 |  Thomas Jefferson wrote our nation's Declaration of Independence before he was the third president, but the fact that he was the president did not make it onto his gravestone. There aren't many men in our history that rank at the level of the man on our nickel. There is so much to discover about this founding father, his intelligence, his beliefs, and his life.  |
(Liberty) Bell Work
| How many candles would be on Thomas's cake, this year? Birthday: April 13, 1743 |  | How many words can you make from the letters in his name? THOMAS JEFFERSON |
Discussion Quotes
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InfographicCan you organize some of this information into paragraphs?  On the MenuThomas Jefferson is responsible for making certain foods popular in America. In addition to champagne, French Fries, Parmesan Cheese, Jefferson brought these other great foods back from his high-browed stays in Europe. Ice Cream - really! What do you know about ice cream science? With a little time, we might make some in class. Be ready to list the process for making ice cream in sequential order. Macaroni - We simply must use macaroni to punctuate some sentences in Jefferson's dining room. Pay attention to those commas!  Speaking of CheeseSometimes the little details make history more personal to us. We know a lot about the big events of America's founding, but here's a situation that might have been a challenge that President never expected: When the "Big Cheese" Came to the White House.  Mood MusicThomas Jefferson played the violin. Draw a picture to show the scene that comes to mind as you listen to this music. Be ready to write a story to go along with your picture and share it with the class. | A Way with Words Mr. Jefferson has been described as an introvert. It has also been said he was pompous and arrogant. Often introverted people are misunderstood; they are quiet and observant, but that does not mean they are stuck up. Regardless, Thomas Jefferson was also considered to be cultured and refined. He was well-traveled and well-read. Maybe this was why Jefferson was tapped to write the "break-up letter" to King George III; he had a way with words. Anybody who quickly browses our Declaration of Independence sees his wit and wisdom. We will break down the Declaration in the near future, but here's a bit to get you started: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.  Jefferson's "Little Mountain"You can appreciate a person more by visiting his house and seeing how he lived. That is definitely the truth when it comes to Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson called his estate Monticello, which means "Little Mountain". We'll explore Monticello more in the near future, but here's a short video to whet your appetite. All Men Are Created EqualWhat was that, Tom? All men are created equal? Yes, those are the words Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence. But did he "practice what he preached"? At least three times, Mr. Jefferson attempted to include the dissolution of slavery into his Declaration, only to be shot down. Still, amazingly, he owned slaves to work his plantation at Monticello. Let's consider this conflict in Jefferson's story as we move forward. It is indeed a complicated and fascinating part of America's history. Are there times when a person believes one thing, but does another?  Music Appreciation |
Gadgets and Gizmos
We hear a lot about STEM, these days - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math - but Thomas Jefferson was one of America's true STEM pioneers. Check out just a few of the gadgets Mr. Jefferson designed, was given, or purchased for his house:
What do we do with this information? Have you ever seen something that could be improved with a little innovation? Now is probably the time to begin a STEM unit of our own. Now, you are the visionary.
