As President’s Day approaches, what better time to inspire students to delve into the lives of influential historical figures, particularly those who shaped our nation? Our “Passports from the Past” project combines creativity and research, allowing students to explore history in a hands-on way. Let’s dive into how you can implement this project, use President’s Day as a theme, and create meaningful connections with America’s most iconic leaders. Click the button below to download the Mobile Ed "Passport from the Past" activity sheet. 

Step 1: Choose a Presidential Figure

In honor of President's Day, encourage students to focus on presidents who have left a lasting impact on the world. For younger learners or first-time researchers, provide a curated list of presidents with helpful resources. Examples might include:

1. George Washington
2. Abraham Lincoln
3. Theodore Roosevelt
4. Franklin D. Roosevelt
5. Barack Obama

You can also broaden the scope to include additional important historical figures such as Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, or Benjamin Franklin.

Provide each student with a blank passport. Discuss the worksheet as a classroom, touching on the topics to target before they begin their research.

Step 2: Research

Guide students in researching their presidential picks. Share age-appropriate resources like books, documentaries, and websites. If possible, arrange a classroom visit to the library! 

Encourage students to uncover:

• • • Key life events
    • Leadership qualities and decisions
    • Impact on the country and the world
    • Unique or personal anecdotes

For example, if a student chooses Abraham Lincoln, they might learn about:

• • • His humble beginnings in a log cabin in Kentucky
    • His leadership during the Civil War
    • The Emancipation Proclamation and his fight against slavery
    • His love for storytelling and humor
      

Step 3: Complete the Passport

Using their research, students will fill in their passports. Students can choose to draw a presidential portrait for their passports or print a photo and attach the image in the blank space provided.

Make the passports feel more realistic by drawing or creating passport "stamps", denoting locations that played an important role in the president’s life. For example, President Lincoln’s travel stamps might include: Kentucky (birthplace), Illinois (political career), Washington, D.C. (presidency), or Gettysburg (Civil War battlefield).

Here’s how Lincoln’s passport might look upon completion:

Name: Abraham Lincoln

Date of Birth: February 12, 1809

Place of Birth: Hodgenville, Kentucky

Time Period: March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865

Job(s): 16th President of the United States

What were their biggest accomplishments?: Abraham Lincoln, born in a log cabin, rose to become one of America’s greatest leaders. As president, he preserved the Union during the Civil War and abolished slavery.

How did their actions make an impact?: Abraham Lincoln’s key contributions were successfully leading the nation through the Civil War and issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery in America.

Passport Stamps: Kentucky (birthplace), Illinois (political career), Washington, D.C. (presidency), or Gettysburg (Civil War battlefield)

Step 4: Share and Reflect

Close the project with reflective classroom discussions. Have students compare and contrast the qualities that made their presidential figures successful, how these figures influenced history and future generations, as well as what lessons we can apply to our lives today. Encourage students to consider how President’s Day is not just a holiday but a celebration of leadership and the ongoing march of democracy.

Lastly, have students present their passports in creative ways:

1. Gallery Walk: Display completed passports for a classroom “history museum.”
2. Presentations: Let students share highlights about their figures, emphasizing why they chose them.
3. Living History Day: Combine presentations with The Living Lincoln program, creating a day dedicated to historical exploration and learning.

Pair “Passports From the Past” with “The Living Lincoln”

This President’s Day, bring history to life with the “Passports from the Past” project and Mobile Ed’s The Living Lincoln program! Together, these experiences offer students an engaging way to connect with history, develop research skills, and gain a deeper appreciation for the leaders who shaped our nation, namely Abraham Lincoln! The Living Lincoln assembly brings our sixteenth president to life with an immersive, in-person portrayal that connects their research with a real-world perspective.

Students will hear about Lincoln’s early life, his presidency during the Civil War, and his enduring legacy, complete with period clothing and historical accuracy. The program’s storytelling approach helps students see Lincoln as more than just a historical figure—they’ll gain insights into his humanity, resilience, and leadership.

Ready to step into the past? Contact Mobile Ed Productions today to schedule The Living Lincoln for your school!