Are you looking for a fun research project for your students? Get ready to dive headfirst into an extraordinary journey through American history with this Presidents Research Project!
If you're tired of the same old boring lesson
plans and yearning for something engaging and captivating, you've hit the
jackpot. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a thrilling adventure that
will have your students begging for more.
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What's Included in the Presidents Research Project?
First, I have the students pick a US President and then sign-up for that President. You would be amazed how often this list comes in handy when students forget which president they are supposed to be researching!
If your students need help deciding which President to research, you can find a full list of US Presidents in the order that they served at the White House website here.
Then, I send home this parent letter so that students and parents all know what to expect with the Presidents research project. (I have included an editable version in the resource so you can change it as needed)!
Next, we start researching! I have my students use both books and internet resources.
I absolutely LOVE the National Geographic Encyclopedia of US Presidents because it has all of the Presidents including Joe Biden, so it is very up-to-date and current. I usually let my students take turns using the book.
My students and I also love using the Presidential versions of the Who Was (Is) series. You can find the ones I have linked below:
Some of our favorite on-line resources for researching about US Presidents are:
If my students don't have access to the internet, I will print off articles for the president they chose (another time that the sign-up sheet comes in handy)!
As my students complete their research, they use these graphic organizers to both guide what their research and to keep track of what they have found.
Once their research is completed, they start to put together their final projects.
I have my students either draw a picture of their president or print out a picture for their cover page.
They write a dedication page.
They write about their President's background.
They provide a timeline of their President's life.
They write about where their President was born, including finding the state on the map of the United States.
They write about their President's time in the White House.
They provide some interesting facts about their President.
They share a famous quote from their President.
They write a persuasive essay about why their President was a good president (knocking out another writing standard in the same project)!
There are blank templates that the students can use if they have other topics they want to include, or to add some illustrations or photos.
Once the students have completed their projects, they present them to the class and any parents who might like to attend. I use these rubrics for grading the final project.
This US Presidents Research Project is a fun and simple way for your students to research and learn about the US Presidents. This resource is student friendly and helps guide your students in what exactly to research. The final products are the perfect way for students to display their research. They can be used with any US President!
Testimonials and Success Stories: Educators' Experiences with the Presidents Research Project
"My students were so engaged in researching about the president they chose! The format was easy for students to follow! I used this as a back-to-school, let's practice research project."
"My students absolutely loved this resource. Being in 3rd grade, they have not done many projects. We did the research fact sheet in class along with the other sheets. The students then took the information home and created the board. It was a great resource and a great way to get the families engaged in the students' lessons."
— Amber B.
Do you have your students research about different US Presidents? Looking for a unique way for students to display that research? Check out my US Presidents Research resource in my Teachers pay Teachers store!