Best and Worst Presidents?

Presidents Day is a federal holiday celebrated each February in the United States. In 1968, legislation was enacted that affected several federal holidays. One of these was Washington's Birthday on February 22nd, and Lincoln's Birthday on the 12th.

These separate holiday celebrations were consolidated into one official holiday--Presidents Day--honoring Washington and Lincoln as well as all the other presidents who have served our country. The official observation was designated as the third Monday in February to both simplify the yearly calendar of holidays, and give federal and many other employees some standard three-day weekends in the process.

Few historians would dispute that Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were among our most famous and accomplished presidents. But, do students know what other presidents, among the 43 who have already served in that office, were also revered for their significant contributions to our nation?

ProQuest editors have created a BookCart that will help your students learn more about our presidents. The BookCart provides the resources your students will need to address the essential questions for critical thinking included with the BookCart. You can also include student directions and call numbers for print resources.

• Logon to the eLibrary Elementary Teacher Edition.
• Click the BookCart Admin link of the Teacher Edition.
• Click the ProQuest Carts tab.
• Type "American Presidents" in the Search box to locate it quickly.
• Click the Copy icon in the Actions column to the right of this title.
• Click Return to My Local Carts.

To edit and tailor the BookCart for your students to use:

• Click your new BookCart Title--it will have the prefix "Copy of."
• Delete "Copy of" and then type your name in the Author boxes and your email.
• Type student directions and call numbers in the Description box for your students to use.
• Scroll down and click Save.
• Return to My Local Carts.
• Note: Students will be able to open this BookCart by clicking the BookCart tab on the search page.

Students should write a report of at least 100 words or a presentation of at least five slides that addresses the following essential questions for critical thinking (you can create or substitute others):

• Who is your favorite president and why?
• Who is your least favorite president and why?
• If you were president, what is the most important action you would attempt and why?
• Which of the candidates for president did you support and why?
• What services would you recommend that retired presidents voluntarily perform for the country and why?

Click the Topics tab > Famous People > Historical Leaders > Leaders in U.S. History > Biographies by Subject > United States Presidents > Presidential Biography Collections

Use our custom ProQuest models for written and PowerPoint-style reports.

PROQUEST SUPPORTS 21ST CENTURY LITERACY & SKILLS

ProQuest has developed a set of online teaching and learning solutions supporting
major initiatives to integrate 21st Century Skills into today's learning environments.