TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Juliette Turner invites you on a totally unique journey through
presidential history. Through fun cartoons, quotes, great graphics,
and Juliettes quirky sense of humor, youll discover tons of fun new
facts about the presidents of the United States and the role of the
executive branch. These arent just a bunch of old men in suits!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Juliette Turner is an honor student, singer, dancer and the National
Youth Director for Constituting America. When she isnt writing or on the
speaking circuit, she can be found with her mother, actress and radio
talk show host, Janine Turner, on their Texas ranch caring for their herd
of twenty-five longhorn cows, six dogs, pony, AB; and cats, Sparkle and
Meow.

9780310730958
$15.99
Paperback
Available wherever books are sold

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

CONTENTS

4
6
10
12

Discussion Questions

Activity 1: Who Said It?

Activity 2: Presidential Currency

Activity 3: Word Search

13

Activity 4: Presidential Nicknames

14

Official Application - United States Secret Service

15

Teachers Guide

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1
2
3
4

In her introduction to Our President Rocks!, Juliette Turner says, The president
truly personifies the American Dream. What is the American Dream?

Why did the Founding Fathers set up a system of checks and balances?
William Howard Taft said, I dont much believe in a presidents interfering with
the legislative department while doing its work. They have their responsibility,
and I have mine. What are the duties of the Executive Branch?
Who can vote in a presidential election?

What makes a good leader? What qualities do you think are important for
presidential candidates?
Presidents are held to a high standard of integrity, but consider the words of

Theodore Roosevelt. He said, The foundation stone of national life is, and ever

Martin Van Buren said, As to the Presidency, the two happiest days of my life

must be, the high individual character of the average citizen. What qualities do
you think are important for all Americans to have?

were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it. Why do you
think this was so?
Do a little digging. Which six presidents share the same first name?

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

9
10
11
12

Which six American presidents are known as war hero presidents?

William Howard Taft said, Anyone who has taken the oath I have just taken must
feel a heavy weight of responsibility. How does a president protect our country?
Barack Obama said, Change will not come if we wait for some other person or
some other time. We are the ones weve been waiting for. We are the change that
we seek. If you were president, what change would you make?
Which four presidents are represented on the national monument at
Mt. Rushmore?
Abraham Lincoln said, I do the very best I know how, the very best I can; and

13

I mean to keep on doing it to the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is
said against me will not amount to anything. If the end brings me out all wrong,
then a legion of angels swearing I was right will make no difference. When do
you know youre doing your best? Does it matter what people say?

14

Gerald R. Ford said, I want to be remembered as a nice person, who worked

15

Ronald Reagan said, What Id really like to do is go down in history as the

at the job, and who left the White House in better shape than when I took over.
How important is it to be nice? Describe a nice person.

president who made Americans believe in themselves again. How would you
like to go down in history? What would you like to be remembered for?

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

WHO SAID IT?

For each statement below, name the president who said it.

The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.
Hint 1: This president believed the government should protect its peoples inalienable rights

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Hint 2: He initiated the Louis and Clark Expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase.
Hint 3: This author of the Declaration of Independence dedicated his whole life to our country.

Answer:

The Constitution is still the object of our reverence, the bond of our Union, our
defense in danger, the source of our prosperity in peace.
Hint 1: This president fought in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
Hint 2: He was the first president without a college education.
Hint 3: His nickname was Old Hickory.

Answer:

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

WHO SAID IT?

A government for the people must depend for its success on the intelligence, the
morality, the justice, and the interest of the people themselves.
Hint 1: He is the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms.
Hint 2: This man was called The Veto President because he vetoed more than 580 pieces of

legislation during his two terms in office.
Hint 3: After leaving the White House, he became a trustee of Princeton University, earning the

nickname Sage of Princeton.

Answer:

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for youask
what you can do for your country.
Hint 1: He was responsible for the formation of the Peace Corps.
Hint 2: This president refused to back down to the U.S.S.R. during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Hint 3: He was the youngest man to be elected to the presidency.

Answer:

It has been the true glory of the United States to cultivate peace by observing
justice.
Hint 1: War was fought on American soil for the first time during his presidency.
Hint 2: He was quite short, but made up for his lack of stature with brilliance.
Hint 3: This presidents nickname was Father of the Constitution.

Answer:

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

WHO SAID IT?

I have no fears for the future of our country. It is bright with hope.
Hint 1: Americas Great Depression began during his first year in office.
Hint 2: He was a penniless orphan, yet he became a millionaire philanthropist.
Hint 3: This president was known as The Great Humanitarian.

Answer:

If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world, and we
shall surely endanger the welfare of this nation.
Hint 1: This man was sworn in as Americas seventh accidental president.
Hint 2: He wanted to protect new democracies across the globe.
Hint 3: This president made the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan.

Answer:

When there is no vision, the people perish.

Hint 1: This president was the only one to serve more than two terms.
Hint 2: His nickname was The New Dealer.
Hint 3: During his presidency, few Americans realized that he used a wheelchair.

Answer:

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

WHO SAID IT?

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they
cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they
cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
Hint 1: This president won the closest and most disputed election since 1876.
Hint 2: For the second time in American history, this man followed in his fathers footsteps by

becoming president.
Hint 3: He remained calm in the face of chaos after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Answer:

10

That is all a man can hope for during his lifetimeto set an exampleand when
he is dead, to be an inspiration for history.
Hint 1: This president oversaw the beginning and end of the Spanish-American war.
Hint 2: During his presidency, America acquired Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Hint 3: He was assassinated just over seven months into his second term.

Answer:

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

PRESIDENTIAL CURRENCY

Many prominent men and women from American history have been memorialized on the
money we use every day. Which men and women are featured on these bills and coins?

DOLLAR BILLS
$1

$20

$2

$50

$5

$100

$10

$500

DISCONTINUED DOLLAR BILLS

$1,000

$5,000

COINS
Penny

Half Dollar

Nickel

Dollar

Dime

Golden Dollar

Quarter

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

10

PRESIDENTIAL CURRENCY

HEADS OR TAILS?
Provide students with a selection of coins and
encourage them to make rubbings of these miniature presidential portraits in the appropriate slots
on their worksheets. Leave room for the images on
the coins reverse as well and help the kids identify
their historical significance.
Pennies
Lincoln, Wheat Penny, Lincoln Memorial,
and Union Shield
Nickels
Jefferson, Monticello, the Westward
Journey Series
Quarter
Washington, Bald Eagle, Bicentennial,
State Quarters, D.C. and U.S. Territories,
America the Beautiful Series
Half Dollar
JFK, Seal of the President, Independence Hall
Dollar
Susan B. Anthony, Apollo 11 Mission Insignia
Gold Dollar
Sacagawea, Eagle

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

11

WORD SEARCH
HAIL TO THE CHIEF
N
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Find these presidential terms, which can be found written up, down, forward, backward, and diagonally
in the letter grid.
American Dream
Determination
Love of Country
Founders
Cabinet
Oath
Executive Branch
Head of State
Office
Ballot
Federal
National Budget

Commander-in-Chief
Veto
Pardon
Treaty
Appointment
Electoral College
War Hero
Mr. President
The White House
Camp David
Pennsylvania Avenue
Air Force One

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

Secret Service
Ticket
Election
Nation
Vice President
Foreign Policy
Party
Democrat
Republican
Whig
First Lady

12

PRESIDENTIAL NICKNAMES

Unscramble the names of the presidents who are remembered by the following nicknames:
The Indispensable Man

SWOONGHAINTEGGER

Atlas of Independence

HONDAMAJS

Father of the Declaration

NESTJOFAMFRSHOE

of Independence
Father of the Constitution

DAMMIONSAJES

Old Man Eloquent

SMYHINQDCONUAJA

The Peoples President

WONDERCKJANSA

Old Rough and Ready

YAYCOLARZHART

The Great Emancipator

LACARBOLANHINM

The Gentleman Boss

HUSTARCHERETAR

Big Chief THAILDOFWTMAILWAR

The Progressive President

WWOOLOOWDRINS

The Great Humanitarian

BRHEEVRTHOORE

Ike EHOWGTHISWEDDINER
Red Hunter MAXHDRONICRIN
The Great Communicator

DRAGONALANER

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

13

OFFICIAL APPLICATION - UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE

WORTHY OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE

AL

Name:
Age:

TI

Training Facility:

Who is our president?

What does the president protect?

Where does the president live?

EN

Who is our vice president?

CIRCLE ONE:

ID

Who is your favorite president of all time?

YES

NF

Can you work on a team?

NO

YES

NO

Are you good at spotting trouble?

YES

NO

Will you wear dark sunglasses?

YES

NO

Do you love the U.S.A.?

YES

NO

CO

Do you listen to instructions?

TEACHERS GUIDE
ACTIVITY 1: WHO SAID IT?
1. The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.
[Answer: Thomas Jefferson]
2. The Constitution is still the object of our reverence, the bond of our Union, our defense in
danger, the source of our prosperity in peace.
[Answer: Andrew Jackson]
3. A government for the people must depend for its success on the intelligence, the morality, the
and the interest of the people themselves.
[Answer: Grover Cleveland]

justice,

4. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for youask what you can do for your
country.
[Answer: John F. Kennedy]
5. It has been the true glory of the United States to cultivate peace by observing justice.
[Answer: James Madison]
6. I have no fears for the future of our country. It is bright with hope.
[Answer: Herbert Hoover]
7. If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world, and we shall surely endanger the
welfare of this nation.
[Answer: Harry S. Truman]
8. When there is no vision, the people perish.
[Answer: Franklin Delano Roosevelt]
9. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch
the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
[Answer: George W. Bush]
10. That is all a man can hope for during his lifetimeto set an exampleand when he is dead, to be an
inspiration for history.
[Answer: William McKinley]

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

15

TEACHERS GUIDE
ACTIVITY 2: PRESIDENTIAL CURRENCY
Dollar Bills:
$1
$2
$5
$10

George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Abraham Lincoln
Alexander Hamilton

Discontinued Dollar Bills:

$1,000
Grover Cleveland
Coins:
Penny
Nickel
Dime
Quarter

Abraham Lincoln
Thomas Jefferson
Franklin D. Roosevelt
George Washington

$20
$50
$100
$500

Andrew Jackson
Ulysses S. Grant
Benjamin Franklin
William McKinley

$5,000

James Madison

Half Dollar
Dollar
Golden Dollar

John F. Kennedy
Susan B. Anthony
Sacagawea

ACTIVITY 4: PRESIDENTIAL NICKNAMES

The Invisible Man
Atlas of Independence
Father of the Declaration of Independence
Father of the Constitution
Old Man Eloquent
The Peoples President
Old Rough and Ready
The Great Emancipator
The Gentleman Boss
Big Chief
The Progressive President
The Great Humanitarian
Ike
Red Hunter
The Great Communicator

George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
John Quincy Adams
Andrew Jackson
Zachary Taylor
Abraham Lincoln
Chester A. Arthur
William Howard Taft
Woodrow Wilson
Herbert Hoover
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Richard Nixon
Ronald Reagan

SECRET SERVICE APPLICATION

As an option for younger students, provide this fun form to fill out. Take pictures of the students in dark sunglasses
to add a finishing touch to their application.

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! TEACHING + ACTIVITY GUIDE

16

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM JULIETTE TURNER

Juliette Turner takes a unique look at our founding
document and makes it relevant to kids today. Our
Constitution Rocks! is for a new generation, a reminder of
what it means to have a voice and live free. So come along
and discover Americas Constitution. Learn how those guys
in wigs came up with some of the best ideas ever. It still
matters to kids today. Find out why.
9780310734215
$15.99
Paperback
Available wherever books are sold