Inauguration Inspiration: Teaching Kids About Presidential Traditions

7 projects that highlight the importance of our democracy 

As we approach the upcoming inauguration, an opportunity to share with scholars the beauty of living in a democracy is upon us. We can share examples in history of how our democracy works as well as highlight the process of being voted and sworn into office.    

1. President Books

One of the best ways to introduce the inauguration is to share the process of how our founding fathers worked together to create the expectations, rules and guidelines that are required to become the leader in our country. A fun and interactive idea is to have scholars do research on some of the founding fathers as well as some of our other famous and popular presidents and then have students write about them and share their learnings with one another. To make these use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to cut out the Book Set- Presidents Die Cut Set for each student, add paper in order to create the books for students to write their facts in. 

2. Declaration of Independence Fact Book

Another fun idea is to educate scholars on the importance of the historical document the Declaration of Independence. Once students have learned about it they can add their new learning to their own scrolls to then display or take home to share with their families. To make these documents, pull out your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to then cut out two red scrolls, using the Scroll Die Cut, for the front and back covers. Next, you will have the students add details and the title to one scroll.  You will also need to cut out lined paper pages. Then punch two holes just below the top edge of covers and pages and tie the book together with black yarn or cord.

3. President Lincoln Book Buddy 

Without doubt one of the most celebrated and well known presidents is Abraham Lincoln. While discussing how the process to become president is still in existence today just as it was when good old Abe was elected not just once but twice, you can have scholars create their own book buddy about President Lincoln. To create these buddies you will need to use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine and you will also need the Book Buddy #1 Die Cut, the Boot- Combat Die Cut, the Circle-6 1/2" Die Cut, the Handprint #2 Die Cut and the Hat-Top Hat #1 Die Cut. To make these start by folding 12" x 18" black construction paper to 9" x 12".  Then lay the fold on the die with the folded edge where there is no blade and cut the book buddy. Next, fold along the perforation lines to create the jacket and lapels. In order to create the arms, cut two legs from the leftover black paper. Then cut at a slight curve from bottom of each leg to top and attach arms to figure sides. After that, cut a 6 1/2" skin-toned circle for the head and attach it to the jacket top. Next you will create the hair by placing paper a quarter of way down on the circle die. Use scissors to free-hand cut bangs and add those to the face. For the beard, cut another piece like the hair. You can then cut the chin arch in the beard and apply it to the face. Then adhere the top hat to the head. You can have the kids draw facial features on their own buddy. Then add the hands to the ends of the arms and shoes to the ends of the legs. To finish these up, cut writing paper in half and secure behind jacket flaps with staples. This is where students can add their own details about President Lincoln. 

4. President Washington Factbook

Another important president to spend time teaching about would be our first president, George Washington. Spending some time teaching your scholars about the first president as well as the story about how he became the president is a great way to converse about the process of how one becomes the president in a democracy. You could also teach how some of the expectations for presidents have changed since the time that George was president. To make these factbooks use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine and the Washington Die Cut. Start by cutting multiple colors of George Washington heads then punch holes in the top of each head and then assemble heads with a ring. Pass these out to the scholars and have them write down a fact on each of the heads.  

5. President Obama Book

Taking time to bring the learning into the past decade you can then share with students about President Barack Obama. This more modern example of the presidency can help your students understand what it is like to run for president and then the process that happens after they have been elected. Use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine and the Barack-Obama #1 Die Cut. To make these informative books you will need two sheets of sky blue paper that will be used for the book cover. You will then need to cut out the image of Obama from brown, white, black and red cardstock to match the example image. Then glue these different sections to add the head, hair and clothing to the front cover of the book. You can have the students write the title with a marker or you can print out titles and add them to the front of the book. Have your students write facts about President Obama on lined paper pages, such as his childhood, schooling, career, political background and presidential election facts. Complete them by assembling the book and stapling them together.

6. Becoming A Nation 

An important time in history to discuss with your scholars would be to share how America became a nation in the first place.  By discovering more about how the USA became a country it can help students see and understand the significance of the process of becoming a nation and how finding a new way to select a leader was important to the founding fathers. Students can take notes, print images of documents and find creative ways to highlight their learnings. They can then take all of the work they have done and collect in these folders to share with others. You will use the MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to cut out the Paul Revere/Patriot Die Cut. Get some folders and cut out the patriot silhouette then have your scholars glue them on the front and add a title for their folders.  

7. Presidential Bulletin Board 

One last way that you can educate and highlight the process to becoming president while also celebrating presidents of the past is to put up a Presidential Bulletin Board. Team scholars up and have them do research on former presidents. You can then display their research for all to see. To make this bulletin board you will need to grab your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine and you will use the Border-Stars #2 Die Cut, the  Book Set- Presidents Die Cut Set and then select any Alphabet Die Cut set you have to put the board together. Begin by attaching blue paper to your bulletin board for the background. Next, cut enough star borders from white paper to make a border around the entire bulletin board. Then you will need to cut letters for the title from red paper, a nice added touch would be to outline the letters with black marker. Then add the label to the board.  You can use a paper trimmer to cut 4" wide strips of lined paper. The next step is to cut the President's heads from black construction paper. Add these to the white paper and trim to desired size. Lastly, assemble the articles onto red construction paper background pages and attach one Presidential silhouette to each set of research.    

All of these activities are quick and fun ways to get students talking and learning about the election process and get them excited to witness an inauguration for themselves. This complex process is something that should be taught in order to share the responsibility of voting and hopefully impact them enough to cause them to get out and vote when it is their turn. 

Written by Amy Pinegar.