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History is imporant and elementary students would do well to learn about past presidents. Election years would be the ideal time to incorporate these into classrooms. Depending on the grade, whether kindergarten through the sixth, there is enough variety to interest everyone. In preschool they could learn that every organization, schools, Parents and Teachers Association and even countries have presidents. Perhaps they could then vote on a president for their class.

Of course, learning about presidents is a natural part of our school system but it one that ways in teaching about them that is forever new. In the fourth, fifth and sixth grades there are endless ways of starting new projects about the presidents. Each student's project could have a new slant:

LIBRARIES:

A favorite project of presidents after they leave office is opening up a new library for a particular place, usually in or near their home town. Several students may want to form groups and delve into the history of these. They not only will be able to research them on-line but can ask for and get direct information from these places. Maybe a signed picture, or a copy of a signed picture could be an added wall decoration.

WHAT STATES HAVE THE PRESIDENTS CALLED HOME?

This will be all the more interesting to those students from the states with the most presidents. What states still lack past presidents? How many of these presidents went back home after their term of president was over? If not, such as the Clinton's, where did they go? Why? What was the attraction of the new state former presidents chose as their new home?

NICKNAMES:

This will add a lighter touch to this history lesson. Most presidents and most students have nick names by which others, playfully or in jest, call them. Who was known as old 'Rough and Ready'? Why was this nickname chosen? By what other name is Abraham Lincoln known? What nickname was given to Andrew Jackson? Why was this given? If they are stumped, give them a one word clue such as tree; after much searching they will discover why he known as "Old Hickory".

FIRST LADIES:

Women have always been influential in the White House and have helped their husbands. Possibly the teacher will have discussions about the names of the first ladies and then on the board make two columns: on the one on the left the name of ten first ladies; on the right the name of ten presidents. The students could write their answers on a piece of paper. The one with the most, wins, and second and third and so on. This would add a light touch to the classroom while teaching them important facts.

WHO WAS PRESIDENT WHEN SUCH AND SUCH AN Happened:

There are many events that they have been learning about and it would be to the teacher's advantage to allow the students to pick the events. They may need help in this but it would go far in elevating interest in the project. Here's a few possibilities: First railroads; The Great Depression; The Panama Canal; Women being allowed to vote. The students, of course, will have more and better ideas.

WHO WAS PRESIDENT WHEN YOU WERE BORN?

We all like to learn what other important events were happening when we were born. It's as if we want to fill in the blanks and makes some sense out of our world. This will add an interesting note to a sometimes tedious history assignment. When we can somehow make a direct connection to the one learning, it often more meaningful. I am sure teachers understand this but a refresher course is always welcome where teaching is concerned.

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