Description

A Presidents Day Unit for Ages K–12

American history didn’t happen only in government buildings—it happened in fields, barns, kitchens, and rural communities. Presidents & the Plow is a Presidents’ Day unit that explores U.S. history through agriculture, leadership, and everyday life, helping students understand how the land and food systems shaped the nation.

This unit introduces ten U.S. presidents whose lives and leadership were deeply influenced by farming, rural upbringing, conservation, food policy, or agricultural systems. Students learn how real-world challenges—soil care, crop failures, market risks, innovation, and food access—played a role in shaping leadership decisions and American history.

Written in a non-political, historically grounded way, this unit focuses on agriculture as a shared human experience. Lessons move beyond memorization and invite meaningful discussion, critical thinking, and connection to modern life.

Designed with leveled activities for kindergarten through 12th grade, families and classrooms can learn together while adapting the work for different ages and abilities.

What’s Included

• 10 engaging lessons centered on U.S. presidents and agriculture

• Leveled workbook sections for K–12 learning

• Discussion prompts that connect history to modern food systems and rural life

• Flexible structure for homeschool, co-ops, and classrooms

What Students Will Learn

• How agriculture shaped the character and leadership of U.S. presidents

• The role of farming in American independence, expansion, and stability

• How rural life and food systems influence communities and economies

• Connections between historical agriculture and modern food choices

• Appreciation for the people and systems that feed the nation

How to Use This Unit

• Complete one lesson per week or use as a Presidents’ Day mini-course

• Read lessons aloud and complete age-appropriate activities

• Adapt easily for multi-age families, co-ops, or classroom settings

Presidents & the Plow helps students see presidents not just as political figures—but as people shaped by the land, the food they depended on, and the rural communities they came from.