The White House
Student Activities

Overview


  1. Accessing Prior Knowledge: K-W-H-L Chart

    2. Individually, in pairs, or in small groups, have students fill in the K-W-H-L Form given here or have them write the information on large chart paper.

    Discuss the results of the K-W-H-L activities with the students. Tally their questions from the "What We Need to Know" section to develop a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) , or use the White House FAQs Sheet supplied here.

  2. Research: FAQ Sheet

    3. Have students conduct research to find the answers to the Frequently Asked Questions. Provide a wide variety of resources. Include encyclopedias, tourist brochures, CD-ROM references, online sources such as EBSCO, magazines, and access to the Internet. Many of these questions can be answered by going to the Welcome to the White House or the White House for Kids Web sites.

  3. Application: Final Project Sheet, Sample Guide 1, Sample Guide 2

    4. Have students select a Final Project to complete and continue to conduct the necessary research.

  4. Communication/Evaluation: Evaluation Chart, K-W-H-L Sheet

    5. Have students share their projects with their peers and parents. Give them time to fill out the "What We've Learned" section on their K-W-H-L charts and to share with he group what they've learned.

  5. Analysis/Synthesis:

    6. Have students research the architectural styles of buildings in the local area or worldwide. Point out changes in styles over the years.

    Discuss: Does the White House resemble any other buildings? If so, in what way? How would they describe its architectural style? What elements, if any, seem out of place? What would they keep or change if they could rebuild the White House?

  6. Activity:

    7. Discuss with students: What if their homes had been designed by the architects of the White House? Their school? Their playground or gymnasium? Their cafeteria? Have them sketch or build models of how they might look.