So You Want to Be President?

George, J., Small, D. (2000). So You Want to Be President. New York: Philomel Books. Grades 2-5.
So You Want to Be President
Written by: Judith St. George and David Small
Winner of the Caldecott Medal 

Subject Area: Social Studies
Genre: Non-fiction


Summary: 
This book shares with children that presidents have all been different and anyone can be president. There has been presidents of all shapes, sizes, professions, and more! This books tells readers the positive and fun things about being president, but also the negative and not-so-fun things that the president has to do. This book is fantastic for children, because it shows that presidents can be just like you and me. This book can help children decipher whether or not it is worth being the President of the United States. This is information that you most likely will not find in a typical history book!


Themes: Presidents of the United States of America
Initiating Questions and Activities:
Questions:

1. Who wants to be the president of the United States one day?
2. Why would it be fun to be the president?
3. What would be hard about being president?
4. What does the president do?
5. Can you name any of our presidents?

Activity:
After reading the story draw a T-chart on a large piece of paper or on a board. On one side label it "good" and the other side "bad." Have the kids brainstorm the positive (good) and negative (bad) aspects of being a president. After the chart is complete discuss with the children whether or not they would want to be the president and why.

Culminating and Extending Questions:
Questions:

1. What would you change if you were president?
2. What president do you think you would be most like? Why?
3. What type of president would you be?
4. Did you like to find out all this new information about the presidents?

Activity:
Have the students take out a journal or give them a piece of lined paper. Give them a writing prompt on the board: "If I was president of the United States, I would..." Have the students write things they would change, who they would help, and what type of president they would be. On another piece of paper, have the students draw what they think they would look like if they were president and/or illustrate their writing. Then collect all the pages, make it into a book, and share it with the class. You could even let the kids take turns bringing the book home to show their families and friends.