Duck for President

 Cronin, D. (2004). Duck for President. New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. Grades K-2.
Written by: Doreen Cronin
Awards: New York Times Best Illustrated Books Awards, National Best-Seller, Caldecott Honoree
Subject Area: Social Studies
Genre: Fiction

Summary: All the animals at the farm are sick of doing chores. They wonder why Farmer Brown is in charge anyways. This is when they decide that it is time for an election. They think that if they get rid of farmer brown than the farm will be a nice, kinder, and gentler farm. Each animal contributed to the election. In order to vote, the voters must fit a certain criteria. After the votes were collected, it was announced that Duck was president. Suck realizes that running a farm is tough work, so he continues his journey up the political system with the help of his animal friends.

Themes: Voting, Political Positions, Presidents

Initiating Questions and Activities:

1. Looking at the cover, would you vote for Duck for president?
2. What job do you think Duck would be the best at?
3. Why do you think duck wants to run for president?
4. Would you want to run for president?

Activity:
Have a discussion with your students. Talk about getting a class mascot. Have two stuff animals that could potentially be the class mascot. Have the children make posters for the animals and describe why each animal would make a good class mascot. By the end, each student should have a poster that supports a candidate of their choice. Have the kids make a quick presentation of why they want a certain mascot over another.

Culminating and Extending Questions:

1. What makes a good president?
2. What made Duck a good president?
3. What made Farmer Brown a poor president?
4. What could you do to win a presidency or any type of position?
5. What are some positive and negative things about being a president?

Activity:
After the students present their posters/signs and give their mini-speeches have the students vote for their favorite mascot. Have them fill out their ballots. Then count the votes for each mascot and announce it to the class.Then have a discussion with the class on why they think one won over the other. What is the mascots good qualities and why would they make a good class mascot. Then explain to the kids that they will each take a turn taking the mascot home and when they take him home they will write about their adventures with the class mascot.

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.