Kindergarden Read - Aloud

Presidents and American Symbols: Supplemental Guide 1B | The Home of the President: Washington, D.C. 29

Extensions 15 minutes

Sayings and Phrases: A Dog Is Man’s Best Friend

Note: Proverbs are short, traditional sayings that have been passed

along orally from generation to generation. These sayings usually

express general truths based on experiences and observations of

everyday life. Although some proverbs do have literal meanings—that

is, they mean exactly what they say—many proverbs have a richer

meaning beyond the literal level. It is important to help students

understand the difference between the literal meanings of the words

and their implied, or figurative, meanings.

 Show image 1A-6: Bo Obama portrait

• Remind students that when the president is elected and moves into
  the White House, he or she brings his or her family, including the
  family pet. The pet is often a dog.


• Ask students: “Who does this dog belong to? Do you remember
  the dog’s name?” Call on volunteers to answer. Remind them that
  when President Obama became president, he adopted a dog for his
  daughters, named Bo.


• Ask students if they have ever heard anyone say “a dog is man’s best
  friend.”


• Have students repeat, a dog is man’s best friend, with you three
  times.


• Explain to students that dogs are often very loyal, or faithful—and
  will stay loyal to their owners no matter what happens. Because they
  are so loyal, they are like their owner’s best friend. The saying “a
  dog is man’s best friend” explains one reason why dogs, such as Bo
  Obama, are such popular pets, even for presidents.


• Ask students if any of them have dogs as pets and whether they
  consider their dog their best friend.

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