draw pictures as needed.

Step 4
After you have gathered all the information you need, meet with your group and share what you have learned. Listen to what the other group members have learned too. It is now time to begin creating your page for the brochure. Be sure to work with others in your group so that each page in the brochure has the same look.

Step 5
Your group will share their finished product with the class.

Maps of the United States and South DakotaGeorge Washington: A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin
Books:
(Scholastic)
George Washington: Leader of a New Nation by Mary Pope Osborne
(Dial)
George Washington's Breakfast by Jean Fritz
(Coward-McCann)
George Washington's Mother by Jean Fritz
(Grosset & Dunlap)
Thomas Jefferson: A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin
(Scholastic)
A Picture Book of Thomas Jefferson by David A. Adler
(Holiday House)
Thomas Jefferson: The Revolutionary Aristocrat by Milton Meltzer
(Franklin Watts)
Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman
(Clarion)
Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner
(Random House)
Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln: The Story of the Gettysburg Address
by Jean Fritz (Grosset & Dunlap)
Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt! By Jean Fritz and Mike Wimmer
(Putman)
Theodore Roosevelt and His America by Milton Meltzer
(Franklin Watts)
The Story of the Rough Riders by Zachary Kent
(Children's Press)

You will be collecting a lot of information, so it is important that you keep it together in a safe place. Write down your big ideas, draw pictures, and print one page from a web site you visited. If your group has a folder or you have your own, that would be a great place to keep all your information and drawings.

You will be graded on:

Your participation in the group.

The page you create for the brochure based on:
How correct is the information?
Is the writing neat and easy to read?
Is the artwork complete and colorful?

Each group will show their brochure and each student will share one 'cool' fact.

This gigantic mountain monument serves not only as a reminder of the four great presidents that served our country, but a picture of our true American spirit and our quest for the American dream. Would you like to visit Mt. Rushmore? What other national monuments do you know about?

What have you learned? What did you do well? Look at your brainstorming list, could you add information? Is there any information you don¹t need?

Looking back on this lesson what national monument would you create?

Teacher monitoring is essential for the success of this lesson. Non-readers will need support. More advanced students may enjoy the challenge.

Grade Level/Unit:

Grade 3 National Holiday Songs and Symbols

Lesson Purpose:

The purpose of this lesson is to have students serve as historians to research and develop their own ideas about Mt. Rushmore and the four presidents who helped build our nation.

Goals:
The student will:

Learn how to use the Internet to research information.

Discover new information about four American presidents.

Understand how large rock sculptures are created.

Create a presidential brochure.

Information Literacy Skills:
The student will:

Recognize that information can be found in many formats.

Identify new sources of information.

Retrieve data important to their needs.

Length of lesson:
The length of the lesson depends on how much you want to cover. Helping second graders gather information can be very time consuming, but this lesson was developed to be driven by the students. Allow for six, 45 to 60 minute sessions.

Standards:

Draft H/SS Standards Grade 2: Students draw on folklore and biographies to describe people who make a difference.
Draft H/SS Standards Grade 3: Students identify the nation's heroes who took the risk of new and controversial ideas.

Language Arts Standards Grade 2 & 3 Reading: Students read and understand grade level appropriate material. They draw on a variety of comprehension strategies as needed, including generating and responding to essential questions, making predictions, and comparing information from several sources. Writing Applications: Students write compositions that describe and explain familiar objects, events, and experiences including descriptions that use concrete sensory details to present and support unified impressions of people, places, things, or experiences.

Resources or materials needed:

Easy to read books about President Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and T. Roosevelt. (Refer to the resource section) United States maps, and maps of South Dakota.

Background information that might be helpful:

Be sure to collect informational brochures, to be used as examples, prior to beginning the lesson. Your local automobile club and travel agencies are excellent sources. Although visiting websites can be time consuming, it may be helpful to visit the additional Washington and Jefferson sites and print out necessary information to be used as additional resources. (See above resources)

Lesson sequence:

Introducing and the first brainstorming session can be done as a whole group. After that the class should be divided into teams of four. Each member of the group selects one of the four presidents for their part of the brochure. Teams gather information via the Internet or books provided. Finally, teams decide on how the brochure will be put together and each student makes his/her page.

Name: Debbie Sawyer

School/Dist: Westwood Elementary, Poway Unified School District

E-mail: dsawyer@sdcoe.k12.ca.us

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Rock 'n' Roll Presidents on Mount Rushmore Overview Over seventy three years ago a historian, named Doane Robinson, had a dream to build a gigantic monument in his home state of South Dakota. Robinson came upon Gutzon Borglum, a sculptor, who was ready to take on the challenge.

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U.S. Presidents: Matching Game V

How many of our presidents can you name? Challenge your middle school student with this great series of match-up games, featuring U.S. presidents!

"One of my kiddos is super into trivia so this was great for him, plus the others just got to learn random interesting facts."

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U.S. Presidents: Matching Game V How many of our presidents can you name? Challenge your middle school student with this great series of match-up games, featuring U.S. presidents! "One of my kiddos is super into trivia so this was great for him, plus the others just got to learn random interesting facts."

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Carry a Big Stick: The Uncommon Heroism of Theodore Roosevelt by George Grant is part of the Leaders in Action Series published by Cumberland House.

Courage, humor, a love of family, faith, and "the Strenuous Life" are just a few of the characteristics that define Theodore Roosevelt in this easy-to-read biography.

Theodore Roosevelt was not a slacker. He served "as a New York state legislator, the under-secretary of the navy, police commissioner for the city of New York, U.S. civil service commissioner, the governor of the state of New York, the vice-president under William McKinley, a colonel in the U.S. Army, and two terms as the president of the United States" - all before he was 50. Meanwhile, he also ran a cattle ranch in the Dakota Territories, was an editor, reporter, writer, taxidermist, astronomer... and the list goes on.

He held wide and varied interests, read prodigiously, and accomplished many big things; but it was his faith lived out in actions that defined the man.

The most dangerous form of sentimental debauch is to give expression to good wishes on behalf of virtue while you do nothing about it. Justice is not merely words. It is to be translated into acts.

Each book in the Leaders in Action series is structured by breaking the book into three parts covering the life, the character, and the legacy of the individual. A summary of the individual's ideas on leadership are listed in the back. Chronological timetables, bibliographies, and extensive footnotes are also included.

Theodore Roosevelt thought young people should have heroes. This was his impetus in authoring Hero Tales from American History with Henry Cabot Lodge. His own greatest hero was his father, who invested himself in young Theodore, teaching him that "all leaders must first be led," and that "every hero must have his own heroes." And so it was that he became a hero for those who followed.

Every great nation owes to the men whose lives have formed part of its greatness not merely the material effect of what they did, not merely the laws they placed upon the statute books or the victories they won over armed foes, but also the immense but indefinable moral influence produced by their deeds and words themselves upon the national character.

Suggestions

The Leaders in Action series lends itself well to notebooking.

After reading the biography in part one, give a written narration of the main points. What stands out to you? What traits would you, as a student, emulate? Where do you think Theodore Roosevelt could have made better decisions?

Make a notebook page for each character trait discussed in part two, listing examples given in the book. Add a few of your own examples. Where do you see this trait in your own life? Where can you do better? Is this a character trait you aspire to? Why or why not?

Summarize the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt. If you had to boil down this legacy to one sentence, what would it be?

Copy each leadership quote (perhaps only a few a day when you start reading the book). Which ones stand out to you?

Ready to learn more? Follow up with one of the books listed in the bibliography.

Theodore Roosevelt wrote definitive books of his own. Many are in the public domain. Read another.

Additional Resources

Theodore Roosevelt
Biography at WhiteHouse.gov.

Books Written by Theodore Roosevelt
Most can be found in the public domain.

14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: Character Sketch
Helps for writing a character sketch of Theodore Roosevelt.

Theodore Roosevelt
Official White House portrait for notebook.

Drawing & Writing Notebooking Paper {Free Download}
Room at the top for illustrations and room at the bottom for copywork, narrations, or wrapping up.

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Review: Carry a Big Stick & Go-Alongs

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Carry a Big Stick: The Uncommon Heroism of Theodore Roosevelt by George Grant is part of the Leaders in Action Series published by Cumberland House. Courage, humor, a love of family, faith, and "the Strenuous Life" are just a few of the characteristics that define Theodore Roosevelt in this easy-to-read biography.

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Read the current chapter online: "Stories About Jefferson" Thomas Jefferson was a learned man chiefly responsible for crafting the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States.
Suggestions

Map the following (you'll find mapping resources below):

Read the Declaration of Independence.

Older students can summarize in their own words six of the many points Jefferson used to establish the facts of tyranny in the Declaration.

Copy the phrase "thank you" in Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, and Italian.

Explain how Jefferson learned so much.

Copywork: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

View John Trumbull's famous painting of the five-member drafting committee of which Jefferson was a member presenting the Declaration of Independence to Congress.

Jefferson, like Washington, wrote a few rules to live by which he titled "A Decalogue of Canons for observation in practical life." Copy the ten rules and tell someone in your own words what each one means.

More about Thomas Jefferson from the Book of Knowledge:

Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States, was born in 1743, near Charlottesville, Virginia. He received very little schooling as a boy, and became, like Washington, a surveyor, enduring the hardships of pioneer life. He was so fond of books and learning that he prepared himself for college. Bashful, yet warmhearted and eager for information, it was not surprising that Jefferson made many friends for himself in the College of William and Mary, at Williamsburg, Virginia....

He studied law and began to practice, but his chief interest was in farming. From his father he had a large tract of land and he bought more.... All his life he was trying experiments in farming. He introduced better machinery, invented a plow, and brought many kinds of trees and plants from different countries to find if they would grow in the United States.

He was not to be allowed to remain on his plantations. Virginia and the nation had need of him. He served in the Virginia legislature, in the Continental Congress, where he wrote the Declaration of Independence, and as governor of Virginia. After the Revolution he served in Congress, and from 1784 to 1789 represented the country in France. After his return he was appointed Secretary of State by President Washington, but resigned in 1793. One of the reasons was private business, and the other the fact that he and Alexander Hamilton, also a member of Washington's cabinet, could not agree.

He was a candidate for president when Washington refused to accept a third term, but John Adams, of Massachusetts, was elected. It was the law then that the man who received next to the highest vote should become vice-president, and so Jefferson held that office for four years. In 1801 he became president, and served two terms. He might have been elected again, but, like Washington, refused the honor....

For the seventeen years following his retirement from office Jefferson lived at his home, Monticello, which became a resort for the great and noble minds in the country. But keeping open house to all who came ruined Jefferson financially. To his great grief, he was forced to sell his library, which he had been collecting for over fifty years. The money thus obtained was but a temporary relief. Some friends heard of his difficulties and raised the sum of $18,000. Jefferson was greatly touched by this proof of the loyalty and affection of his countrymen, but he did not live long to enjoy the relief thus given him. He died July 4, 1826.

Few men of his time were interested in so many things. He loved mathematics, music and botany, knew several languages, and was a skillful architect. He was a fine shot and a good rider. More than all else, Thomas Jefferson believed that the people - all the people, not just a few at the top - should rule themselves.

"Some American Statesmen," The Book of Knowledge

Further Investigation

Thomas Jefferson
Biography at WhiteHouse.gov.

Thomas Jefferson, A Brief Biography
From the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.

Timeline of Thomas Jefferson
Simple timeline at EnchantedLearning.com.

Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776
EyewitnesstoHistory.com account.

The Story Surrounding Jefferson and the Declaration
From Monticello.

Jefferson's Rough Draft of the Declaration
From Monticello.

"Attending to My Farm"
A day in the life of Thomas Jefferson from Monticello.

Thomas Jefferson, Farmer
A brief look at his farming interest from The Corporation for Jefferson's Poplar Forest.

Jefferson's Inventions
Thomas Jefferson was quite an inventor as this list from the University of Virginia shows!

Jefferson's Macaroni Machine
He may have helped popularize macaroni and cheese! View Jefferson's pasta machine at the Library of Congress.

Activities

Virginia Map/Quiz Printout
At EnchantedLearning.com.

Interactive Map Maker {Free}
Make your own maps.

Explore Monticello
Take a virtual interactive tour of the plantation and house.

Jefferson's Cabinet
Explore Jefferson's office at Monticello.org - a great case for notebooking:

In the performance of his everyday tasks, Thomas Jefferson meticulously recorded his observations, from documenting the first appearance of the peas in his vegetable garden and the number of bricks that it would take to build his garden pavilion to calculating the provisions allotted to his slaves. Jefferson's daily habit of recording-keeping gave expression to his passion for scientific inquiry.

Thomas Jefferson's Library: Connecting the Books to the Life
Library of Congress interactive exploring the books in Thomas Jefferson's library and their relation to his roles.

Join the Signers
Print a copy of the Declaration of Independence - signed with your own signature added!

Thomas Jefferson Macaroni and Cheese
Recipe adapted for modern cooks at The History Chef!

Books

Meet Thomas Jefferson by Marvin Barrett
Landmark title that provides an introduction to Jefferson for younger readers.

Exploring Monticello: A Guide for Young People
9-page download from Monticello.

"Thomas Jefferson"
Chapter from A First Book in American History also by Eggleston that includes narration prompts.

"The Birth of a Great Nation"
Chapter covering the Declaration of Independence from This Country of Ours by H.E. Marshall.

"Thomas Jefferson"
Section from Beacon Lights of History Volume XI focusing on Jefferson as a statesman. For older students.

Unit Studies & Lesson Plans

Interpreting a Primary Source Document Lesson Plan
Older students analyze Jefferson's letter to the overseer at his Poplar Forest retreat.

Printables & Notebooking Pages

United States Map
EduPlace.com map for locating Virginia.

Virginia Map
NationalMap.gov map for locating Charlottesville and Monticello.

Nickels
Coloring pages from the U.S. Mint.

The U.S. Nickle Coloring Page Printout
Featuring Thomas Jefferson at EnchantedLearning.com.

Thomas Jefferson
Coloring page from White House Kids.

Thomas Jefferson Coloring Page
For notebook from Crayola.

Thomas Jefferson Notebooking Pages
Simple pages for copywork, narrations, or wrapping up.

Enjoy the complete series:

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Read the current chapter online: "Stories About Jefferson" Thomas Jefferson was a learned man chiefly responsible for crafting the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States. Suggestions Map the following (you'll find mapping resources below): Virginia Charlottesville, Virginia (near where he was born) Monticello in Virginia Read the Declaration of...

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"Washington's Christmas Gift" "How Washington Got Out of a Trap" "Washington's Last Battle" This lesson will focus on Washington's military service and presidency. You may also wish to refer back to the introductory lesson, George Washington and the Cherry Tree, covering his boyhood and other basic facts.
Suggestions

Map the following (you'll find mapping resources below):

Find out who the Hessians were.

Tell the story of Washington's Christmas gift to the country.

Draw a picture of Washington's troops crossing the Delaware as described in the story. Compare your illustration with the famous painting, Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze (see below).

Learn more about Cornwallis.

Read more about the Battle of Princeton.

Find out how a cannon works.

The Revolutionary War spanned eight years. Create a timeline showing the major events. You'll find helps below.

More about George Washington from the Book of Knowledge:

[Washington's record as the commanding general in the American Revolution] made him the outstanding citizen and the loved leader of the new nation. In 1787 he was chosen to preside over the convention that framed the Constitution. The next year, without a single "nay," he was elected president, and another Revolutionary leader, John Adams, became vice-president.

President Washington's chief task was to make the new government work. The war had been fought to free the colonies; now the United States must become a living fact as well as a name.

Even in the beginning, the duties of the Executive Branch were more than one man could handle. To help him, the President set up departments - State, Treasury and War - the secretaries of which formed the first Cabinet.

The expenses of the Government had to be met. To do this taxes were laid, chiefly on foreign goods (tariffs). War had left the nation deeply in dept, and Congress approved paying the debt in full. In addition, all the debts of the states were taken over by the Federal Government, and a national bank was chartered....

In 1791 came the first severe test of the strength of the new Government. There was a revolt in western Pennsylvania against the collection of federal taxes on whiskey - the Whiskey Rebellion. Calling out a force of volunteers to put the revolt down, the President showed that the country's laws would be enforced and must be respected....

Washington refused to run for a third term. In 1797 he retired to his beloved Mount Vernon, where he spent the rest of his days. He died on December 14, 1799.

"The Presidents of the United States," The Book of Knowledge

Further Investigation

George Washington
Biography at WhiteHouse.gov.

American President: George Washington
Biography from the University of Virginia.

Timeline From Founding Through the American Revolution
At USHistory.org.

Ten Facts About George Washington and the Revolutionary War
From the Mount Vernon Ladies Association.

Washington's Crossing
The details from Washington Crossing Historic Park.

What's Wrong With This Painting
Discusses the details of Washington's crossing the Delaware River ... and compares them to the painting by Leutze.

The British Surrender at Yorktown, 1781
Account at EyewitnesstoHistory.com.

Collections Timeline
Essentially a timeline of the Revolutionary War from the American Revolution Center.

Ten Facts About Washington's Presidency
From the Mount Vernon Ladies Association.

Activities

New York Map/Quiz Printout
At EnchantedLearning.com.

New Jersey Map/Quiz Printout
At EnchantedLearning.com.

Interactive Map Maker {Free}
Make your own maps.

Animated Revolutionary War Maps
See the battles in action including the troop movements and other visuals. In particular, The Battles of Princeton and Trenton and The Siege of Yorktown.

Kids Portrait - George Washington: A National Treasure
Interactive from the Smithsonian using the painting by Gilbert Stuart to solve a mystery.

Interactive Portrait
Another interactive from the Smithsonian that explores the portrait of Washington.

Young George Washington's Adventures
Interactive from the National Park Service exploring Washington's early military career.

Virtual Mansion Tour
Tour Mount Vernon - from your couch!

Washington Cake
Not only historical, but also yummy!

Books

George Washington by d'Aulaire
One of our favorites from the d'Aulaire series of children's biographies.

Meet George Washington by Joan Heilbroner
A Landmark title and introduction to Washington's roles in the Revolutionary War and as President. Perfect for the young reader. Also available on Kindle.

"Washington in the Revolution"
Chapter from A First Book in American History also by Eggleston. Includes narration prompts. You'll also want to read the next chapter, " The Victory at Yorktown and Washington as President."

"The Darkest Hour: Trenton and Princeton"
Stories of these battles from This Country of Ours by H.E. Marshall. You'll also want to read " A Turning Point in the World's History" and " Washington: First in War, First in Peace."

Life of George Washington by M. L. Williamson
Readable while informative Christian Liberty Press biography edited by Michael McHugh. The original is in the public domain.

"George Washington"
Chapter fromBeacon Lights of History by John Lord. Excellent biography for older students.

Our American Holidays: Washington's Birthday {Free eBook}
Subtitled, Its History, Observance, Spirit, and Significance as Related in Prose and Verse, with a Selection from Washington's Speeches and Writings, contains many primary sources.

Washington's Farewell Address
Required reading for many older students and part ofAmerican Historical Documents.

Unit Studies & Lesson Plans

The Revolutionary War {Free Unit Study}
Everything you need to put together your own-sized Revolutionary War unit.

George Washington
17-page teacher's guide including student worksheets from the Smithsonian Institution uses the painting George Washington by Gilbert Stuart as a jumping off point to study the various aspects of Washington's life.

General George Washington
127-page download for older students from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts focusing on evaluation of Washington via primary source documents.

Printables & Notebooking Pages

United States Map
EduPlace.com map for locating New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. Can also be used to mark the Washington's march to Yorktown.

New York
NationalMap.gov map for notebook, helpful for locating Brooklyn.

New Jersey
NationalMap.gov map for notebook, helpful for locating Trenton, Princeton, and the Delaware River.

Virginia
NationalMap.gov map for notebook, helpful for locating Yorktown.

George Washington
Coloring page from White House Kids.

U.S. President George Washington
Coloring page from Crayola.

Washington Crossing the Delaware River Coloring Sheet
In the style of the painting from the Mount Vernon Ladies Association.

Washington at Princeton Coloring Sheet
In the style of the painting from the Mount Vernon Ladies Association.

George Washington Notebooking Pages
Simple pages for copywork, narrations, or wrapping up.

Enjoy the complete series:

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"Washington's Christmas Gift" "How Washington Got Out of a Trap" "Washington's Last Battle" This lesson will focus on Washington's military service and presidency. You may also wish to refer back to the introductory lesson, George Washington and the Cherry Tree, covering his boyhood and other basic facts.

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"Great scheme you have; hold to it," sculptor Gutzon Borglum telegrammed Doane Robinson, director of the South Dakota Historical Society. It was a simple plan, just the faces of a few heroes of the West sculpted into the Black Hills - Lewis and Clark, maybe a Sioux chief, and other men like them. It might bring tourists into the region. But by the time the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission was authorized on March 3, 1925, Borglum had a vision of his own.

Choosing the Subjects

Such a lofty mountain as Mount Rushmore was worthy of something more than just a state monument; it was worthy of something the whole country could appreciate. George Washington had to be on the mountain, unquestionably. Abraham Lincoln seemed another fitting choice. After some thought, Borglum chose Thomas Jefferson because of his connection with the Louisiana Purchase (of which South Dakota was a part). President Calvin Coolidge suggested adding Theodore Roosevelt to commemorate the National Park Service, and since Roosevelt was Borglum's hero, he readily agreed.

Carving the Mountain

By August 1927, all necessary approval had been granted. Borglum and his crew of 400 threw themselves into their work. They grew so skillful with the use of dynamite as they progressed that they could utilize it in delicate situations with amazing success, and without the loss of a single life. Slowly the four faces appeared. Washington was dedicated on July 4, 1930. Jefferson, after having to be blasted off and restarted, made his debut on August 30, 1936. Lincoln's ceremony followed on the 150 th anniversary of the Constitution, September 17, 1937. Finally, Roosevelt was dedicated on July 2, 1939.

Even after the dedications Borglum continued work on the sculptures. He wanted to depict the presidents down to the waist, but funding for such a massive undertaking was hard to come by during the Great Depression. Borglum died in March 1941, without seeing his monument completed. His son carried on for him, but Congress declared Mount Rushmore finished seven months later.

Yet Borglum probably wouldn't consider the project a failure. A thriving park has developed around the monument, and two million people visit it annually. It is undoubtedly one of the best-known attractions in the country.

Further Investigation

Old footage of the building of Mt. Rushmore.
(You may want to install an ad blocker before viewing.)

Mt. Rushmore Student Guide
Facts from the National Park Service.

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial
Basic information from Enchanted Learning.

Mt. Rushmore Timeline
From the National Park Service.

Mt. Rushmore Home Movies
Sculpting process and workers in action from the Borglum family.

President Coolidge's Speech at Mount Rushmore
Transcript of August 10, 1927, speech at cornerstone dedication.

President Roosevelt's Remarks at the Unveiling of the Head of Thomas Jefferson
Transcript of August 30, 1936.

Caring for a Monumental Sculpture
What it takes to keep it up. From The National Park Service.

Mt. Rushmore Deconstructed
Interesting facts in this fast-paced video.
(You may want to install an ad blocker before viewing.)

Activities

Google Map Mt. Rushmore
View Mt. Rushmore from the air. You can also tour the site using the map tools.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial Virtual Tour
Great interactive!

Mount Rushmore
Activity sheet download.

Mt. Rushmore Paper Cutouts
Assemble your own with this printout at PaperToys.com.

Unit Studies & Lesson Plans

The Presidents of Mt. Rushmore
Core Knowledge lesson plan with a focus on the four presidents. Printables at the end would work well for a Mt. Rushmore notebook for younger students.

My Personal Mount Rushmore
Students apply their math skills as they learn about the presidents and their sculptures. From the U.S. Mint.

Mt. Rushmore as a Sculpture
Lesson plan from the National Park Service where students recreate the sculpture.

Printables & Notebooking Pages

South Dakota Map
For locating Mt. Rushmore.

Mt. Rushmore Coloring Page
For notebook at National Geographic.

Famous People Notebooking Pages {Free}
Free notebooking pages for each president at HomeschoolHelperOnline.com.

Mount Rushmore: A Unit Study
Simple pages for copywork, narrations, or wrapping up.

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"Great scheme you have; hold to it," sculptor Gutzon Borglum telegrammed Doane Robinson, director of the South Dakota Historical Society. It was a simple plan, just the faces of a few heroes of the West sculpted into the Black Hills -- Lewis and Clark, maybe a Sioux chief, and other men like them.

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Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in Hodgenville, Kentucky. His family roamed a bit throughout his childhood, first moving to Indiana and then to Illinois. Poverty was a constant antagonist, and from an early age Lincoln learned to work. Helping his father on the farm in remote areas did not give him many opportunities to pursue a formal education, but young Lincoln was not daunted by this. Instead, he borrowed every book that was available to him.

The skill of self-education came in handy as Lincoln grew older. He entered politics in 1832 with a run for the Illinois General Assembly, but lost and decided to take up law instead. He thoroughly absorbed the material in the law books that he was able to find and passed the bar in 1836.

Lincoln, however, still had politics in his blood. Before he had completed his studies of law, he was elected as a state legislator. Lincoln served for four terms before hitting the national scene. In 1847, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, pledging to serve only one term. Here he fell in step with the policies of the Whig Party, which offered the nation growth through government intervention in banking, railroads, and other aspects of the economy. These topics greatly interested Lincoln, but the Mexican-American War overshadowed domestic affairs. The American sentiment at the time was strongly in favor of national expansion in accordance with the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, so Lincoln's opposition to the war on the grounds that it was unnecessary for the defense of the new state of Texas was not popular.

A bigger issue, however, was looming on the horizon and threatening to engulf the nation in a catastrophic storm. In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed and signed into law, repealing the Missouri Compromise, which had prohibited slavery in new territories north of latitude 36º 30', the southern boundary of Missouri. Lincoln, while not yet ready to accept abolition, opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories.

Lincoln quickly decided return to politics and run for the United States Senate, feeling that the Kansas-Nebraska Act should "be rebuked and condemned every where." The election was held in 1858, and his opponent was none other than Stephen A. Douglas, the originator of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In a famous series of debates, the two argued their differing views of slavery and popular sovereignty, the theory that the residents of a new state should vote on whether or not to allow slavery within its borders.

Lincoln lost the senate race, but he was not yet ready to exit politics a second time. Instead, he promptly set his eyes on the presidency. His inspiring rags-to-riches story, moderate stance on slavery, and support for such programs as a transcontinental railroad and a proposed homestead act made him the ideal candidate to the Republicans of the North. Meanwhile, the Democrats were divided among themselves, some of them favoring Stephen A. Douglas with his idea of popular sovereignty, others preferring John Breckinridge with his insistence that slavery be permitted without exception in all new territories.

Although Lincoln had little support in the South, he won the North quite handily. In response, the states of South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas seceded from the Union. These seven states had already promised to secede if a Republican was elected, since the fledgling party was founded on an uncompromising antislavery position, and they left quickly before the president-elect took office. Despite efforts on both sides to reconcile the divided country peaceably, no grounds for a compromise could be agreed upon.

The Lincoln Presidency

Lincoln was sworn in on March 4, 1861, as the 16th United States president, as well as the first Republican president. For over a month both Union and Confederacy sat quietly, though the tension mounted daily. At last the storm broke. Lincoln sent supplies to Fort Sumter, a Union fort within the Confederate state of South Carolina, and the Confederates responded with armed opposition. Lincoln now threw himself into monitoring the war effort (albeit without a formal declaration of war), studying telegraph messages and even borrowing a book on military science so that he could fully master the subject before him.

Northern newspaper editors were loud and boastful in their declarations that the South would be beaten in 90 days or less. This pressured Lincoln to take drastic measures, while the morale was so high. On April 15, three days after the attack on Fort Sumter, the president called on the states to muster soldiers to defend Washington, recapture all forts in Confederate territory, and speedily put down the rebellion. Shortly afterward, he also suspended the writ of habeas corpus, arresting many politicians who were suspected of being pro-Confederacy, or at least antiwar.

Of course, the Civil War was not over in 90 days. Disappointed Northerners began to turn against the president, creating an even more delicate situation for him to handle. A plan occurred to Lincoln, however, which promised to aid the situation. He had originally declared his intention to leave slavery alone in places where it was already established. But a proclamation of emancipation would rally the discontented American abolitionists, win antislavery Britain and France to the Union side, and encourage slaves to revolt and take up arms against the Confederacy. Lincoln waited until a major victory to release his plan. Antietam gave him the opportunity he was waiting for, and on September 22, 1862, Lincoln made a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, the final version taking effect on January 1, 1863.

As the war drew on, Lincoln found a general that he could count on in Ulysses Grant. As the two became better acquainted, a strategy evolved that targeted the Confederate economy. Although controversial, Lincoln and Grant believed that this plan would end the Civil War as quickly as possible. This must have given the president some assurance, because as early as 1863 he began to work on plans to bring the Southern states back into the Union after the war had ended. On December 8, he made the Amnesty Proclamation, which promised total pardon to all Confederates who had not held a civil office in the Confederate government, had not abused Union prisoners of war, and would pledge allegiance to the Union.

During this time, Lincoln did not forget his interest in domestic affairs. He signed the Homestead Act, giving free land to those who were willing to settle on it and improve it; the Pacific Railroad Act, establishing the Transcontinental Railroad; and an unprecedented act which provided federal protection for what is now Yosemite National Park. He also established the United States Department of Agriculture and brought back the national banking system that had been abolished by Andrew Jackson.

But the Civil War was by far the dominant issue in American politics when Lincoln ran for reelection. The radical wing of the Republican Party was furious with the Amnesty Proclamation and the president's other expressions of his willingness to extend mercy to the South. At the same time, the Democrats built a platform on the statement that the war was a "failure" and demanded that it be immediately ceased. However, a series of brilliant Union successes, clinched Lincoln's reelection in 1864. He was able to go forward with his plans to finish the war. Early in 1865, Grant captured the Confederate capital of Richmond, and Robert E. Lee surrendered on April 9 that same year.

But Lincoln was not able to carry out his plans for a reconciliation of the divided nation. Two days after Lee's surrender, the president made a speech advocating voting rights for blacks in direct contradiction to his earlier policies on the subject. This happened to infuriate an actor named John Wilkes Booth, a radical Confederate sympathizer, and he hatched a plan to assassinate the president. In an effort to upset the Union government, he also planned to murder Vice President Andrew Johnson, Secretary of State William Seward, and General Ulysses S. Grant.

The attempts on these three men were all unsuccessful, but the primary objective was carried out. On April 14, 1865, Booth shot Lincoln as he was watching a play at Ford's Theater. Lincoln died the next morning, and Andrew Johnson became president. Booth was killed over a week later, probably shot after refusing to surrender to Union soldiers.

Almost immediately a mystical aura formed around the legacy of Lincoln, and it has prevailed through more recent times. Lincoln's head appeared on the penny in 1909. The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in 1922. Lincoln's face was sculpted onto Mount Rushmore several years later. Lincoln became the hero of the New Deal because of his advocacy for the common man. Lincoln symbolized freedom during the Cold War. In surveys today, Lincoln is consistently ranked in the top three of great American presidents.

Lincoln's Legacy

Guided the United States through the Civil War.

Created the first income tax in America.

Signed the Homestead Act.

Signed the Pacific Railroad Act.

Helped to institute the Thanksgiving holiday.

Helped Congress to pass the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.

Set new precedents for the president's role as the chief executive.

Lincoln in His Own Words

Civil War: "Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the Nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came."

Suspension of the writ of habeas corpus: "The provision of the Constitution that 'The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, shall not be suspended unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it,' is equivalent to a provision-is a provision-that such privilege may be suspended when, in cases of rebellion, or invasion, the public safety does require it. It was decided that we have a case of rebellion, and that the public safety does require the qualified suspension of the privilege of the writ which was authorized to be made."

Slavery: "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that."

Reconstruction: "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."

Government: "The legitimate object of government is 'to do for the people what needs to be done, but which they can not, by individual effort, do at all, or do so well, for themselves.'"

Further Investigation

Abraham Lincoln
Just the facts in this ThinkQuest.

Abraham Lincoln
Simple information along with text from the Gettysburg Address for younger children from Enchanted Learning.

Abraham Lincoln
Biography from Civil War Trust.

Lincoln, Abraham
Quick list of offices held from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

Abraham Lincoln
Extensive biography for older students from the University of Virginia.

Emancipation Proclamation
Background from the Library of Congress.

Emancipation Proclamation Timeline
From the Library of Congress.

Assassination of President Lincoln
Timeline from the Library of Congress.

Activities

Under His Hat
Interactive site sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation that uses artifacts to explore Lincoln's life. Select one of the eight avenues of discovery then view each object to learn more. Each object has a link to a PDF with outstanding suggested activities geared toward elementary, middle school, and high school students. Not to be missed!

A Word Fitly Spoken
Interactive timeline from Ashland University primarily pulling from Lincoln's speeches. Another excellent site!

Abraham Lincoln's Crossroads
Interactive where the student makes the decisions Lincoln faced!

The Spread of Slavery
Click on the interactive timeline to see the spread of slavery across the United States.

Abraham Lincoln
Use the links at the bottom to navigate this simple interactive biography from the National Park Service.

Abraham Lincoln and Antebellum America: Society and Politics
Another interactive biography from Northern Illinois University.

Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life
Walk through an extensive Smithsonian exhibit by following the links to the right or the arrows at the bottom.

Lincoln Hat Template
Print and assemble!

Abraham Lincoln's Log Cabin
Craft activity to introduce young children to Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Jr. Ranger Activity Book
Free download with fun activities to help a young student learn more about Abraham Lincoln.

"You Are There: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln"
An old radio show dramatization that puts the listener in events as they happen.

"Cavalcade of America: Abraham Lincoln"
Another old radio show mp3 download. You may also enjoy Abraham Lincoln - The War Years.

Poetry

"O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman
Written after the President's assassination.

Books

Abraham Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar d'Aulaire
Caldecott winner and favorite covering Lincoln's path through Illinois and on to the White House. Read our entire review with go-alongs!

If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln by Ann McGovern
Part of the Scholastic If You series that some enjoy (and some do not), this one by one of the better authors.

Abraham Lincoln: The Great Emancipator by Augusta Stevenson
Part of the Childhood of Famous Americans series and written by one of its better authors.

Lincoln and the Sleeping Sentinel by L.E. Chittenden
Short story in the public domain telling the story of a young soldier whose life Lincoln saved.

Our American Holidays: Lincoln's Birthday {Free eBook}
Includes a great deal of primary source information that will complement any study of Lincoln.

The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln in his own words. This is an index, so you will need to link through to each of the seven volumes to download.

Abraham Lincoln
A wide array of primary source documents.

Unit Studies & Lesson Plans

Lincoln Biography Reading Kit
Group of detailed lesson plans from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum covering his youth, the debates, the presidency, Gettysburg, and more. Excellent printables!

Abraham Lincoln
12-page biography-oriented lesson plan from the National Park Service that covers the early years, life in Illinois, the presidency, and more.

Gettysburg Address Lesson Plan
Great lesson plan from Civil War Trust based upon the speech that explores its role at the time and today. There is a video with actors reading the speech that includes content that may not be suitable for young children. Nevertheless, older students will find much to take away.

d'Aulaire's Abraham Lincoln {Review & Go-Alongs}
Lots of suggestions, activities, resources, and printables in our review.

You Are an Investigative Reporter
Free lesson plan from Eastern Illinois University where the student uses primary sources to investigate the conspiracy.

Abraham Lincoln: The Face of a War
Free download from the Smithsonian that looks at Lincoln the man through photographs.

Abraham Lincoln's Legacy
Lesson plan from the Center for Civic Education.

Presidents Day {Holiday Helps}
Many other Lincoln resources in our Presidents Day unit.

Printables & Notebooking Pages

Abraham Lincoln
Coloring page from White House Kids.

Abraham Lincoln Notebooking Pages
Simple pages for copywork, narrations, or wrapping up.

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Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in Hodgenville, Kentucky. His family roamed a bit throughout his childhood, first moving to Indiana and then to Illinois. Poverty was a constant antagonist, and from an early age Lincoln learned to work. Helping his father on the farm in remote areas did not give him many...

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Teacher's Guide for grades K-8

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Read the article and answer the questions.

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Planning a trip to Mount Rushmore? Learn how you can become a Junior Ranger!

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Be A Junior Ranger - Mount Rushmore National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)

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For children ages 5-12. No fee. Youngsters learn more about Mount Rushmore as they explore the memorial through the activities inside. A Junior Ranger Badge along with a certificate is awarded upon completion of the booklet. Once the certificate is obtained, a souvenir patch may also be purchased in the Visitor Center or Information Center bookstore.

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Join the movement and turn exercise into an adventure.

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Sign-up and enjoy these great historical activities and games for free.

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Learn more about this National Memorial.