Move through U.S. history chronologically with this reading and comprehension resource! With over 100 pages, your students will gain a broad understanding of U.S. history through the lens of each presidency. A reading passage is included for every U.S. president with a set of comprehension tasks. Plus you'll find short bios for every first lady to give additional context. This resource also includes a Glossary with 105+ key terms, trivia pages, and answer keys.
 
Please check out the preview and video tutorial for a closer look!
 
About this Resource:
 
Presidential Reading Passages: One-page reading passage for each president, organized chronologically, with fast facts in a sidebar and a comprehension activity.
 
Comprehension Tasks: Activities vary and include short answer, true/false, matching, crosswords, word finds, and fill-in-the-blank exercises.
 
First Lady Bios: A short biography for each first lady is included to give additional context. You will notice that some presidents have more than one first lady listed, as there were marriages, deaths, and sometimes relatives who filled in the official role.
 
Glossary with 105+ Key Terms: This is a helpful reference to strengthen vocabulary and understanding of major events and concepts. You'll find over 105 key terms that your students will encounter throughout the readings. You could even print this glossary as a stand-alone desk reference.
 
Trivia: A fun recap after every 10th president. The trivia pages are a great recap to check for understanding.
 
Answer Keys: Answer keys are provided at the end of the resource for all of the comprehension tasks and trivia pages.
 
Ways to Use this Resource:
 
Bell Work: Print the entire workbook to use daily. Students can read, annotate, look up glossary terms, and complete the comprehension task. (Annotation strategy sheet included!)
Unit Supplement: Print only the pages that align with your current unit of study.
Small Groups or Independent Reading: Assign the passages for guided reading or independent work.
Research: Use the pages as a starting point for your students to do further research about the presidents.
Homework: Send a weekly packet home for daily practice.
 
Standards Alignment:
Washington State Social Studies Standards:
H1: Understands history chronologically
Enduring Understanding: Knows that the study of chronology is necessary for understanding cultures, global connections, and historical events.
 
H2: Understands and analyzes causal factors that have shaped major events in history
Enduring Understanding: Knows that history is a series of connected events shaped by multiple cause-and-effect relationships, linking past to present.
 
H3: Understands that there are multiple perspectives and interpretations of historical events.
Enduring Understanding: Understands that historical events can be interpreted differently by different individuals, families, and communities.
 
Presidential Reading Passage for Every President:
George Washington | 1789-1797
John Adams | 1797-1801
Thomas Jefferson | 1801-1809
James Madison | 1809-1817
James Monroe | 1817-1825
John Quincy Adams | 1825-1829
Andrew Jackson | 1829-1837
Martin Van Buren | 1837-1841
William Henry Harrison | 1841
John Tyler | 1841-1845
James K. Polk | 1845-1849
Zachary Taylor | 1849-1850
Millard Fillmore | 1850-1853
Franklin Pierce | 1853-1857
James Buchanan | 1857-1861
Abraham Lincoln | 1861-1865
Andrew Johnson | 1865-1869
Ulysses S. Grant | 1869-1877
Rutherford B. Hayes | 1877-1881
James A. Garfield | 1881
Chester A. Arthur | 1881-1885
Grover Cleveland | 1885-1889 / 1893-1897
Benjamin Harrison | 1889-1893
William McKinley | 1897-1901
Theodore Roosevelt | 1901-1909
William Howard Taft | 1909-1913
Woodrow Wilson | 1913-1921
Warren G. Harding | 1921-1923
Calvin Coolidge | 1923-1929
Herbert Hoover | 1929-1933
Franklin D. Roosevelt | 1933-1945
Harry S. Truman | 1945-1953
Dwight D. Eisenhower | 1953-1961
John F. Kennedy | 1961-1963
Lyndon B. Johnson | 1963-1969
Richard M. Nixon | 1969-1974
Gerald R. Ford | 1974-1977
Jimmy Carter | 1977-1981
Ronald Reagan | 1981-1989
George H.W. Bush | 1989-1993
William J. Clinton | 1993-2001
George W. Bush | 2001-2009
Barack Obama | 2009-2017
Donald J. Trump | 2017-2021 / 2025-
Joseph R. Biden Jr. | 2021-2025
 
Save hundreds of hours of prep time with this ready-to-go resource!
Please be sure to check out the preview for a closer look!