Barack Obama was born on 4th August 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents were called Ann and Barack. Barack s mother was from Kansas in the USA and his father was from Kenya in Africa. Following his parents divorce, Barack s father moved back to Kenya and his mother married a man from Indonesia called Lolo. At the age of 6, Barack, his mother and new stepfather moved to Indonesia. Aged 10, Barack returned to Hawaii to live with his grandmother, nicknamed Toot, and his grandfather. Barack attended a school called Punahuo, where he enjoyed playing basketball. In 1981, Barack moved to New York to study politics at the University of Columbia. Following his graduation, Barack worked for a time in Chicago. Barack s father tragically died in a car crash in 1982 and in 1988, Barack took a trip to his father s birthplace, Kenya. Here he met his African stepgrandmother, Sarah Obama, and many other relatives. In 1991, Barack graduated from Harvard Law School. He worked for a while as a lawyer and then a professor. In 1992, Barack married Michelle Robinson, a lawyer from Chicago. They went on to have two girls, Malia and Sasha. Michelle was later to become the First Lady of the United States. In 1996 became a senator for Illinois. In November 2008, he was elected the first African American President of the United States. Barack was sworn into office on 20th January 2009. Barack and his family now live in the Whitehouse in Washington DC, USA. Barack is the 44th President of the United States. www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2010 13569 Page 1 of 8
1. Who is Barack Obama? 2. When was Barack Obama born? 3. Where was Barack Obama born? 4. What were Barack Obama s parents called? 5. Where was Barack Obama s father born? 6. What number President is Barack Obama? 7. Who did Barack Obama marry in 1992? 8. Where do Barack Obama and his family live now? 9. What makes Barack Obama different to all the previous presidents? 10. What was the name of the school in Hawaii where Barack Obama enjoyed playing basketball? 11. Name Barack Obama s two children. www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2010 13569 Page 2 of 8
ANSWERS 1. Who is Barack Obama? The President of the United States. 2. When was Barack Obama born? 4 th August 1961. 3. Where was Barack Obama born? Honolulu, Hawaii. 4. What were Barack Obama s parents called? Ann and Barack. 5. Where was Barack Obama s father born? Kenya, Africa. 6. What number President is Barack Obama? The 44 th. 7. Who did Barack Obama marry in 1992? Michelle Robinson. 8. Where do Barack Obama and his family live now? The White House, Washington DC, USA. 9. What makes Barack Obama different to all the previous presidents? He is the first African American President of the United States. 10. What was the name of the school in Hawaii where Barack Obama enjoyed playing basketball? Punahuo. 11. Name Barack Obama s two children. Malia and Sasha. www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2010 13569 Page 3 of 8
Carry out some research on the internet. Find pictures to enter into the presidential gallery. Barack Obama as a child President Barack Obama Step-grandmother Sarah Obama Barack Obama Senior The Whitehouse, Washington DC Barack, Michelle and the girls Barack s mother Ann Barack Obama in Hawaii www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2010 13569 Page 4 of 8
Draw or paste in the flags for each of these countries. Find out two facts about each country and write them down. 1. 2. Kenya 1. 2. Indonesia 1. 2. USA 1. 2. Hawaii www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2010 13569 Page 5 of 8
ANSWERS Kenya Indonesia USA Hawaii www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2010 13569 Page 6 of 8
Write a short autobiography about yourself. You should include the following points: name date of birth place of birth where you live / have lived what schools you attended significant events in your life hobbies and interests. My picture www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2010 13569 Page 7 of 8
1. Make a family tree of Barack Obama s relatives, and / or make one for your own family. 2. Design a poster persuading people to vote for you as president. 3. Make a timeline of significant events in the life of Barack Obama. 4. Make a list of all 44 presidents of the USA and the years they were in office. 5. Research the significance of Barack Obama in terms of him being the first African American President. 6. Find out the meanings of the following key words and phrases: First Lady graduated stepfather divorced elected politics lawyer sworn in President 7. Write a letter to the President about an issue you feel strongly about. 8. Find out the middle name of Barack Obama. www.teachitprimary.co.uk 2010 13569 Page 8 of 8