This blog post includes resources regarding the 1st Grade Social Studies SOL on American leaders and their contributions to the United States, specifically, the life of Eleanor Roosevelt (VA SOL 1.2).This post includes five different books that are great for the first grade level. These books provide the teachers and students with great information about this amazing first lady. The blog also includes five kid-friendly websites and five extra teacher-specific resources. I hope these books and websites are helpful in teaching a lesson(s) about the great Eleanor Roosevelt!BOOKS Eleanor (Picture Puffins)Written and Illustrated by Barbara Cooney
This book, written by the award-winningauthor Barbara Cooney, is a storybook biography about Eleanor Roosevelt’s childhood and all of the hardships she had to deal with, such as being orphaned at the age of nine and being made fun of for being unattractive. This book also briefly illustrates some of her achievements that she made later in life. This is a great book to use when introducing this great American leader.A Picture Book of Eleanor RooseveltWritten by David A. Adler & Illustrated by Robert Cassilla
This biography provides great insight into Eleanor Roosevelt’s life. Key parts of her life are highlighted and written in a way that is easy to understand and great for early elementary schoolers. The pictures are beautiful watercolors and make the book very enjoyable to read aloud to students.
Stateswoman to the World: A Story About Eleanor Roosevelt
Written by Maryann N. Weidt & Illustrated by Lydia M. Anderson
This book is fictional in the beginning, but ends up being a biography summing up her strict childhood and life as the first lady. It includes quotes from primary sources, such as letters. The black and white drawings are a great addition to this informative book about the great Eleanor Roosevelt.
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Photo- Illustrated Biography
By Lucille Davis
This biography explains the amazing life storyof Eleanor and her huge influence on human rights.
Eleanor Roosevelt
By Sally Lee
This biography illustrates Mrs. Roosevelt’s childhood, education, and life as the first lady and all that she accomplished. Kids will really enjoy this book because of the great photographs.
WEBSITES
Kids Konnect: Eleanor Roosevelt
http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/21-people/141-roosevelt-eleanor.html
This website is very kid-friendly and includes many important dates and facts starting from her childhood through until after President Roosevelt died.
Dear Mrs. Roosevelt
http://newdeal.feri.org/eleanor/index.htm
This website includes examples of letters written by thousands of young people during the Great Depression. Many sent Mrs. Roosevelt requests, asking for clothing, food, and other forms of assistance. This website is very informative and helps the students to understand what it was like during the Great Depression, while Mrs. Roosevelt was the First Lady.
US History Webquest: Eleanor Roosevelt
http://teacher.scholastic.com/webquest/ushist/useroos.htm
This Webquest is fun and helps the students master the material. It was created for grades 4 and up and is very informative and forces the students to work together and come up with their own opinions and impressions from a radio program and photographs.
Eleanor Roosevelt Online Quiz
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz2713331f10860.html
This quiz includes questions regarding facts about Eleanor Roosevelt. Students may work alone or in groups to complete this short 10 question quiz. This can be used as a form of summative or formative assessment.
A Student’s Summary of Eleanor Roosevelt’s Life
http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/pges/instruction/kid-pages/women/eleanorroosevelt.html
This great and short summary will definitely help the students to easily understand the great Eleanor Roosevelt and her life. It includes important facts and dates that would be very helpful for students learning about this First Lady.
ADDITIONAL TEACHER RESOURCESLesson Plans- Eleanor Roosevelt http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/lesson-plans/eleanor-everywhere1.cfmThis website offers a handful of very helpful lessons, this one in particular is great for younger primary school students. This lesson compares the popular picture book series, Olivia, to Eleanor Roosevelt. It is a very fun and interesting way to teach the material that the students will love.Lesson Plan: A Leader Who Helps People http://www.nps.gov/archive/elro/teach-er-vk/lesson-plans/eleanor-everywhere2.htmThis website provides a series of great lesson plans regarding the great Eleanor Roosevelt. This lesson, in particular, includes a few of the books that are listed above. This is the perfect lesson to use when introducing this material to the students.Who is Eleanor Roosevelt?http://www.nps.gov/archive/elro/who-is-er/index.htmThis website helps the teachers to get a better grasp on this American leader. There are many sections to this site such as: biographical essays, Q&A’s, quotations, and a glossary.Lesson Planet- Eleanor Roosevelt Lesson Planshttp://www.lessonplanet.com/search?grade=1st&keywords=+eleanor+roosevelt&media=lessonLesson Planet is a great resource that provides ten lesson plans regarding Eleanor Roosevelt. This site is very helpful for teachers who need to find some fun and interactive activities dealing with this well-known American leader.Youtube Video- Eleanor Roosevelt Storyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcELCm265AYThis five minute video clip sums up Eleanor Roosevelt’s life and is very helpful for both teachers and students when learning and/or getting ready to teach a lesson on Mrs. Roosevelt.