Everybody laughed when I used a plastic hippopotamus to represent George Washington as he crossed the Delaware River, last week, but a little internet search reveals that there may be an actual connection between Mount Vernon and hippopotamuses.  To honor the Class of 2000 at George Washington University, the president of the university installed a statue of a hippo on campus with the text below written on its plaque.  What do you think of this legend?  Is it real or not?  How do you know?

Legend has it that the Potomac was once home to these wondrous beasts.
George & Martha Washington are even said to have watched them cavort in
the river shallows from the porch of their beloved Mount Vernon on summer evenings.
Credited with enhancing the fertility of the plantation, the Washingtons believed
the hippopatamus brought them good luck & children on the estate often attempted
to lure the creatures close enough to the shore to touch a nose for good luck.
So, too, may generations of students of the George Washington University.
Art for wisdom,
Science for joy,
Politics for beauty,
And a Hippo for hope.
The George Washington University Class of 2000
August 28, 1996

(Liberty) Bell Work

How many candles would be on Martha's cake, ​this year? Birthday:  June 2, 1731

How many words can you make from the letters in her name? M A R T H A   W A S H I N G T O N

Art Appreciation Analyze the painting shown here.  Check out the details. What do you notice? What do you think is happening? What caused the scene in the painting? What might happen after the scene shown? What does this piece make you wonder?

George and Martha Sittin' in a Tree

Find the only five exchanges between George and Martha here (below and right).  Click on each letter to find any explanation and manuscript available.  Study these as primary documents using the evaluation tool provided by the teacher. Postscript, Martha Washington to George Washington, March 30, 1767 Letter, George Washington to Martha Washington, June 18, 1775

Letter, George Washington to Martha Washington, June 23, 1775 Note, Martha Washington to George Washington, September 11, 1777 Letter, George Washington to Martha Washington, October 1, 1782

[Mr.] Hoggatt was the teacher that helped me become the person I am today,

I used to be a very rude person and did not really care about anyone but the people that were close to me.
[Mr.} Hoggatt showed me that everyone is different and I should not judge others.

Mr. Hoggiatt  was not just kind to me but was kind to everyone he met, he always worked with us so we knew if we needed help with assignments he would help how he could.

There was many class activities he made himself that were made to help the class in more ways than one.
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When it came down to the end of my fourth grade year, I was a different person when the year was over, [Mr.] Hoggatt helped me become a good person and changed me for the better and for the rest of my life.

Time Trial

We begin our day with a trial - the trial of Benedict Arnold - using a lesson plan from the National Museum of American History.  The full program can be viewed in the video here, but we will work through the program in a more systematic manner. What do you already know about General Benedict Arnold?​ Who was Benedict Arnold?  Why is he so well-known?

Love Triangle?

West Point Before examining the map at the right of these words, look at the map in the Clements Library.  What do you notice about the map?  There is a line that appears to extend across the Hudson River.  What do you think that line represents? ​Read the Hudson Valley article to learn more. It's time to pull out the scissors and glue!  The teacher has a paper version of this for you to work on.  We'll combine everyone's contribution to make a strong "defensive shield" for the classroom.  Get ready to think. After that, the teacher has a Strongest Link challenge for the class. Are you ready for the West Point Military Academy?  View the video (right) and be ready to discuss.