With Presidents’ Day being this week, the kids and I explored the lives of Washington and Lincoln. . A lot of our learning takes place in casual, simple ways, and that’s exactly how we’ve learned about these influential men.
1. We checked out these favorite books from the library.
George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’aulaire are absolutely delightful and filled with interesting stories about the presidents when they were children. Also, the pictures are colorful and bright. Who loves them more… the kids or me? Not sure. 🙂
2. The kids watched these Nest Family Entertainment DVD’s in the van while we ran errands. These focus on the men’s adult lives including both of their respective roles in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
3. We built Abe Lincoln log cabins. Actually we did this a few years ago with the cousins, but I thought I’d include it even though we haven’t gotten to them yet this year. 🙂
A few empty chocolate milk cartons, some chocolate frosting, pretzel sticks, and Rolos are all that you need to make an Abe style log cabin.
4. We discussed how God establishes all leaders, including our American Presidents.
Romans 13:1 states, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
The kids and I discussed the following list about the ups and downs of Abraham Lincoln’s life. I think it proves that God had an important plan for his life, even though he may have seemed like an unlikely choice for president.
Abe Lincoln
1. He had a difficult childhood in a poor family.
2. He had less than one year of formal schooling.
3. He failed in business at age 22.
4. He was defeated for legislature at 23.
5. His fiancee died when he was 26.
6. He was defeated for speaker at 29.
7. He was defeated for electorate at 31.
8. Only one of his four sons lived past age 18.
9. He was defeated for senate at 49.
10. He was finally elected president, during which time he saved the Union and freed the slaves.
So interesting!
