Let's Tour the White House
Submitted by:Karen Jackson
School or Affiliation: Manassa Elementary School Manassa, Colorado
Endorsed by: These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have
attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher
from 14 western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural,
western, United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC
uses Big Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the
participating teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met
at the Workshops.
Date: May 1994
Description: The design and function, or usage, of the
buildings in our national capital are difficult for students in our rural western areas to
visualize. This activity was designed with a two-fold purpose, 1st to help students
appreciate the beauties and functions of the White House, and 2nd to give them practice in
locating important information in articles or encyclopedias.
Grade Level:4-6
Objectives: As a result of this activity, students will
- Have a greater appreciation of the White House
- Be able to explain the history, furnishings, and uses of the various rooms.
- Be able to locate and summarize information for other projects such as National Parks,
Civil War Battles, Presidents, or even systems of the body.
Materials: Pictures or large book, Opaque projector
Procedure:
- Find large pictures of the various rooms in the White House or a book on the White House
with good pictures.
- Choose rooms to be "visited".
- Find the descriptions of each room.
- Pick out the important facts about history, furnishings, and uses that the students feel
would be of interest to their classmates.
- Organize material into a "tour package".
- Using an opaque projector or large pictures, project the pictures onto a screen, or
wall, while "tour guide": tells about each room.
- Begin tour with "Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the White House......"
- End with "This concludes our tour ladies and gentlemen. Hope you enjoy your stay in
Washington D.C.!"
Tying it All Together:
- Allow class time to discuss rooms they liked or information of particular interest to
them.
- Have class choose another project they would like to try.
- Encourage class to share this activity with parents and families.
- In groups of 4-6, have class write a tour guide of important places in local area.
- This type of activity is a great P.T.O. activity or presentation.
|
