James Madison, President, and Dolley Madison
Dates covered: 1751-1836
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Books:
A Picture Book of Dolley and James Madison picture book biography, level 5.5
Dolley Madison, the White House, and the Big Tornado Picture book, but with much more text and more pages than many picture books, and some text and pictures might be frightening for some children. Many people know the story of Dolley Madison, one of the first First Ladies to live in the White House, and how she saved the famous painting of George Washington as the British attacked and burned Washington, D. C. But few know what happened next. With the U.S. soldiers in retreat and Dolley fleeing, what drove the British soldiers out of the city they were intent on destroying? Was it really a tornado? Or was it something else? Mature younger to Middle students. Lexile 870. Washington, D.C.
Dolley Madison: Famous First Lady A Discovery Book Biography. A biography of the fourth president’s wife, whose accomplishments included saving valuable documents when the British burned the White House during the War of 1812. Early reader. Younger to Middle students.
Dolley Madison: First Ladies biography of the president’s wife from her childhood as a Quaker to her role in the War of 1812. Level 4.9. Middle students.
Dolley Madison: Quaker Girl, Childhood of Famous Americans series, historical fiction look at the childhood of a president’s wife. Virginia. Middle students.
Dolley Madison: Women Who Broke the Rules Many awe-inspiring women have changed the course of history. From fighting for social justice and women’s rights to discovering and shaping our amazing country, women have left an indelible mark on our past, present, and future. But it’s not easy to affect change, and these women didn’t always play by the rules to make a difference! Kathleen Krull blends history and humor in this accessible young biography series. Level 5.5. Middle students. North Carolina.
Dolley Madison: “The Enemy Cannot Frighten a Free People” As British soldiers marched toward Washington, D.C. on August 24, 1814, Dolley Madison bravely stayed at the White House waiting for her husband, President James Madison. Most residents had fled the city, but Dolley had to save important documents and valuables from the White House, including the famous painting of George Washington. Dolley left the city only hours before the British arrived. Dolley Madison had been a leading social and political figure in Washington for many years and helped to rebuild the American capital. Author Zachary Kent explores the life of this First Lady from her humble childhood to her legacy as a national hero. Older students.
Dolley Madison Saves History Graphic Novel. Tells the story of First Lady Dolley Madison’s actions during the War of 1812. Level 3.6. Younger to Middle students. Washington, D.C.
James Madison, statesman and President A biography of the man who was influential at the Constitutional Convention, served as Secretary of State under Jefferson, and became the fourth president of the United States. Middle students.
James Madison: Encyclopedia of Presidents Recounts the story of America’s fourth president, known as the Father of the Constitution, describing his early life in Virginia and his many years of service in public office. Older students.
James Madison: Fourth President 1809 – 1817 (Getting to Know the US Presidents) An introduction to the life of James Madison, a man of poor health who could not fight in the Revolutionary War but whose ideas formed the core of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and who became the nation’s fourth president. Younger to Middle students.
James Madison: Fourth President of the United States Traces the childhood, education, employment, political career, and presidency of the statesman from Virginia. Older students.
James Madison: Our Fourth President Though he was soft-spoken and small in stature, James Madison had a keen intelligence and a deep passion for his country. A co-writer of the Constitution, Madison also deftly guided the young United States through the War of 1812. Learn about his journey from sickly youth to the fourth president of the United States inside. Younger to Middle students.
James Madison: The 4th President easy reader biography. Level 3.6.
James Madison and Dolley Madison and Their Times Describes the background of the country’s fourth president and his wife and their role in the young nation’s history. Younger to Middle students.
James Madison Graphic Novel. James Madison was never one to stand out in a crowd. However, anyone who met him one-on-one was impressed by his intelligence, hard work, and persuasiveness in promoting his ideas. This graphic retelling of Madison’s life, and recount of why he is called the Father of the Constitution, will thrill readers as they get a sneak peek into the life of our nation’s fourth president—also learning of his other accomplishments and lasting legacy. Younger to Middle students.
Mr. Madison’s War The United States won its independence from Great Britain in 1783, but that didn’t mean the conflicts were over. By 1812, tensions between the two countries had reached the boiling point. Why would the United States again want to wage war on a rich and powerful country? And how would it change the young nation? Level 5.6. Younger to Middle students.
The Great Little Madison But James Madison used his quiet eloquence, intelligence, and passion for unified colonies to help shape the Constitution, steer America through the turmoil of two wars, and ensure that our government, and nation, remained intact. Longer historical fiction biography by Jean Fritz. Level 7.7. Older students.
The White House Is Burning: August 24, 1814 This “biography of a single day” captures the burning of the White House by the British during the War of 1812 from the viewpoint of the people who were there, including First Lady Dolley Madison, a British officer, and a nine-year-old slave. In the early hours before dawn, a cry went out that the British were advancing on Washington, D.C. America was two years into another war—The War of 1812. By nightfall on the 24th, British soldiers were setting fire to D.C., starting with the Navy Yard, then the Capitol, and the White House, where First Lady Dolley Madison still kept watch. Level 7.0. Older students. Washington, DC.
Washington Is Burning! The War of 1812 The historical fiction chapters of this book tell the story of Sophie Turner, one of President Madison’s black slaves. In her desire for freedom, this teenager helped First Lady Dolley Madison save a portrait of George Washington before the British burned the President’s House. Level 6.0. Middle to Older students. Washington, D.C.
Washington is Burning Fifteen-year-old Paul Jennings looked out the window of the President’s House. America was at war with Britain, and British soldiers were marching toward Washington. Terrified people were fleeing the city. But Paul was not going to join them yet. He was a slave who belonged to President Madison and his wife, Dolley. Dolley did not want to leave until her husband returned from the battlefront. Paul stayed by her side, helping her pack up official papers and belongings. Finally, they could wait no longer. But there was one more treasure they had to save. Were they too late? Early Reader. Younger to Middle students. Washington, D.C.
Coloring Pages/Drawing:
Crafts and Arts:
Lapbooks/Notebooking Pages/Unit Studies/Activity Pages/Paper Dolls/Toys/Games:
Movies/Videos/Documentaries
- James Madison, the Bill of Rights, and the War of 1812 (Encyclopedia Britannica)
- James Madison(Guess or Mess Game Show)
- James Madison – Educational Social Studies & History Video for Elementary School Students & Kids
- Otto’s Tales: Dolley Saves President Washington | PragerU Kids
Museums/Field Trips (including virtual):
- Inside James Madison’s Montpelier
- Montpelier, Montpelier Station, Virginia
Recipes:
Songs:
