Randel McGee - Paper Crafts for Presidents Day

A TIME TO HONOR THE PRESIDENTS... AND TO CREATE!

Can you imagine yourself as president of the United States? Create your own presidential portrait and presidential seal! Build a log cabin coin bank! Make presidents' busts using eggshells and paper! Follow storyteller Randel McGee as he explores Presidents' Day in Paper Crafts for Presidents' Day !

Learn about Presidents Day as you follow directions to create interesting crafts. Remember, one of you may be president one day."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Randel McGee is a storyteller, puppeteer, ventriloquist, and paper-cutting artist. He performs all over the world, sharing his paper-cutting stories with children and adults.

When the United States of America won its independence from Great Britain, the people wanted a new form of government to lead their new country. Instead of a king who was born into the royal ruling family like they had under British rule, the citizens of the new country decided to have a president who was elected, or chosen, by the people. A president does not make laws, but he or she has the responsibility to see that laws are carried out and that the government runs effectively. He or she is the commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States and represents the country to foreign governments.

George Washington had been the commanding general of the American army in the Revolutionary War. The American people elected him to be their first president. He was sworn into office on April 30, 1789. He served for eight years. He has been called the father of our country due to his lifelong service to the country fighting for its independence, establishing its government, and leading its people. The new capital city for the United States of America was called Washington in his honor. He was so well liked by the American people that even during his presidency, his birthday, February 22, was celebrated as a holiday in many states.

Many men have served as president since Washingtons time. All of them have been men who were dedicated to their country, its laws, and its people. They have come from different backgrounds and have served their countrymen and women in many ways before becoming president. After serving as president, many have returned to their previous careers or continued to serve in other ways.

In 1971, President Richard Nixon issued a declaration making the third Monday in February a national holiday celebrating Washingtons birthday. However, it was called Presidents Day by many states and businesses who wanted to use the day to honor not only President Washington, but all the presidents who had served their country. In the United States today, Presidents Day is a day when most national, state, and local government offices and public schools are closed. The crafts in this book can be made before or during Presidents Day to help you remember the great men who have served our country.

AUTHORS NOTE: Many of the materials used in making these crafts may be found by using recycled paper products. The author uses such recycled items as cereal boxes and similar packaging for light cardboard, manila folders for card stock paper, leftover pieces of wrapping paper, and so forth. This not only reduces the cost of the projects but is also a great way to reuse and recycle paper. Be sure to ask an adult for permission before using any recycled paper products.

The projects in this book were created for this particular holiday. However, I invite readers to be imaginative and find new ways to use the ideas in this book to create different projects of their own. Please feel free to share pictures of your work with me through www.mcgeeproductions.com. Happy Crafting!

America has always prided itself as a land of opportunity, where anyone can succeed with hard work and determination. Americans often point to the fact that even a poor person who lived in a roughly made log cabin could become a success. Several men who became president, such as Andrew Jackson, Millard Fillmore, Abraham Lincoln, and James Garfield, started life in log cabins. This log cabin bank can hold coins with pictures of presidents on them. Can you name the presidents on the coins?

1. Use a pencil and tracing paper to transfer the cabin pattern on to light cardboard and cut it out. Make two pieces.

2. Use a pencil and tracing paper to transfer the chimney pattern on to construction paper and cut it out.

3. For the roof, use a ruler to measure out a rectangle from card stock that is 6 x 5 inches. Cut a coin slot into the roof.

4. Use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to decorate the cabin with log sides, doors, window frames, or other features. Decorate the chimney and roof as you wish.

5. Fold the cabin pattern along the fold lines of the pattern to form the corners of the cabin. Tape the edges of the walls together to form the cabin.

6. Fold the roof piece in half width-wise. Tape the roof to the top of the log cabin.

7. Tape the open side of the chimney closed. Tape the chimney in place on the roof.

8. Tape the whole house onto a sheet of construction paper.

In 1800, writer Mason L. Weems told the story of how young George Washington had chopped down his fathers prized cherry tree with his new hatchet. When the father asked who had cut down the tree, the young boy admitted that he had. The father was proud of his sons honesty. The story became famous; however, Mr. Weems made the story up.

In 1912, Japan donated 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C., to decorate the parks and lawns in the capital. Each year the city celebrates the beautiful blossoming of these trees.

1. Use a pencil and tracing paper to transfer the tree trunk pattern to a piece of brown construction paper and the base pattern to green construction paper. See for the patterns.