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My Own Oval Office

What would it be like to live in the White House? Student will research the President's living quarters and work area. They will create a miniature replica of how the Oval Office would look if they were president.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Heavy Paper
  • Paper
  • Recycled Cardboard Box

Steps

  • Step 1

    Have students research the White House. When was it built? What was it originally called? Who was the first president to live there? What happened to it during the War of 1812? What is its official address? How many rooms does it have? What are some of the rooms' functions (for example, the Situation Room, the Cabinet Room, the Oval Office, the Lincoln Bedroom, etc.)? Then ask them to research how various presidents decorated the Oval Office. For example, Barack Obama used a color scheme of red, blue, and shades of off-white. George H.W. Bush used a more muted color scheme and displayed a scale model of the HMS Resolute, a historic ship.

  • Step 2

    Have students imagine that they become President of the United States. What would be their platform? How would they lead the country? What changes would they make? How would they decorate the Oval Office? Have them look at images of the office under various presidents.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to create a miniature diorama of the Oval Office and add personal décor touches. They can stand an open box on its side to use as a base, then paint the background on paper and glue it into the box. They can create additional features, such as rugs, desk and chair, sofa, and other adornments, out of paper and Model Magic.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their miniature replicas and explain why they chose to decorate it in this manner and what they would hope to achieve as president.

Standards

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Read, reconstruct, and interpret the past. Imagine the future. Place oneself in various times and spaces and reflect on change. 

SS: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions: Examine various institutions that affect one’s life and influence people’s thinking and how they advocate for ideas they believe in. 

Adaptations

Have students investigate the residences of other world leaders. Suggestions might include 10 Downing Street in London, England; the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico; Number 1 Lambermont Street in Brussels, Belgium; etc.

In its early days, the White House, "The People's House," was open to the public. It was supposed to stand in contrast to the imperious English monarchy, which guarded its king and queen and separated them from the people. Have students investigate when and why this practice changed. How was the president initially guarded? How did WWI and WWII affect entry to the White House?