Lesson Plan

Becoming George Washington: Unit 5: Analyzing Documents

Photograph of Washington’s “Remarks” document
Washington’s original “Remarks” document
Fort Ligonier Association

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Grade Level:
Fourth Grade-Twelfth Grade
Subject:
Colonial History, French and Indian War, History, U.S. Presidents
Duration:
3 hours
Group Size:
Up to 36
Setting:
classroom
National/State Standards:
National Standards for History: Historical Thinking, Standard 2, 3, 4 and Era 2 Standard 1B.

Overview

This lesson plan helps students understand how to analyze primary source materials using four writings from Washington’s life and a portrait of Washington.  Teachers can have students participate in a Document-Based Questions activity.  Additionally more information about the “remarks” that Washington made on his French and Indian War activities is included.

Objective(s)

Guiding Question: Why was Washington a successful leader later in life?

 

Critical Content: Original documents can help students understand George Washington and why he became such a successful leader.

 

Student objectives: Students will…

·        Explain two reasons why Washington was a successful leader later in life

·        List two primary documents used to support their explanation

 

Background

This lesson plan helps students understand how to analyze primary source materials using four writings from Washington's life and a portrait of Washington. Teachers can have students participate in a Document-Based Questions activity. Additionally, there is more information about the "remarks" that Washington made on his French and Indian War activities.

 

Analyzing Documents, has a 3 page lesson plan for the teachers and the following additional material: 6 Resource Pages, 2 Images Pages and an answer key. The lesson uses Washington's own words, and images to show how Washington became a successful leader.   

 

Check out the other units:

 

Unit 1: Young George Washington Grades 4-6

Unit 2: Young George Washington Grades 7-12

Unit 3: Becoming a Leader Grades 4-6

Unit 4: Becoming a Leader Grades 7-12

Unit 5: Analyzing Documents

 

This teacher's resource guide was written by Carolyn P. Yoder for French and Indian War 250, Inc. and was made possible by the Grable Foundation and the US Dept. of Education.

 

Materials

This document contains the photographs of the original "Remarks" document, a transcription of the document and an introductory page.

  • "Remarks" by George Washington

    George Washington wrote remarks about his activities during the French and Indian War. This doucment included copies of the orgininal document, a transcription and an introduction Download

Procedure

1.    Download the PDF lesson plan with the resources and images

2.    If you want to use the "Remarks," download if from the materials section

3.    Make copies for the students

4.    Teach and discuss with the students

 

Park Connections

Fort Necessity National Battlefield contains three sites important to young George Washington; Jumonville Glen where Washington's troops fired the first shots of the French and Indian War, Fort Necessity where the first battle of the French and Indian War was fought, and Braddock's Grave where Washington buried the defeated General Braddock.

Additional Resources

Introduction to the teacher's resource guide Becoming George Washington