George Washington Unit Study

"Washington's is the mightiest name of earth-long since mightiest in the cause of civil liberty; still mightiest in moral reformation. On that name no eulogy is expected. It cannot be. To add brightness to the sun, or glory to the name of Washington, is alike impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn awe pronounce the name, and in its naked deathless splendor leave it shining on."-Abraham Lincoln.

A Short Biography

George Washington was born in Virginia on February 22, 1732. His father, whose name was Augustine Washington, owned several large farms called plantations. The work on the plantations was done by negro slaves. George's mother was a kind, capable and beautiful woman, and George was always a dutiful and affectionate son. When George was eleven years old, his father died.

George went to a small country school, where he learned reading, writing and arithmetic. He loved outdoor games. He could run faster, jump farther, ride better and throw a stone higher than any other boy in school. When the boys played war, he was the captain. He also loved to hunt, and often was several days alone in the woods with his dog and gun.

When Washington was sixteen, he went to the mountains of Virginia with some surveyors. For more than three years he was a surveyor. His work led him into danger, for many Indians lived in that country. He overcame many difficulties. His work was thoroughly and carefully done. He was now over six feet in height. He was as straight as an arrow. His muscles were hard and strong.

At this time France and England were at war. The French were building forts in the western part of Pennsylvania. The governor of Virginia sent Washington with a message to the French commander, telling him to remove the forts. With only one companion Washington traveled a thousand miles, climbed mountains, swam across rivers and finally delivered the message and returned to Virginia safely.

The French would not leave their forts. So Washington and General Braddock with a large army went to drive them away. The French and Indians hid in the forest. They surprised the army and killed the general and half of the men. Washington became commander and saved the remainder of the army.

Soon there was peace between France and England, and Washington went back to Virginia. He took charge of his large plantations. He enjoyed being a farmer. Much tobacco, wheat and flour were sent from his plantations to England.

The people in the colonies were not well treated byEngland, and in 1775 the Revolutionary War began. Washington was made commander-in-chief. He took command of the army at Boston and soon drove the British out of that city. They next went to New York. After several hard battles, they went to Philadelphia. The French now agreed to aid the Americans. The British were afraid to stay in Philadelphia and went back to New York. They did not leave the city for three years. But the British General, Cornwallis, and all his army were captured in Virginia by Washington. This ended the war. The colonies became independent of England. Washington was called "The Savior of his Country."

Washington bade farewell to his army and went back to his farms in Virginia again. Soon afterward he was elected first President of the United States of America. New York was then the capital. As he rode through the cities and towns, the people showed their love for him. They built arches of flowers across the streets. The children threw, flowers in his way and sang songs.

For eight years he was President. Then he went back to his home in Virginia for the last time. Here he died in 1799. He was loved by all the people. England and France honored him. In every civilized country the children are taught to respect and honor the name of George Washington. He was one of the, greatest men in the history of the world.

His Life in a Nutshell

• 1732 Born, Bridge's Creek, Stafford County, Virginia, Feb. 22.
• 1748 Appointed surveyor by Lord Fairfax.
• 1751 Appointed Major in colonial forces.
• 1753 Sent by Governor Dinwiddie as envoy to Commander of French forces on the Ohio, October 30.
• 1754 Appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Virginia troops, March. Capitulation of Fort Necessity, July 4.
• 1755 Defeat of General Braddock July 9. Appointed Commander-in-chief of the Virginia forces.
• 1757 Defended the Virginia frontier
• 1758 Occupation of Fort Duquesne, changed to Fort Pitt, Nov. 25.
• 1759 Married to Mrs. Martha Custis. January 6. 'Took his seat as member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. 1770 Located lands on the Ohio for the Virginia troops.
• 1774 Member of the first Virginia Convention, August 1. Took his seat as member of the Continental Congress, Philadelphia, September 5.
• 1775 Member of the second Virginia Convention, March. Member of the second Continental Congress, Philadelphia May 10. Appointed Commander-in-chief of the American army, June 13. Took formal command of the army at Cambridge, July 3.
• 1776 Entered Boston at the head of his army, March 17. Declaration of Independendence, July 4. Battle of Brooklyn, Long Island, August 26. Battle of Harlem Plains, New York, September 16. Battle of White Plains, New York, October 28. Battle of Trenton, New Jersey, December 26.
• 1777 Battle of Princeton, New Jersey, January 3. Battle of Brandywine, Pa., September 11. Battle of Germantown, Pa., October 4. Valley Forge.
• 1778 Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, June 28.
• 1779 Battle of Stony Point, New York, July 16.
• 1780 Execution of Major Andre as a spy, October 2.
• 1781 Battle of Yorktown, Virginia, and surrender of Cornwallis.
• 1782 Refused to be considered as a King, May.
• 1783 Persuaded the officers of the army to be patient with Congress, March 15. Cessation of hostilities, April 19. The army disbanded by order of Congress, November 2. Took leave of his officers, December 4. Resigned his commission to Congress, December 23.
• 1784 Crossed the Alleghenies and visited the lands beyond, on horseback.
• 1786 Shay's Rebellion, December.
• 1787 Elected President of the Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, May 25.
• 1789 Elected President of the United States, January. Inaugurated President in New York, April 30.
• 1791 Removal of the General Government from New York. 1793 Re-elected for a second term as President, taking oath of office March 4.
• 1799 Performed last public act Dec. 12. Died on the evening of Dec. 14. Buried at Mt. Vernon Dec. 18.

Rules of Etiquette

George Washington's Rules of Civility are great for copywork...just as George did. Here are the first 12 taken from his book. The spelling has been left in its original state. You might want to have your student make the corrections as he/she copies them.

Though a few sources differ on the age of when Washington wrote these, it is somewhere between the ages of 13 and 16 years old.

• 1. EVERY Action done in Company, ought to be with. Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.
• 2. When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.
• 3. Shew Nothing to your Friend that may affright him.
• 4. In the Presence of Others sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum, with your Fingers or Feet.
• 5. IF YOU Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud, but Privately; and Speak not
• 6. SLEEP not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop
• 7. PUT not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Drest
• 8. AT PLAY and at Fire its Good manners to give Place to the last Commer, and affect not to Speak Louder than ordenary.
• 9. SPIT not in the Fire, nor Stoop low before it neither Put your Hands into the Flames to warm them, nor Set your Feet upon the Fire especially if there be meat before it
• 10. When you Sit down, Keep your Feet firm and Even, without putting one on the other or Crossing them
• 11. SHIFT not yourself in the Sight of others nor Gnaw your nails.
• 12. SHAKE not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys, lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by approaching to near him when you Speak.

Rules of Civility Copywork

George Washington's "Rules of Civility" Copy Work Notebook with Vocabulary Extensions

From Around The Internet

• http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mus/muspdf/gwcurric.pdf - Upper grades - Created for use in Massachusetts, but can be used regardless. It also was created for classroom use, but can be adapted for individual study. I like it because it uses primary source documents.
• http://www.georgewashingtonmythsymbolandreality.org/Participants_Final_Projects.html - Lots of information here that can be used for upper grades

George Washington Download-N-Go By Amanda Bennett

Does character "count" in your curriculum?

Awaken the curiosity, fun, and adventure in your homeschool-learn from (and all about) "The Greatest Character of the Age"-George Washington!

One week of hands-on learning adventures for kids from K - 4th grade.

Where Unit Studies and Lapbooks Come Together!

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." ~George Washington

Bring early American history to life for your students with time lines, thought-provoking questions and activities and relevant facts that will introduce them to the 'father' of our nation and a fascinating epoch.

Mount Vernon, the Virginia home of George Washington, is a popular tourist site with an interesting history. Students learn some of the history of Virginia, beginning with Jamestown, including the relationship between Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. They'll discover how Washington contributed to the freedom of America and became our first President, but was always happy to go home. Review questions are included as well as suggestions for further study using the internet and multiple intelligence activities. A complete answer key is provided.

As the fascinating story of George Washington unfolds (from young boy to General to President), children will also learn about the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, building the Washington Monument and other tributes to George Washington

Surprisingly, I couldn't find any free notebooking pages on George Washington. If you happen to know of any, please let me know in the comment section and I will add them.

Thanks Rachael for this link

Free notebooking pages, booklet, and coloring page

The set pictured here is on sale for $2.99, regularly $5 at Currclick.

From Around The Internet

• Various including word search, crossword, coloring pages, vocabulary.
• Biography: George Washington (elementary) - Includes reading comprehension questions
• Biography: George Washington (upper elementary/ middle) - Includes worksheets and answers
• Fill-in-the-blank using a word bank.
• George Washington Mini-Book on facts, firsts and onlys
• This site list some activities you can do to go along with your study of George Washington.
• A variety of different activities including fill-in-the-blank, word scramble, mapping and more.
• Various activities and links to other websites.

From Around The Internet

• George Washington on rearing horse
• Head shot of George Washington
• At his desk
• Standing
• Crossing the Delaware
• Crossing the Delaware
• A couple head shots

This is a fun website with games to play and puzzles to do. Hopefully your kids will have more luck on that harpsichord. LOL!!

Interactive Portrait - Kids can find clues to a mystery in the portrait. There are also teacher and family study guides to studying the portrait of Washington.

Arts & Crafts - Create George Washington's Cherry Tree

Here are a few lapbooks on George Washington

Free George Washington Lapbook

http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/lapbooks/george_washington.htm

Free George Washington Lapbook - pre-k to 1st

http://www.lapbooklessons.com/GeorgeWashingtonLapbook.html

Online Resources

• Short guide including questions and activities for George Washington's Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora
• Short activity guide with ideas for math, art, language arts. Includes vocabulary and comprehension questions for George Washington's Cows by David Small
• Activities for George Washington's Socks by Elvira Woodruff

Did I miss a great resource you know about. Let me know here!