1. Jessica Jensen
Topic: U.S. Presidents/The White House
Grade Level: 12th
Objective: Understand the history and architecture of the White House and understand brief
elements of history regarding some of the U.S. Presidents and the First Ladies
A Presidential Journey
“Another school field trip!” Kellie says with a sigh. She and her classmates are standing in
security as they prepare to enter the White House for a tour. After proceeding through security,
the tour guide begins to speak. She hears words, but in the back of the group, she can’t really
hear what he is saying. She loses interest and begins to wander and finds herself suddenly
separated from the group. She realizes that she is lost and approaches a man with a very long
coat and a very tall hat. “Yes, young lady,” the man says as he leans over her. Kellie rubs her
eyes and says, “Are you…you…Abraham Lincoln?” The room starts to spin and Kellie can feel
herself falling toward the floor.
Start at http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/history
Read through the information listed under the actual White House photo.
1. Name the three things that the White House symbolizes.
2. What country is James Hoban from? How is he connected to the White House?
3. The White House has been on fire twice. Write as many details as possible regarding
these fires.
4. How many rooms, bathrooms, levels, doors, windows, fireplaces, staircases, and
elevators are there in the White House?
5. If a 5-gallon bucket of semi-gloss white paint costs $78.50, how many buckets do you
need to paint the exterior of the White House? How much is the total cost?
Kellie finds herself walking through the White House alone. The man who looked like Abraham
Lincoln is gone. “I really need to get more sleep,” Kellie thinks to herself. “I’m still lost,” she
mutters. Walking past a doorway, she sees a group of women standing in an oval shaped room.
“Such odd clothing…” Kellie says quietly to herself.

2. http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/history/rooms
Under the history link in the left column of the page, click on “White House Rooms.” Read
through the information about the White House’s rooms. You can click the links under the
heading to read about each one or start at the top and scroll down the page.
6. When did the Red Room receive its name and why?
7. Which First Lady utilized the Red Room for press conferences? Why was this
significant?
8. Prior to the 1902 renovations, how many people could the State Dining Room hold?
How many can it hold now?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/oval-office/
Scroll to the room labeled “The Oval Office” – at the end of the information about this room,
click on the link within the phrase “Learn More About the Oval Office.”
9. What function does the Oval Office officially serve?
10. Describe the architecture of the Oval Office.
Kellie blinks a few times as she tries to adjust her vision. “Is that an Empire gown?” she
wonders. She stares at the women and looks at their high waisted dresses. Each wears a
matching bonnet and holds a parasol in her hand. They are talking intently about some topic,
but she can’t quite understand what they’re saying. Suddenly, a man passes Kellie and pauses.
He turns and looks at her and says, “My, my, what funny clothing!” She lets out a short laugh
and says, “Funny clothing? You’re wearing stockings and knee-length breeches!” The man
chuckles back and says, “Well, I guess I am!” He then says, “Oh, Martha Wayles Skelton
Jefferson – I think we have a visitor.” Kellie feels all of her limbs freeze in place as the group of
women begins to turn toward her.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies
On the left side of the screen, there is a column of links. Click on the “First Ladies” link. On this
page, the First Ladies are separated into 18th century, 19th century, 20th century, and 21st century
sections.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/marthajefferson
Find Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson underneath the 19th century section – click on her name.
11. What qualities may have “cemented” the courtship between Thomas Jefferson and
Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson? What furnishing did Jefferson order for
Monticello for his new bride?
12. What time and date did Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson die? Why?
Note: After clicking on Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson, the first ladies will appear in a list on
the left side of the page. Their order corresponds with their husband’s order in office. (Ex:
Michelle Obama is last because Barack Obama is the last/44th president to be listed.)

3. http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/bettyford
Find Elizabeth Bloomer Ford in the list on the left side of the page - click on her name.
13. What did Betty Ford study in college? Where and at what college?
14. Betty Ford said that "…if I as First Lady could talk about it candidly and without
embarrassment, many other people would be able to as well."What is she talking
about?
15. Betty Ford supported the Equal Rights Amendment. Do you agree with it? Why or
why not? (Read the brief paragraph below about it.)
In a brief synopsis, the Equal Rights Amendment supports equal rights for men and
women under the Constitution. It states that:
A. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States
or by any state on account of sex.
B. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the
provisions of this article.
C. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/nancyreagan
Find Nancy Davis Reagan in the list on the left side of the page – click on her name.
16. When did she meet Ronald Reagan? What was he doing during this time?
17. During her time, on what problem did she focus her attention?
18. Fill-in-the-blanks: Nancy Reagan said, “The _____ have _____ because they are
right and are no less ________ today than ________.” What does this statement
mean to you? Do you agree or disagree with her?
Responding to the “fight or flight” instinct, Kellie turns and starts to run down the hall. “Miss,
miss, oh miss!” she hears a woman’s voice yelling after her. She ignores it and turns down the
next hallway she sees. She quickly stops running as she nearly knocks another man over. He’s
wearing a beige Stetson hat. He’s an older man, but his eyes twinkle and he has a friendly smile.
“Why are you running? Are you lost?” the man asks. “Are you Ronald Reagan?” Kellie asks,
stunned. The man smiles at her and says, “You’re in the White House, and it’s 1988.” Kellie
gasps. “It’s 1988?”
Beneath the navy blue bar that runs across the bar, there is a small blue link on the left side of the
page that says “Home.” Click on it, and you’ll be led to a new page. On the navy blue bar, click
“the White House.” On the new page that appears under the title “In This Section”, click
“Presidents.” The link below will be the new page URL.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents
On this page, the Presidents are separated into 18th century, 19th century, 20th century, and 21st
century sections.

4. http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/andrewjackson
Find Andrew Jackson under the 19th century – click on his name.
19. During which war, did Andrew Jackson become a national hero? How did he
become a national hero?
20. Two parties grew out of the old Republican Party during Jackson’s presidency.
What were they? Which party supported Jackson and which opposed him?
Note: After clicking on Andrew Jackson, the presidents will appear in a numbered list on the left
side of the page by number.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/abrahamlincoln
Find Abraham Lincoln on the left side of the page – he is number 16.
21. In 1858, Lincoln ran against whom for Senator? Did he win? How did this race
assist his career?
22. Lincoln stated that it was important to “bind up the nation’s wounds.” What caused
these wounds? Did Lincoln support southern succession from the nation?
23. When was Lincoln assassinated? By whom? Where?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/grovercleveland22
Find Grover Cleveland on the left side of the page – he is number 22.
24. Grover Cleveland was the only president to do what as president?
25. Cleveland asked the following question - “What is the use of being elected or re-
elected unless you stand for something?” Do you agree?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/dwightdeisenhower
Find Dwight D. Eisenhower on the left side of the page – he is number 34.
26. What was Eisenhower’s role during World War II?
27. “I like Ike” was a motto used to describe President Eisenhower during his
presidential campaign. Design a similar, short motto for yourself if you were
running for president. Be sure to include your name in some form in the motto.
28. When was Eisenhower elected for his second term?
29. “There must be no second class citizens in this country,” Eisenhower said. Analyze
this statement. Have we moved forward as a nation? Are there any second class
citizens in our country now?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewbush
Find George W. Bush on the left side of the page – he is number 43.
30. History has yet to determine the lasting impact that George W. Bush had on the
United States as its president. What do you think? What do you think Bush’s legacy
will be? Read his brief biography and list his most important act as president,
according to your own opinion. You must provide support for what you write.

5. “KELLIE! KELLIE!” he friend and fellow classmate yelled. “Where are you? Are you awake?”
Kellie suddenly realized that her name was being yelled. “What year is it?” Kellie asked. “Um,
it’s 2011,” her friend said. “Did you also see Ronald Reagan in the hallway?” Kellie
questioned. “What are you talking about?” her friend said with a puzzled look on her face. “We
just finished our tour, and you wandered off. I found you standing in the hallway with a confused
look on your face.” Kellie responded, “So, did you see Ronald Reagan?” Her friend laughed
and said, “I saw his picture, but I didn’t see the former president. He passed away in 2004.”
Kellie sighed and started to speak, but she decided to pause. “Um, I really like touring the White
House. There are so many people to meet…I mean, things to learn.” Her friend sighed and said,
“Come on, we’re off the Lincoln Monument.” “Oh, Lincoln,” Kellie thought. “He’s a rather tall
man in person.” She smiled to herself and wondered what, or rather who, she would encounter
at the monument.
Answer Key
1. Symbol of the President, the President’s administration, and the United States
2. Ireland; He was chosen to be the architect after winning a competition and beating the
other applicants.
3. The White House survived a fire at the hands of the British in 1814 (during the war of
1812) and another fire in the West Wing in 1929, while Herbert Hoover was President.
4. 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 6 levels, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases,
and 3 elevators
5. The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface. So, 570
gallons/5-gallon buckets = 114 buckets; 114 buckets X $78.50= $8949.00
6. The Red Room received its name in the 1840s from its vivid color scheme.
7. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt – These press conferences erased a social barrier because
historically, the president’s press conferences excluded women.
8. Prior to 1902, it could hold 40 people. Now, it can hold 140 people.
9. It is the official office of the President.
10. The architectural features of the Oval Office, which draw from baroque, neoclassical, and
Georgian traditions, have become symbolic of the power and prestige of the Presidency
in the minds of Americans and people across the world. There are three large south-
facing windows behind the President’s desk, as well as four doors into different parts of
the West Wing. The ceiling is adorned with an elaborate molding around the edge, and
features elements of the Seal of the President.
11. Mutual love of music; forte-piano
12. September 6 at 11:45 a.m.; weakened by frequent pregnancies
13. Modern dance, Bennington College in Vermont
14. Radical surgery for breast cancer
15. Subjective by student – However, the explanation should state if the student does or does
not support it and have support for their statement.
16. 1951 – He was president of the Screen Actors Guild.
17. Alcohol and drug abuse among young people
18. Ideals, endured, right, yesterday; subjective answer – the answer should have support.

6. 19. War of 1812, He beat the British at New Orleans.
20. Democratic Republicans or Democrats (supported him), National Republicans (opposed
Jackson)
21. Stephen A. Douglas; Lincoln lost. However, it helped him gain a national reputation that
won him the Republican nomination for President in 1860.
22. Civil War, hostilities during the Civil War; No, Lincoln thought succession was illegal.
23. April 14, 1865; John Wilkes Booth; Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.
24. He was the only president to leave the White House and return four years later.
25. Subjective - students should state whether or not they agree and support it.
26. He commanded the Allied Forces landing in North Africa in November 1942; on D-Day,
1944, he was Supreme Commander of the troops invading France.
27. Subjective – the motto should be about the student and include their name.
28. November 1956
29. Students need to answer if we have or have not moved forward as a nation. They should
answer yes or no if there are second class citizens and depending on their answer, name a
group they consider to be second class.
30. Student answer is subjective; the chosen event that is the most important from his
presidency should demonstrate that the student has read his brief biography.