Celebrating George Washington

In The Classroom

Intended Grade Level: Elementary

What you will find in this guide: Getting Started…………………………………………………………………………………………………. Activity 1: Reading the News

Instructions…...……………………………………………..………………………………………... Massachusetts Gazette……...….………………………………..…………………………………….. Primary Source Worksheet…...……………………………..………………………………………

Activity 2: Celebrating George Washington…………………………………………………………………….

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Celebrating George Washington

In The Classroom

Getting Started

Discuss with your students that today we celebrate Presidents' Day in February to honor George Washington and other presidents who have served our nation. Explain that the first public celebration of George Washington's birthday was held over 200 years ago by French officers to honor George Washington as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Within a few years, Washington's birthday became an annual celebration in towns across the country. Balls, banquets, toasts, and speeches were given in his honor because Americans saw George Washington as the symbol of their unity and independence. Some people; however, viewed George Washington's popularity with concern. They thought the public celebrations were like those offered for kings; and it was hard for them to believe that, in a time when much of the world was ruled by kings, George Washington would not seize power. The newspaper account from the Massachusetts Gazette was written in 1787 and describes a typical 18th-century dinner honoring George Washington on his birthday. Although his birthday has been celebrated since the 1780s, it did not become an official holiday until 1885.

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Celebrating George Washington

In The Classroom

Activity 1: Reading The News Materials Needed: Copies of the Massachusetts Gazette dated March 13, 1787 (found on page 4), Primary Source Worksheets (provided on page 5), magnifying glasses. Instructions:

1. Have students work on their own, or split the classroom into small groups of 2-3 students 2. Provide each student with a copy of the Massachusetts Gazette article from March 13, 1787. You may

also want to provide students with a magnifying glass to help them read the document. 3. The article reports news from February 15th 4. Remind students that the letter “s” was used in 18th century printed materials like the modern “f” is

today. 5. Provide each student with the Celebrating George Washington document worksheet to fill out as

they read through the newspaper article. 6. Ask students to write down any words that they do not understand for class discussion.

Post-Activity Classroom Discussion Questions:

What words did you find in the Massachusetts Gazette article that were new or difficult to understand?

Why would a newspaper from Massachusetts report on an event that took place in Virginia? Do you recognize any names mentioned in the newspaper article?

If yes, what do you know about these men and their role in the American Revolution? The article mentions that Washington’s birthday was celebrated “On Saturday last” which

was February 10, 1787. Brainstorm reasons why Washington’s birthday would have been celebrated 12 days before his birthday.

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Celebrating George Washington

In The Classroom

The Massachusetts Gazette ~ March 13, 1787

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Celebrating George Washington

Primary Source Worksheet

What type of document is this? (check one) ___ Newspaper ___ Map ___ Advertisement ___ Memo ___ Letter ___ Diary ___ Speech ___ Other What is the date of this document? _______________________________________________________ For what audience was the document written? ____________________________________________ Why do you think this document was written? (Provide evidence to support your idea) _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Where was the celebration described in the document held? ________________________________ Identify three toasts that are listed in the document:

1. ____________________________________________________________ 2. ____________________________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________________________

Was this article written before, during, or after George Washington’s presidency? (Circle One) BEFORE DURING AFTER Write a question to the author about something you want to know from reading the document. _______________________________________________________________________________________

Instructions: Fill out the worksheet using the Massachusetts Gazette

NAME: ________________________

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Celebrating George Washington

In The Classroom

Activity 2: Celebrating George Washington

Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Give each group 1 of the assignments below. Students can share their plans through descriptive writing and/or artwork.

Group One: You will serve as an 18th-century committee tasked with planning a birthday celebration for George Washington. Be sure your plan includes:

Menu of food to be served Decorations Entertainments Invitations to special guests Special toasts to be read (in the style of the period) Music to be played

Group Two: You will serve as an 18th-century committee tasked with planning a parade to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Be sure your plan includes:

Themes and descriptions of floats in the parade (as well as an order) These themes may be important dates in Washington’s life, or even his major roles and

accomplishments in American History) Invitations to special guests A speech for the mayor to deliver Music to be played

Share your celebration ideas with your classmates. Compare your ideas with those of other classes. Combine student ideas to create your school’s George Washington Celebration Day.