National Endowment for the Humanities
The War in the North, 1775–1778
Using primary source documents, including maps, learners examine Revolutionary War events from 1775 to 1778. The focus here is on the challenges George Washington and the Continental army faced and how they persevered in spite of those...
Curated OER
George Washington & the Classics
Students will compare and contrast famous philosophers with George Washington. In this history lesson, students work in small groups to define Classicism, Legalism, Democracy, Republic and Civility, then read some short excerpts so...
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Going by the Rules
Learners examine George Washington's Rules of Civility. In this George Washington lesson, students investigate how rules influence people, and the roles of citizens in America. Learners will discuss and reword rules and work in...
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George Washington Birthplace National Monument
Students examine the importance of the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. As a class, they complete a K-W-L chart about George Washington and write about what they believe is going on in a picture they are shown. They are...
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George Washington's Birthday
Young scholars recognize George Washington and why his birthday is celebrated as a national holiday through pictures, a story, crossword puzzles, and other activities involving other presidents.
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George Washington
Second graders brainstorm what they already know about George Washington and complete a KWL chart as a class. They create a list of words that describe him and write a poem with other classmates. To end the activity, they make a...
National First Ladies' Library
Capital Monuments: Exploring Washington, DC Frances Cleveland: Law, Politics and Government
Students, working in small groups, research seven of the most famous monuments found in Washington, DC. They design brochures based on the information they gather from Internet and print resources. Upon completion, they share the...
Curated OER
Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois: The Problem of Negro Leadership
Students focus on the problem of African American leadership throughout American history. In groups, they research the life and works of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois and how they worked to promote the need for African American...
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Salmon Stories
Work on author's purpose with this instructional activity, which focuses on sequence of events and audience as well. Middle and high schoolers describe the 50 State Quarters Program for background information. After discussing the...
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Fine Tuning a Nation: Using Cartoons
Students examine political cartoons to gain an understanding of the political issues that George Washington faced. In this historical perspectives lesson, students analyze political cartoons about the National Bank, the title presidents,...
National Park Service
The Power of Remembrance
On every July 4th, we watch fireworks and celebrate our independence, but how is the history of the American Revolution preserved? Four social studies instructional activity guide learners through different memorials, commemorative...
Curated OER
Agriculture Awareness Through Poetry
Whether you are viewing a landscape painting of a farm, examining a still-life portrait of a bowl of fruit, or reading a descriptive poem about cultivating food, you can't deny that agriculture plays a major role in visual and language...
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: A Compare and Contrast Lesson Plan
Two great men, one time period, and one purpose; it sounds like a movie trailer, but it's not. It's a very good comparative analysis lesson focused on Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Learners will research and read informational...
Curated OER
From Peanuts To Peanut Butter
First graders are introduced to the accomplishments of scientist and inventor George Washington Carver. They get to experience a variety of products created from peanuts and make a collage of the way we use peanuts today.
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The Peanut Wizard
Peanuts inspire this lesson about George Washington Carver, called The Peanut Wizard in the included informational text. Class members read about peanuts and George Washington Carver and create a timeline of his life. In addition, pupils...
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Chain Across the Hudson Lesson Plan A - Locating the Chain
Students read a letter from George Washington requesting them to identify on a map a location that would stop the advance of British warships. They choose a location and justify their choice.
Curated OER
I'm Number One!
Fourth graders complete a unit of lessons on the first seven presidents of the U.S. They conduct research, write a four-paragraph essay, and create posters and speeches for a simulated campaign convention.
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Survey This!
Learners examine biological information about George Washington focusing on his love of surveying. They explore cartography and field of surveying. They write a letter and make a map of Virginia.
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Presidents' Day
Students investigate George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and other American Presidents. They complete a Webquest, take a virtual tour of Mount Vernon, answer discussion questions, and evaluate newspaper articles about the current president.
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President's Day
First graders imagine that they are the President of the United States. In this history lesson the students think of three rules or laws that they would create if they were President. The students listen to a book about George Washington...
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A Day at Mount Vernon
Young scholars discover daily life on George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon. In this compare and contrast lesson, students examine the life styles at four distinct sites at Mount Vernon to become familiar with the...
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Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
Curated OER
Trip to Mount Vernon
Learners compare and contrast travel in the 18th century with current methods of travel by participating in a simulated trip to Mount Vernon. For this US history lesson, students write a letter to George Washington for permission to...
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Mr. Powell Leaves Washington
Learners examine the life and achievements of Colin Powell. After reading an article, they discuss the role of the Secretary of State. In groups, they evaluate his successes in different regions throughout the world. They reflect on the...