24 Presidents and American Symbols: Supplemental Guide 1A | The Home of the President: Washington, D.C.
Where does the president of the United States live?- The president lives in Washington, D.C.
Show image 1A-5: White House
If you visited Washington, D.C., today, you would be able to see the
White House. The White House is the house where the president
lives.
The president moves into the White House when he or she becomes
president and then moves out when the next president is elected—
or chosen. Not only does the president live in the White House, but
the president’s family also lives there. Even their pets come with
them to live in the White House! Show image 1A-6: Bo Obama portrait
Meet Bo! Bo lives with President Barack Obama and his family.
When President Obama was elected—or chosen—to be president,
he promised his daughters they could get a dog to live with them in
the White House. President Obama’s daughters enjoy playing outside
with Bo. Show image 1A-7: Oval Office
The president doesn’t just live in the White House; the president
works there, too. The president’s office has a special name. It’s
called the Oval Office. Sometimes when we see the president
speaking to us on television, he is speaking from the Oval Office.[Draw a shape of an oval on the board.]
Can you think of why it is called the Oval Office? Show image 1A-3: Founding Fathers writing the Constitution
Long ago, when the United States first became a nation, the
Founding Fathers—who were important people who helped to start
this country—decided that they did not want a king. They did not want
this nation to be ruled by a king or queen. They wanted a president.A king or queen becomes the ruler by birth—that means their father was
king or mother was queen. But a president is elected—or chosen—by
the people. Once a person becomes king, he stays the king for the rest
of his life. However, an elected U.S. president can only be president for
four years. Then the people vote for a president again.