The National Constitution Center Highlights The American Presidency
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Presidents' Day is next week, but there's some hands-on history taking place this week at the National Constitution Center.
This event gives home-schooled children and their families highlights of the American presidency.
Huyen Ta, senior manager of student programs at the Constitution Center, says the students -- in two groups, ages 6-9 and 10-14 -- are learning about how the men who became president grew up, and how it shaped their presidency.
The program focuses on George Washington during Colonial times, Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, and Ronald Reagan in more recent times.
Eleven-year old Lucas was fascinated to learn that all presidents throughout history had to learn the art of compromise.
"Presidents had to give in to be president," he said. "Like, if they wanted tax cuts but nobody wanted it, sometimes they did a little less tax cuts because they wanted the votes to be president."
Fourteen-year old Laycie's favorite president so far is Franklin D. Roosevelt. She says, "I thought it was cool that he ran for a third and fourth term."
But she's in favor the two-term limit that's in place. She says, " I think it's better that way. We don't want someone growing too old in time, or changing their ideas."
Home-schoolers also checked out the center's exhibitions, including Signers' Hall and the production, Freedom Rising.
Another Home school Week is planned for mid-June, just before Independence Day activities. The workshops will concentrate on how it all came together for the Founding Fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence.
