AUTHOR CONNECTIONS:
Fired when she was a teenager from her library job for "reading too much," Kathleen
Krull went on to grow up to be a highly successful children's book editor, reviewer,
and author. Her curiosity about subjects that passionately interest her, like
music, people, nightmares, and World War II and other aspects of American history
led her to create the "Lives of. . ." books, among other significant works
in children's literature. Kathleen Krull married her next-door neighbor and they
currently live in San Diego, California. Krull may be reached by e-mail at kkrull1@san.rr.com
or visit her website kathleenkrull.com
CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:
 Celebrate
President's Day by creating a Presidential Hall of Fame. Assign each student a
specific president with each developing a profile based on the biographical eccentricities
reported in Kathleen Krull's audiotape. Illustrate poster boards with pictures
from the Library of Congress American Memory Collection: "By Popular Demand: Portraits
of the Presidents and First Ladies, 1789-Present." Students must cite both sources.
Make
a Presidential Timeline and include two significant political or social events
that took place during each president's tenure. Write a brief description describing
these events.
Students
will write their autobiographies in the style heard in The Lives of the Presidents.
Favorite foods, nicknames, books, childhood adventures and misadventures, pets,
sports, odd habits, special interests, and dreams for the future are the special
tidbits that make a compelling autobiography. Mount on heavy stock paper and include
a photograph; display on a classroom bulletin board.
Have
the class write and design the front page of a newspaper. Form four to five groups
of "reporters" and ask each to choose a different president. Use Krull's audiotape
as a resource. Students will also reference an encyclopedia and one web site,
gathering information about their president and the important events related to
his term in office. The front page must be well-designed and the content accurate
and engaging.
During
a presidential election year, students can take an all-school poll to determine
their choice for president. Ballots can be cast, tallied, and graphed in a variety
of ways. Display graphs in the hallway for all to see.
INTERNET CONNECTIONS:
The
White House for Kids
http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/holiday/index.html
The presidential house pets, Socks and Buddy, serve as the guides in this
fascinating Web site. Tour the White House and learn more about its intriguing
history. Information about the presidents, first families, first ladies, and the
White House art collection ensure a wealth of additional material.
The
Library of Congress American Memory Historical Collections
http://memory.loc.gov
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/odmdhtml/preshome.html
Find the collection "By Popular Demand: Portraits of the Presidents and
First Ladies, 1789-Present" in this excellent site that exhibits primary historical
documents, pictures, and recordings in American history.
The National First Ladies
Museum
http://www.firstladies.org/
Go to the National First Ladies' Library Bibliography and discover individual
sites for each First Lady.
The American
Presidency
http://www.gi.grolier.com/presidents/
Grolier Online presents articles, speeches, photographs, and multimedia presentations
related to the history of the presidency. Listen to the "Hail to the Chief" audio
clip.
POTUS: Presidents of
the United States
http://www.ipl.org/ref/POTUS/
Students will find this site accessible with its easy-to-navigate format.
Includes presidential background information, cabinet members, election results,
and many informational links.
FOR
FURTHER LISTENING AND READING:
 THE
GREATEST SPEECHES OF ALL-TIME. Excerpts from notable world leaders' inspirational
speeches form the core of this important recording. J. F. Kennedy, M. L. King,
Jr., Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill are among the orators compiled
here. Brief historical background precedes each speech. CD available from Audio
Bookshelf.
THE
KENNEDY TAPES, VOL. I AND II. Highlights from 30 of Kennedy's speeches.
CDs available from Audio Bookshelf.
 The
Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States (Harcourt Brace, 1997)
by Alice Provenson
Bully
for You, Teddy Roosevelt! (Putnam, 1991) by Jean Fritz, and other titles
Eleanor
Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery (Clarion Books, 1993) by Russell Freedman
Kennedy
Assassinated! The World Mourns: A Reporter's Story (Candlewick Press, 1997)
by Wilborn Hampton
Lincoln:
A Photobiography (Houghton Mifflin, 1987) by Russell Freedman
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