Text Leveling System

Presidential Pets

RDQ:	2660	Max Word/Sent	32	Total Words	2950		Diff Words	980
Lex	1000	Ave Word/.Sent	11	Hi Freq occurs	1557	52.8%	Hi freq	280	28.6%
AR	6.1	Long Sentences	11	Low Freq occurs	425	14.4%	Low freq	273	27.9%

Many of our presidents
Owned several pets
That history books
Sometimes forget.
Yes, they had dogs,
Cats, fish, and birds,
But several of them
Owned pets more absurd.
Bear cubs, for instance,
Lived at the White House.
One president even
Had a pet mouse!
Goats, cows, raccoons,
Horses galore,
Turkeys and snakes,
A parrot that swore!
So turn the page
If you want to hear more ...]]
George Washington
A friend from France sent George some hounds
Dogs of good breed that were sure to astound.
Unfortunately for George, he asked his friend John
To escort the hounds
On the boat into town.
The dogs behaved badly
On the boat ride home, 
so John left them all 
at the harbor alone.
Presidential stats
term: 1789 0 1797
first lady: Martha Dandridge Curtis Washington.
Vice president: John Adams.
Political party: federalist.
Born: February 22, 1732 (Westmoreland County, virginia).
Died: December 14, 1799 (Mount Vernon, Virginia).
Occupation before presidency: plantation farmer, general and commander in chief of the continental army, president of the constitutional convention.
Nickname: the father of his country.
Tell me more!
A young John Quincy Adams our sixth president was the hounds escort. We don't know if Washington ever forgave John for leaving them at the New York harbor. They were eventually found.
Washington crossed the dogs with his black and tan hounds and created a new breed: the American foxhound. Washington was constantly creating new breeds of dogs, horses, and mules. He dreamed of creating a superior dog with exceptional speed, brains, and heightened senses.
At his Mount Vernon plantation, Washington had horses, dogs, pigs, sheep, mules, turkeys, chickens, cows, and oxen.
Martha Washington owned a parrot.
There are many places named after Washington, including the nation's capital, the state, thirty one counties, and at least seventeen communities.
After his presidency, Washington realized that slavery was morally wrong. Before his death, he freed all of his slaves.
Accomplishments and events
Supervised the formation of the National Bank.
Passed the Bill of Rights the first ten amendments to the constitution.
Admitted Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee into the union.]]
John Adams
Guess what the first lady named one of her pets?
Not Fido or spot or biscuit or jet.
No, the mixed breed dog, much to everyone's chagrin,
Was unfortunately given the odd name Satan.
John preferred horses; he had his own mare
With a dark shiny hide and flowing black hair. 
Her name was Cleopatra. John rode her round town,
And had stables built on the White House grounds.
Presidential stats
term: 1797-1801.
First lady: Abigail Smith Adams.
Vice president: Thomas Jefferson.
Political party: federalist.
Born: October 30, 1735 Braintree Massachusetts.
Died: July 4, 1826 Braintree Massachusetts.
Occupation before presidency: lawyer, vice president of the United states.
Nickname: the colossus of independence.
Tell me more!
In addition to Satan, Abigail Adams also had a mixed breed dog named Juno.
Built in 1800, the first White House stable house was located on the corner of 14th and G street.
Because Adam's traveled often, he and Abigail would sometimes spend years apart. Between 1762 and 1801, they exchanged over 1,100 letters.
Adams was the first president whose son John Quincy Adams also became president.
Accomplishments and events
Served on the committee that wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Passed the alien and sedition acts, four bills that placed restrictions on foreign citizens.
Refused to bribe the French government with money in exchange for a peaceful agreement in a conflict known as the XYZ affair, which almost resulted in a war between the two countries.]]
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson sent A-Team out West,
And two grizzly bear Cubs were found on the quest.
He built them a cage on the White House front lawn,
And sometimes he'd walk them on leashes at dawn.
The two baby bears became quite a sensation.
They represented land and the growth of our nation.
Presidential stats
Term: 1801-1809.
First lady: Martha Wayles skelton Jefferson died before Thomas took office.
Vice president: Aaron Burr first term George Clinton second term.
Political party: Democrat republican
born: April 13, 1743 Goochland County now Albemarle County Virginia.
Died: July 4, 1826 Monticello, virginia Jefferson died approximately five hours before John Adams.
Occupation before presidency: lawyer, governor of Virginia, minister to France, Secretary of State, vice president of the United states.
Nickname: man of the people.
Tell me more! The exploration team led by Lieutenant zebulon Pike accidentally crossed into Spanish territory near the Arkansas River. The team was arrested by Spanish authorities. As Pike was being escorted back to US territory, he purchased the bear Cubs from a local inhabitant.
When the bears grew too big for their White House cages, Jefferson sent them to live at a museum. Yes, a museum! Not a zoo.
Jefferson also had a mockingbird named Dick who sometimes rode on his shoulder. When nobody was around, he would open Dick's cage and let him fly freely around his office. Jefferson also owned several dogs.
Jefferson was the key author of the Declaration of Independence, written in 1776.
After traveling through Europe as the minister to France, Jefferson introduced pasta and ice cream to the country.
Accomplishments and events
Made the Louisiana purchase square miles of land and doubled the size of the United states.
Authorized the Lewis and Clark expedition that explored the land bought by the Louisiana purchase.
Admitted Ohio into the union.]]
James Madison
In 1812 the British came
And sent the White House up in flames.
Afraid for her parrot the first lady sent
Uncle Willie to live with the French consulate.
Meanwhile, the president was rallying troops.
He guarded the ports and sent ships out in groups.
He defeated the Brits and resumed government dealings
That eventually led to the era of good feelings.
Presidential stats
Term: 1809 1817:
First lady: Dorothy Dolley Payne Todd Madison
vice president: George Clinton first term Elbridge Gerry second term.
Political party: Democrat republican
Born: March 16, 1751 port Conway, Virginia.
Died: June 28, 1836 Montpelier estate, virginia.
Occupation before presidency: lawyer, member of the US House of Representatives, Secretary of State.
Nickname: father of the constitution.
Tell me more! The era of good feelings was a period of peace that lasted approximately from 1816 to 1824. Although Madison was president at the beginning of this time., his successor, james monroe, is best known as the era of good feelings president.
Madison had a flock of sheep that grazed on the White House lawn.
Madison is the smallest president to date. He was five feet four inches tall and weighed only a hundred pounds.
Dolly Madison is often called the first first lady because she was the first to throw lavish parties at the White House.
Accomplishments and events
Was the youngest delegate at the Continental Congress and a key contributor to the United states constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Authored The Federalist Papers, eighty five hey Cortana articles promoting the ratification of the constitution. He wrote these with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.
Went to war with Great Britain, officially ending all economic dependence on the British.
Admitted Louisiana and Indiana into the union..]]
James Monroe
Monroe had a spaniel, some historians claim, but nobody knows the poor puppy's name.
He was called buddy, many sources detail, but it isn't clear if he was male or female.
Presidential stats
Term: 1817 1825.
First lady. Elizabeth Jones Kortright Monroe.
Political party: democrat republican.
Born: April 28, 1758 Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Died: July 4, 1831 New York, New York.
Nickname: the era of good feelings president.
Tell me more! 
The monroes may have also owned a sheepdog.
After being damaged during the War of 1812, the White House was reopened during monroe's presidency. Its sandstone exterior was painted white the year he became president.
Monroe and his wife, Elizabeth, through the 1st wedding at the White House for their seventeen year old daughter Maria.
Monroe was the 3rd president to die on the Fourth of July. James Adams and Thomas Jefferson also passed away on the nation's birthday.
Accomplishments and events
Established the Monroe Doctrine, preventing foreign nations from settling in America.
Passed the Missouri compromise that admitted Missouri into the union as a slave state and Maine as a Free State. As a result, the Mason Dixon line was extended.
Helped form the American colonization society, which sent freed slaves to the newly formed african country of liberia.
Admitted Mississippi, illinois, alabama, maine, and missouri into the union.]]
John Quincy Adams
The very same Frenchman who sent Washington hounds
Gave John Quincy Adams a pet for the grounds.
It arrived at the house one fine summer day:
It wasn't a dog or a cat or blue Jay.
When John opened the box that arrived via freighter,
He was startled to find a pet alligator.
Not sure where to keep it, not sure what to do,
He founded a home in a White House bathroom.
When friends came to visit John let them explore.
Imagine their fright when they opened that door.
Presidential stats
Term:
first lady: Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams.
Political party: Democrat republican.
Born: Braintree now Quincy Massachusetts.
Died: Washington DC.
Occupation before presidency: lawyer, minister to Great Britain, the netherlands, russia, and prussia, member of the US senate, and the US house of representatives, Secretary of State.
Nickname: old man eloquent.
Tell me more.
The alligator lived in the east room bathroom for two months before returning to France.
First lady Louisa Adams raised silkworms at the White House. She had gowns made from the silk they produced.
In the mornings, Adams would go skinny dipping in the Potomac River. One day his clothes were stolen and he had to ask a stranger to run to the White House to get him another suit.
Adams read the Bible cover to cover every year.
Accomplishments and events.
Placed high taxes on import items from foreign countries to protect domestic industries.
Improved America's transportation system roads and canals.
The only president to serve in the House of Representatives after holding office. In the house, he argued the famous amistad case before the Supreme Court and won, freeing thirty five kidnapped Africans.]]
Andrew Jackson
Jackson's parrot, Poll, who whistled and spoke,
Had a bad habit when she was provoked.
The president, it seems, she often mimed,
And as a result she cussed all the time. 
Poll swore up a storm in English and Spanish; this often resulted in her being banished.
Presidential stats
Term:
First lady: Rachel Donaldson robards Jackson died before Jackson took office and Emily Donaldson Jackson's niece who served as first lady.
Political party: Democrat republican first term; Democrat second term.
Born: waxhaws area North Carolina South Carolina border.
Died: Nashville Tennessee.
Occupation before presidency: lawyer, soldier, member of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate.
Nickname: old Hickory.
Tell me more.
At Jackson's own funeral, Poll had to be removed because she wouldn't stop swearing.
Jackson also owned several horses, including his favorite, Sam patch. The horse was named after an American daredevil who was the first person to jump over Niagara Falls and survive.
Jackson raised Roosters.
Jackson was the first president to ride on a railroad train.
Accomplishments and events
Signed the Indian removal act of 1830 to remove several American Indian tribes from their land within existing states to unsettled lands in the West. The perilous journey the tribes took to their new land is now known as the Trail of Tears.
Worked toward abolishing the National Bank, which he saw as a threat to American liberties.
Admitted Arkansas and Michigan into the union.]]
Martin Van Buren
The Sultan of Oman sent the president a gift:
Two baby tigers that caused quite a rift. 
Van Buren insisted, they were gifted to me.
But Congress claimed, they were gifted to we.
They argued until They were blue in the face, 
so the tigers left home For some much needed space. 
They went to the zoo For some rest and relaxing.
Politicians, it seems, could be really quite taxing.
Presidential stats
Term:
First lady: hannah hoes van buren
Vice president: Richard M Johnson
political party: Democrat.
Born:  December kinderhook, new york.
Died: July kinderhook, New York.
Occupation before presidency: lawyer, member of the New York State Senate and U.S. Senate, governor of New York, Secretary of State, vice president of the United states.
Nickname: OK.
Tell me more.
In addition to the tiger Cubs, the Sultan of Oman sent Van Buren many other gifts. He was not allowed to accept gifts from any foreign leader, so they were handed over to Congress for safekeeping.
Riding horses was van buren's favorite sport.
Van Buren was the 1st president born in America. All presidents before him are considered to be British because they were born before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Van Buren spoke fluent Dutch.
Accomplishments and events
During his presidency, nine hundred banks collapsed, resulting in the panic of 1837. In response, van buren established a federal treasury to protect government funds.
Prevented Texas from being admitted into the union because he did not want to expand slave territory or risk going to war with Mexico.
Continued Andrew Jackson's removal of American Indians from their land.]]
William Henry Harrison
Williams goat whiskers enjoyed life in DC.
He'd frolic about wherever he pleased.
And Sukey, his cow, was happy as punch
To lay in the sun and munch on her lunch.
These two lived quite well on the lawn where they grazed. 
Too bad bill was the prez only thirty one days.
Presidential stats 
term:
first lady Anna tuthill Symmes Harrison.
Vice president: John Tyler.
Born: February Berkeley plantation, Charles City county, Virginia.
Died: April Washington, DC.
Occupation before presidency: soldier, member of the US house of representatives, ohio state senate and U.S. Senate, minister to Colombia.
Nickname: old tippecanoe.
Tell me more. 
Harrison's goat's full name was his whiskers.
Harrison gave the longest inaugural speech in U.S. history. On a cold rainy day in Washington, he spoke for almost two hours. Less than a month later, he died from pneumonia. He was the first president to die in office.
Harrison is also the only president to study medicine.
Harrison's father, Benjamin Harrison, a delegate from Virginia, was one of the founding fathers of the United states.
Accomplishments and events
As a soldier, was most known for his victory over a Shawnee chief at the battle of tippecanoe. He gained control of Indian territory, which allowed for colonization of the northwest.
Accomplish little as president, since he was only in office for a month.]]
John Tyler
John Taylor's presidency was often quite harried;
His party refused him, his popularity varied.
But first lady Julia dressed to impress.
Whatever she wanted, the president said yes.
He bought her a greyhound, from italy it came.
She'd take it for walks; le beau was its name.
She also enjoyed riding around town
In a regal coach and expensive gowns
Pulled by six horses of Arabian breed. 
The newspapers claimed she was spoiled indeed.
Presidential stats
Term:
First lady: letitia Christian Tyler and Julia Gardiner Tyler.
Vice president: none
Political party: whig.
Born: March Greenway plantation, Charles City county, Virginia.
Died: January Richmond, Virginia.
Occupation before presidency: lawyer, member of the US house of representatives and the US senate, governor of Virginia, vice president of the United states.
Nickname: his accidency.
Tell me more.
Tyler's favorite horse was named the general. When his horse died, tyler had a headstone placed on the grave that said here lies the body of my good horse the general. For twenty years he bore me around the circuit of my practice and in all that time he never made a blunder. Would that his master could say the same.
Tyler was the first president to marry while in office he married Julia Gardner two years after his first wife latitia Christian Tyler passed away.
Tyler's party the whigs rejected him. His cabinet members changed so many times he essentially became a president without a party.
Accomplishments and events
Past the preemption act of 1841 that allowed squatters to live on public lands.
Signed the Webster ashburton treaty that established the border between Maine and Canada.
Admitted Florida into the union.]]
James Knox Polk
On the family horse before he could walk,
James learned how to ride before he could talk.
Ironically, during his presidential run 
he was called the dark horse, and his victory stunned.
Nobody thought that he could win against clay,
But he did, much to the whig party's dismay. 
Polk brought many horses with him to DC,
But he didn't write much. He was way too busy.
Presidential stats
Term:
First lady: Sarah Childress Polk
Vice president: George M Dallas.
Political party: Democrat.
Born: November Mecklenburg County North Carolina.
Died: June Nashville, Tennessee.
Occupation before presidency: lawyer, member of the US House of Representatives, speaker of the house, governor of tennessee.
Nickname: young Hickory.
Tell me more.
Polk loved riding his horses, but his presidential duties took up too much time to allow him to ride very often.
Polk was known as the dark horse during his candidacy because he seemed to be an unlikely presidential candidate. He defeated the whig party's frontrunner, Henry Clay.
Polk hosted the first Thanksgiving dinner at the White House.
Poke oversaw the opening at the Smithsonian institute and the US Naval Academy.
Accomplishments and events
Signed a treaty with Great Britain that set the forty ninth parallel a circle of latitude as the border between the United States and Canada. As a result, the United states gained land that later became Oregon Montana Washington and Idaho.
Went to war with Mexico in 1846, which resulted in the United states getting 500,000 square miles of land. This also set the Rio Grande river as the border between the two countries.
Admitted Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin into the union.]]

Subjective Criteria

Illustrations: Little support

Vocabulary: Many difficult words

Language: Few descriptive words

Sentences: Some Long/Complex

Text structure: Formal

Concepts: Concrete/Simple Social

Headings

Author's purpose: Obvious

Prior Knowledge: Familiarity

Features

Character traits

Difficult names

Topic

*History

Government

*Animals

American History

Presidents

Pets

Low Frequency Words

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westmoreland	whigs	whiskers	whistled	xyz
youngest	zebulon