John Adams Worksheets and Coloring Pages

Facts About John Adams

John Adams was the 1st United States Vice President (to George Washington) and the 2nd President of the United States. He is pictured above to the right of George Washington at the first presidential inauguration.

Born in Braintree, Massachusetts - the city is now known as Quincy - on October 30, 1735, John was the son of John Sr. and Susanna Adams. 

John Adams Sr. was a farmer and a member of the Massachusetts legislature. He wanted his son to become a minister, but John graduated from Harvard and became a lawyer.

He married Abigail Smith on October 25, 1764. Abigail was an intelligent woman and advocate for the rights of women and African Americans.

The couple exchanged over 1,000 letters during their marriage. Abigail was considered one of John's most trusted advisers. They were married for 53 years.

Adams ran for president in 1797, defeating Thomas Jefferson, who became his vice president. At that time, the candidate who came in second automatically became the vice president. 

John Adams was the first president to live in the White House, which was completed on November 1, 1800.

The biggest issues for Adams as president were Britain and France. The two countries were at war and both wanted the help of the United States.

Adams remained neutral and kept the United States out of the war, but this hurt him politically. He lost the next presidential election to his biggest political rival, Thomas Jefferson. Adams became Jefferson's vice president.

Jefferson and Adams were the only two signers of the Declaration of Independence who later became president. 

Says Martin Kelly of ThoughtCo.com, in his article 10 Things to Know About John Adams, 

" ...the pair reconciled in 1812. As Adams put it, "You and I ought not to die before we have explained ourselves to each other." They spent the rest of their lives writing fascinating letters to each other."

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day, July 4, 1826, just hours apart. It was the 50th anniversary of the signing the Declaration of Independence!

John Adams's, John Quincy Adams, became the 6th President of the United States. 

John Adams Vocabulary Worksheet

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Use this vocabulary worksheet to introduce your students to President John Adams. Ask them to use the Internet or a reference book to research each term on the worksheet to determine how it relates to the 2nd President.

Students should write each term from the word bank on the blank line next to its correct definition. 

John Adams Vocabulary Study Sheet

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As an alternative to using the Internet or a resource book, students may use this vocabulary study sheet to learn more about John Adams. They can study each term, then try to complete the vocabulary worksheet from memory.

John Adams Wordsearch

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Students can use this fun word search puzzle to review the facts they've learned about John Adams. As they locate each term from the word bank, have them make sure they can recall how it relates to President Adams.

John Adams Crossword Puzzle

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Use this crossword puzzle to help your students see how much they remember about President John Adams. Each clue describes a term related to the president. If your students have trouble figuring out any of the clues, they can refer to their completed vocabulary worksheet for help.

John Adams Challenge Worksheet

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Challenge your students to show what they know about John Adams. Each description is followed by four multiple choice options from which children may choose.

John Adams Alphabet Activity

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Young students can brush up on their alphabetizing skills while reviewing facts about the United States's second president. Students should write each term from the word bank in correct alphabetical order on the blank lines provided.

John Adams Coloring Page

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Let your children review facts about the second president while completing this John Adams coloring page. You may also wish to use it as a quiet activity for students while you read aloud from a biography about Adams.

First Lady Abigail Smith Adams Coloring Page

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Abigail Smith Adams was born on November 11, 1744 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Abigail is remembered for the letters she wrote to her husband while he was away at the Continental Congresses. She urged him to “remember the ladies” who served the country so well during the revolution.

Updated by Kris Bales