The White House

Create a replica of the U.S. White House! Learn about the building's history, architecture, and its famous occupant's role in U.S. government.

• 1.

  Research information about the branch of government that is centered in the U.S. White House. What are the roles of the president and cabinet? Contrast those roles with those of members of congress, who meet in the U.S. Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court.

• 2.

  Learn about the architecture, various sections and wings, floor plan, and entrances and lawn of the White House. Select a portion of the building to make a three-dimensional model. These directions are for the North entrance. Use your own ideas as well when you create this or other areas of the building.

• 3.

  With Crayola® Scissors, cut cardboard into the round shape of the pool on the north lawn. To form pillars, cut six cardboard tubes up their sides. Roll them and keep the pillars tight with masking tape.

• 4.

  Cover your work area with recycled newspaper. Using Crayola Tempera Paint and Paint Brushes, paint two pieces of cardboard white to use for the White House and portico. Paint the pillars white. Paint the bottom of a box lid green to resemble the lawn. Paint the pool and a sheet of construction paper blue to use for windows. Paint several cotton swabs or craft sticks black for the fence. Dry.

• 5.

  <b>Pool and flowers</b> Using Crayola School Glue, attach the pool to the middle of the lawn. With Crayola Model Magic create flowers growing around the pool.

• 6.

  <b>Building</b> Cut a large piece of the white cardboard in the shape of the White House. Draw the roof, chimneys, and railings with Crayola Fine Tip Markers. Glue the building to the side of the lawn.

• 7.

  <b>Windows and door</b> Using Crayola Colored Pencils, draw windows on the blue paper. Cut them out and glue them to the White House in two rows. Create a front door in the same manner and glue it into place.

• 8.

  <b>Portico</b> Cut a piece of white cardboard to form a portico that extends from the building. Glue the pillars to the front and sides of the portico. Glue the back of the portico to the White House roof. Dry.

• 9.

  <b>Shrubs</b> With Crayola Crayons, color coffee filters various shades of green to make shrubs. Then run streaks of green and yellow Crayola Washable Markers through them. Spray the filters with water to blend colors so they look more realistic. Dry. Stu

• 10.

  <b>Fence</b> Glue the painted cotton swab fence together. Use chenille sticks or craft sticks for crossbars. Place a coil of Model Magic around the lawn and push the fence into it. For more support, add glue.

• 11.

  <b>Flag</b> On white paper, use Crayola Fabric Crayons to create and color a U.S. flag. Use a heavy layer of crayon so it will transfer well. Remember to draw and color the flag in reverse so that when ironed it will come out correctly. On a flat surface

Benefits

• Students recognize the White House as a symbol of the United States and its democratic government.
• Students are able to distinguish between the functions of the branches of government that are located in the White House, U.S. Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court.
• Students create an accurate three-dimensional replica of a portion of the White House.

Adaptations

• Research how the White House structure has changed over the years. What major events have taken place there? Where else has the U.S. President lived? Why?
• Work in a team to build a complete replica of the entire White House complex. Make small labels to identify each area. Or make a doll-house view from the side. Decorate the interior as it is now, or was in previous administrations.
• Collect information on how the Oval Office has looked when different presidents held office. Create your own Oval Office, putting in what you think is important and that reflects your hobbies and interests.