It’s Inauguration Weekend which means all things presidential if you’re a DC area resident like we are! We’ve been watching the preparations since after Christmas when bleachers started appearing on Pennsylvania Avenue (the Inaugural Parade route that President Obama will take after his Inaugural Address at the Capitol Building), reading about the different balls- both official and unofficial, and continuing to learn about the history of inauguration and about our former presidents.
We’ve been using presidential themed apps, reading content from the official inauguration website and watching the award-winning educational Disney’s The American Presidents that is anything but boring like history videos of yesteryear.
Developed with the help of a producer from The Daily Show and Colbert Report, each presidential feature includes a biography on each as well as history about the time they served in office to provide historical context. The content appeals to kids by combining facts, interviews with historians, and just enough hilarious animation to keep things interesting without taking the focus away from the educational value. And ok, I have to admit that I enjoyed my history refresher as I watched these DVDs too especially for interviews with luminaries like Mo Rocca, Bob Woodward, Paul Begala, Wesley Clark, Sam Donaldson, Melissa Harris-Perry, Robert Reich, and Jon Meacham.
Designed for grades 3-8, The American Presidents consists of 4 DVDs that can be purchased individually ($25 each from Amazon). The content is also tied to national curriculum standards and includes interactive whiteboard features for classroom use.
In honor of Inauguration Weekend, win a box set of Disney’s The American Presidents DVDs from Disney Education Publishing, a prize valued at over $100!
Enter to win by leaving a comment sharing which president you’d most like to learn more about through the DVD series or one way you teach your kids about history. Include your email address or Twitter handle so I can contact with you win and a winner will be selected in 2 weeks!
I received a set of Disney’s The American Presidents from Disney Publishing and Disney Educational Products for review purposes but all opinions are my own. Amazon Affiliate links included in this post.
I'm a DC Metro area dwelling mom of 2 and former teacher with an background in classroom technology integration & school administration. I am a family internet safety & security expert, social media consultant, columnist for Parents.com and Scholastic Parents, dog owner, car enthusiast, and an avid gardener. I also work for Clever Girls Collective. {
My son is a HUGE George Washington fan – but enjoys learning about all the presidents.
Hillary
I’d love to learn more and teach more about FDR.
I would like to learn more about our current President.
@susanlanai
I would love to learn more about President Lincoln. Thanks for the chance, @justicecw
We would love to learn more about Lincoln – thanks!
I would love to learn more about Reagan!
Love to learn more abotut Abe Lincoln
I would like to learn more about John F Kennedy.
the roosevelts! my son is only 5, but he is so interested in the united states and presidents, i would love to incorporate this into our history curriculum next year! thank you!
*kelly
kelly-tillotson@hotmail.com
I would love to learn more about Calvin Coolidge….weird but true!
I would like to learn more about Teddy Roosevelt
love to know more about Andrew Jackson debbie jackson
djackson1958 at hotmail dot com
We learn about history by trying to watch historical dramas, programs on PBS and reading books that are set in a distant time period (in the past). I have always found that I learn more if I’m engaged in a fun way with a text or material, so I have tried to pass that on to our kids.
Thanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Lincoln in my opinion
I would like to learn more about Lincoln, especially after the recent release of the movie about his life. He was a fascinating orator and I especially appreciate his second inauguration speech.
I’d love to learn more about Lincoln!
I didn’t take much US history as a kid in England so my knowledge of the presidents is limited to the “biggies.” I’d like to learn about Grover Cleveland.
We brought the kids to Philadelphia and took them to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Constitution Center, and Valley Forge. It was a great way for the kids to learn a bit of history. Next time, we’ll head over to Boston.
Theodore Roosevelt lived an interesting life. I’d like to learn more.
I would like to learn about Lincoln.
ayed2016 at aol dot com
I would love to learn more about Benjamin Harrison and Andrew Jackson.
I love any kind of history though so I guess I want to learn something new about all of them.
I would love to learn more about Abraham Lincoln
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
For some reason I’ve always had a thing for Woodrow Wilson. I’d love to learn more about him.
I would like to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt. Thanks for the giveaway.
Our family would love to learn more about President Obama.