TITLE: Let's Tour the White House
AUTHOR: Karen Jackson; Manassa Elementary School
Manassa, Colorado
GRADE LEVEL: 4-6
OVERVIEW: 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.
OBJECTIVES: As a result of this activity, students will
1. Have a greater appreciation of the White House
2. Be able to explain the history, furnishings, and uses of the
various rooms.
3. Be able to locate and summarize information for other projects
such as National Parks, Civil War Battles, Presidents, or even
systems of the body.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Pictures or large book
Opaque projector
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Find large pictures of the various rooms in the White House or a
book on the White House with good pictures.
2. Choose rooms to be "visited".
3. Find the descriptions of each room.
4. Pick out the important facts about history, furnishings, and uses
that the students feel would be of interest to their classmates.
5. Organize material into a "tour package".
6. Using an opaque projector or large pictures, project the pictures
onto a screen, or wall, while "tour guide": tells about each room.
7. Begin tour with "Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the White
House......"
8. End with "This concludes our tour ladies and gentlemen. Hope you
enjoy your stay in Washington D.C.!"
TYING IT ALTOGETHER:
1. Allow class time to discuss rooms they liked or information of
particular interest to them.
2. Have class choose another project they would like to try.
3. Encourage class to share this activity with parents and families.
4. In groups of 4-6, have class write a tour guide of important
places in local area.
5. This type of activity is a great P.T.O. activity or presentation.
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