(upbeat music) Good morning, kiddos.

I'm sorry to say Miss House couldn't come today, so George Washington is stepping in for her.

I'm just kidding.

It's me, Miss House.

I'm just in a costume.

In fact, I was just on vacation and I visited Mt.

Rushmore.

It's an awesome landmark where some of our most notable presidents faces have been carved.

It looks like this.

It's located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and it's really a sight to see.

The four presidents that are featured on Mount Rushmore are George Washington, which is what I'm dressed up as right now.

In fact, I got this costume there at Mt.

Rushmore.

Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.

I couldn't help but wonder, why were those four presidents chosen to be carved into that mountain?

Was it because their time as president changed our nation and maybe they left a lasting impact?

So I did some research, and here's what I found.

George Washington was our very first president.

He was important to our country because he led the colonists in the American Revolution and he helped America gain its freedom from Great Britain.

He is known as the father of our country, and he helped to establish our democracy as we now know it.

He was passionate about our national freedom as well as our individual liberties.

Now, Thomas Jefferson was our third president.

He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, which made our country officially free from the rule of Great Britain.

He also initiated the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of our country and added in 15 more states, including Arkansas.

He was passionate about political and religious freedom and educational opportunities.

Abraham Lincoln was our 16th president, and he is renowned for holding our country together during its greatest challenge, the Civil War.

The Civil War was a time in history where Americans were in war against each other based mainly on their beliefs about slavery.

11 of our states separated themselves to establish their own government.

And Lincoln's primary goal was to end this war and unite our country together again.

His actions also led to the abolishment of slavery, which gave African-Americans the possibility of social and civil freedoms.

He was passionate about freedom for all Americans.

Theodore Roosevelt was our 26th president.

He is known for our leadership as America entered the 20th century and faced rapid economic growth.

He helped to negotiate the creation of the Panama Canal, which allowed Americans to travel from east to west quicker.

And it promoted trade.

He created the U.S. Forest Service and established five of our national parks.

He was passionate about conserving the land and protecting the wildlife of America.

It's clear to see how these four men helped shape our country and why they were chosen to be displayed on this monument.

Each one had a part in making our country what it is today, and we are so thankful for their lasting impact.

How can you be like one of these leaders today?

What are you passionate about that could help our state or our country and make it just a little bit better?

Do you care about other people?

All other people?

Are you passionate about maybe helping others?

How can you change something you do today to be like one of our former presidents?

Thanks for joining me and I hope you'll come back for more learning with George Washington and Miss House on another day.

(patriotic music) (upbeat music) Let's show 'em.

Science and reading skills, math and art, color wheels.

Let's go to class.

It's a blast!

You're a great student so we know that you can do it.

Rise and shine.

Get up off your feet.

Ah, ooo, ooo.

It's time to rise and shine.