Teaching Theodore Roosevelt: Elementary School Resources (Grades 3-5)

Core Concepts for Elementary Students

When teaching Roosevelt to elementary students, focus on these key ideas:

• Roosevelt was a naturalist: He loved studying animals and plants, writing about nature, and protecting wild places. Students can relate to his curiosity about the natural world.
• He was an explorer and adventurer: Roosevelt traveled to remote places, went on hunting trips, and had exciting experiences. His sense of adventure appeals to young people.
• He was a reader and writer: Roosevelt wrote many books and articles. Even as president, he spent time reading. This models the value of literacy for students.
• He believed in being active and healthy: Roosevelt exercised constantly, went horseback riding, and played sports. He believed that taking care of our bodies was important.
• He protected nature: Roosevelt created national parks and forests so that beautiful places would be preserved for the future. This teaches students about conservation and environmental responsibility.
• He was president: Roosevelt's presidency and the offices he held show students how people can work in government and make decisions that affect many people.

The Teddy Bear Story: An Engaging Entry Point

One of the most charming stories about Roosevelt is the origin of the teddy bear. During a hunting trip in Mississippi in 1902, Roosevelt's hunting party had cornered a bear. Rather than kill an exhausted animal, Roosevelt refused to shoot it. A cartoonist drew a picture of Roosevelt with a young bear, and a toy maker created a stuffed bear, calling it the "Teddy Bear" after the president's nickname. This story engages students because it shows Roosevelt's compassion for animals, connects to a toy they may know and love, and demonstrates how one person's actions can inspire something that becomes part of popular culture.

Activity: Have students draw or write about what the teddy bear means to them. Why do they think Roosevelt refused to kill the bear? What does that tell us about his character? Students could also research how teddy bears are made today and compare that to how the first ones were made.

Activity: Keeping a Nature Journal Like Young Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt kept detailed journals about nature throughout his life. As a young person, he observed and drew pictures of birds, animals, and plants. Students can do something similar.

Materials Needed: Notebook or journal, colored pencils, access to outdoor space (yard, park, or schoolyard)

Instructions:

1. Take students outside to observe nature. They might go to a park, a schoolyard, or even a street with trees.
2. Have students spend 15-20 minutes observing and recording what they see. They can draw pictures, write descriptions, or both.
3. They should try to notice details: What color are the leaves? What sounds do the birds make? What insects do they see? How do the animals move?
4. Back in the classroom, have students share their observations. Create a class nature journal combining all the observations.
5. Discuss how Roosevelt's journals helped him learn about nature. How does keeping their own journal help students notice things they might otherwise miss?

Activity: The "Strenuous Life" Challenge

Roosevelt believed in the "strenuous life"—being active, strong, and vigorous. He exercised constantly and encouraged others to do the same. Students can explore what "strenuous" means and think about how being active helps us.

Discussion Questions:

• What do you think "strenuous" means? (Vigorous, energetic, requiring effort)
• What activities do you do that are strenuous? (Running, playing sports, climbing, dancing)
• Why do you think Roosevelt thought being active was important?
• How do you feel after you've been active? Does it make you feel different?

Activity: Create a "Strenuous Life" chart. Students list activities they enjoy that involve physical activity. Then they can set a goal for being more active (playing outside more, trying a new sport, taking walks) and track their progress for a week.

Activity: Letter Writing with Roosevelt

Roosevelt wrote wonderful letters, including many to his children. He would tell them about his adventures, ask about what they were learning, and share his thoughts about nature and life. Students can read some of Roosevelt's letters to his children and then write their own letters modeled on his style.

Roosevelt Letter Examples (simplified excerpts):

"Dear Kermit, I have been thinking about you. Have you been reading those books I recommended? I am reading a book about birds, and I have seen the most beautiful hawk today..."

Activity:

1. Share a few short excerpts from Roosevelt's letters to his children (letters are available at the Theodore Roosevelt Center and other archives).
2. Discuss what makes these letters interesting: Roosevelt tells stories, asks questions, shares his feelings, and encourages his children to learn and be active.
3. Have students write a letter to a family member or friend. Encourage them to include: something they've observed or learned recently, a question they're curious about, something they did that they're proud of, and an encouragement for the person they're writing to.
4. Students can mail the letters or share them in class.

Activity: National Parks and Conservation

Theodore Roosevelt protected many of America's most beautiful natural places. He created national parks like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite (though Yosemite's protection began before his presidency). Students can learn about these special places and why protecting them matters.

Activity:

1. Show students pictures of national parks Roosevelt protected (these are beautiful images available online).
2. Discuss: What do these places look like? Why do you think they're special? What would it mean if these places were developed or damaged? How would it feel if future generations couldn't visit them?
3. Have students choose a natural place that's special to them (a park, a beach, a forest, a favorite tree, etc.) and create a poster about why it should be protected.
4. Discuss simple ways students can help protect nature: reducing trash, planting trees, not polluting water, treating animals kindly.

Activity: Make Your Body Discussion

Roosevelt talked about taking care of your body through exercise, healthy eating, and rest. This is a good opportunity to discuss health and wellness in age-appropriate ways.

Discussion and Activity:

1. Ask students: What does it mean to take care of your body? (Eating healthy food, exercising, sleeping enough, staying clean)
2. Have students keep a "Health Habits" chart for a week, noting: what they ate, how much they exercised, how much they slept, how they felt.
3. Discuss: Did you notice any connection between your habits and how you felt? Did you have more energy on days when you exercised? Feel better when you slept enough?
4. Set goals for healthy habits: more time outside, trying a new sport, eating more vegetables, getting enough sleep.