📖

Presidents' Day: Leaders Who Serve

Patriotic Holidays

Day 132of 180
Week 27of 36
25Minutes
← Day 131Day 132 of 180Day 133
🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)

Learning Objectives

1

Learn about Presidents' Day and why we honor presidents

2

Understand how leaders can serve others

3

Recognize two important presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are ordained by God.

Romans 13:1 (WEB)

God gives leaders to help guide and protect people

📦 Materials Needed

  • Pictures of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln
  • White construction paper
  • Crayons or colored pencils
  • Stickers (optional)

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and ask, 'What do you know about Presidents' Day?' Allow children to share what they've heard. Explain that Presidents' Day is a special day when we remember great leaders who helped our country.

💭 Review Question: Can you name any presidents you know?
2Teaching (8 min)

Presidents are people who help lead our country and make important decisions. Two very special presidents we remember are George Washington (our first president) and Abraham Lincoln. Washington helped create our country, and Lincoln helped make sure all people could be free.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Presidents work to help keep people safe
  • Good leaders think about others before themselves
  • God gives leaders to help guide people
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What do you think makes a good leader?
  • How can leaders show love to people?
  • How can we pray for our leaders?
3Activity: Presidential Portrait (8 min)
craft

Students will create a simple portrait of a president, focusing on drawing what they've learned about leadership and serving others.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Give each child a piece of white construction paper
  2. Show pictures of Washington or Lincoln
  3. Encourage children to draw a president
  4. Add stickers or decorations if desired
  5. Let children share their drawings
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Provide a pre-drawn outline to color

Challenge: Write one sentence about the president's good qualities

4Closing (4 min)

Remind students that good leaders love and serve others, just like Jesus showed us how to serve.

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about presidents today?
  • How can we be good helpers like Jesus?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us leaders. Help us to pray for them and to be kind helpers too.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about another special holiday that honors people who protect our country!

Proverbs 16:12

It is an abomination for kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

Proverbs 16:12 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Royal Wave Memory Game

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Presidents' Day combines celebrations of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use simple language about leadership
  • Emphasize serving others
  • Connect leadership to biblical principles
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might not understand complex historical concepts

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding of basic leadership concepts and empathy

Extension Activities

  • Read a child-friendly book about Washington or Lincoln
  • Create a family timeline of presidential history
  • Discuss how your family serves others

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 133Back to History & Social Studies