(Liberty) Bell Work
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Here's to the one called the Father of our Nation, the man on the one dollar bill, the first president, the visionary. Here's to the incomparable George Washington. There are some things in Washington's closet that make him imperfect, but as far as a role model for his positive traits, few rise to the level of our George. Here is a preview of his life, without giving too much away up front.
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How many candles would be
on George's cake, this year? Birthday: February 22, 1732 |
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How many words can you make
from the letters in his name? G E O R G E W A S H I N G T O N |
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Do the Math
Find the sum of the letters of his name, using the scale below. A = $.01, B = $.02, C = $.03, D = $.04, E = $.05, F = $.06, G = $.07, H = $.08, I = $.09, J = $.10, K = $.11, L = $.12, M = $.13, N = $.14, O = $.15, P = $.16, Q = $.17, R = $.18, S = $.19, T = $.20, U = $.21, V = $.22, W = $.23, X = $.24, Y = $.25, Z = $.26
Quick Write
Describe someone who is a hero to you and explain why. |
On Target
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Sentence Surgery
Read the sentence below. Do you see any problems? Do not rewrite the sentence. In fact, don't even fix the sentence. Instead, on your paper, tell the writer three things that need to be corrected. i heard that George washingtons teeth was made of wood |
Sentence Augmentation*
Augment the sentence below to greatly improve it. Record your improved sentence on your paper. George Washington was a man. *Augment: make (something) greater by adding to it |
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Word Work
Using the parts in George Washington's name, create a list of words to fit in the categories below. Pay particular attention to spelling patterns.
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Word Wise
Define the following words:
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Discussion Quotes
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Military Ranks
Washington climbed the ranks until he was in the right place at the right time, ready to lead ragtag groups of soldiers into some of the nastiest and deadliest battles in history. Use the image below to make a list of rankings in today's military, which, you will see, are identified in a much more organized manner than the rankings of the late 1700s.
There is something special about George Washington's rank, as revealed in the video below.
The Only 6-Star General from Mount Vernon on Vimeo. 
Virtual Field Trip: Mount Vernon
It's one of the coolest things on the internet. It allows us to "visit" George Washington's house at Mount Vernon without leaving our classroom. There are places to click to look more closely at items, places to click for short videos, and places to click that will move you from place to place within and outside the mansion. You may also explore using the Room by Room explanation.
Take your time: freely read and watch with integrity in order to get to know George more closely. You might find out more than you ever thought you would. Oh, and be ready to discuss what you find (That means, take notes!). 
Dental Health
What are the important rules of taking care of one's teeth and gums? In your team, make a list, and be ready to share your conclusions with the class.
Create a poster that focuses on just one item on our class list of dental health practices.
Primary Sources
There are several real objects from George Washington in the collection at Mount Vernon. These real items are considered Primary Source Objects. They provide us with "eyewitness" accounts. Imagine look at or holding the same object that George or Martha Washington held and used. Pick out something from the list on the link above and be prepared to tell the class about it.
Positive Behavior Conversations
Consider the following presentations. They are designed to make us think about positive behaviors and leadership skills.
Music Appreciation
Here are some Music Appreciation videos to help with your reading fluency (and they might even roughly apply to lessons learned from George Washington):
While We're on the Subject
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George Washington was the first to sign the Constitution of the United States of America.
Measuring Up
George Washington was tall for a man of his time: six feet, 2 inches in height. He had blue eyes and reddish-brown hair (sometimes powdered). He always stood upright and walked elegantly with long strides. He listened more than he spoke.
George Mercer, 1760: He may be described as being as straight as an Indian, measuring six feet two inches in his stockings, and weighing 175 pounds when he took his seat in the House of Burgesses in 1759.
James Thatcher, 1775:
His majesty was on horseback in company with several military gentlemen. It was not difficult to distinguish him from all other, his personal appearance is truly noble and majestic, being tall and well proportioned.
de Pontibiguard, 1777:
The General was one of these master pieces of nature who inspire respect and confidence at first sight and are gifted with all the external attributes which make them born leaders. He was tall, his face was commanding, his eyes kind.
Thomas Jefferson, 1814:
...was incapable of fear, meeting personal dangers with calmest unconcern...His stature was exactly what one would wish, his deportment easy, erect, and noble, the best businessman of any age, and the most graceful figure that could be seen on horseback.
How do you measure up to Mr. Washington's height?
The Presidential Oath
The Constitution dictates the text of the president's oath:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Let's change the wording of the oath without changing the meaning. How can the oath be explained to kids who are younger than you?
Mood Music
Allow this music to transport you into a scene that has yet to be written. Draw the scene as you listen. Then write, using all the visual imagery you can muster.
Freeing the Slaves
George Washington is the only Founding Father to free his slaves. He struggled with the slavery issue until the day he died. We will explore the slavery issue and civil rights, later in the school year, but for now, we should appreciate how complicated the situation had become by the late 1700s.
That Famous Silhouette
Check out this appraisal on PBS's The Antiques Roadshow concerning President Washington's silhouette. Then perhaps we should try a bit of silhouetting of our own.
Learn the Presidents
George was the first.
Now can you recite the rest in order? |
George Washington was a Human Being
Many times, when we study historical figures, they seem bigger than life, but George Washington and his peers were not superheroes or gods. Our friend George did all things as a human does.
These are pictures of one of the "necessaries" at Mount Vernon. This one, on one corner of a large garden, has three toilets inside. The center picture taken from a "secret" door behind and underneath those toilets shows the boxes that must be emptied from time to time by some in the slave community.
