A Life of Civic Virtue
In this unit you will investigate the life of
George Washington. Discover his character
as it developed due to social and political
influences.
FROM POINT A TO POINT B
CONNECTING THE DOTS
You will read several
primary and secondary
source documents
about Washington.
As you look into
Washington’s life, be
attentive to examples of
the political and social
influences that helped
to shape his persona.
George Washington:
American Icon
What is meant by the word icon?
Icon: somebody widely and uncritically
admired, especially somebody symbolizing a
movement or field of activity.
What are some characteristics associated
with an icon?
From the center take a 5X8 index card and
write the above title, the definition of an icon
and your list of characteristics an icon
possesses.
“America’s First Hero”
Go to
http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/Amp
res/essays/washington/biography/print
Read the overview of Washington’s life.
Take Cornell notes in your notebook on
the reading.
Complete the biographical profile of
Washington’s life based on your notes.
Rules of Civility &
Decent Behaviour
Go to
www.gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/
civility/transcript.html
Read the maxims copied by
Washington as a young boy.
Create an index card explaining the
effect these maxims may have had on
Washington’s character development.
The Truth Behind the
Cherry Tree
Go to http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/gw/gwmoral.html
Read The Moral Washington: Construction of a Legend
(1800-1920s)
Go to http://www.cartermuseum.org/works-of-art/1970-43
Why do you think Parson Weems felt the need to create
this fable? How did this story affect the historical persona
of Washington? Answer on the lined side of an index
card.
Study Grant Wood’s Parson Weems’ Fable, 1939 Aamon
Carter Museum 1970.43
On the blank side of the same index card, write a .
paragraph explaining the message of the painting.
Dear Martha
Read the letter Washington wrote to his wife,
Martha, on June 18, 1775*.
On an index card write about Washington’s
character as revealed through his letter to Martha.
Include Washington’s sense of duty to family and
country.
*web address for letter:
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/revolution/ma
rtha.html
“To His Excellency
George Washington”
Go To:
http://www.jmu.edu/madison/
center/main_pages/madison
_archives/era/african/free/wh
eatley/poems/wash.htm
Read Phyllis Wheatley’s
poem and on an index card
cite examples of how the
poet feels about
Washington.
How does the poet portray
Washington’s character?
General Howe’s Dog
www.gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/revol
ution/howe.html
Read the background information about the
fate of General Howe’s dog near
Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1777.
Reflect on this writing and write a paragraph
on an index card explaining how this primary
source gives insight into Washington’s
character.
17th
and 18th Century
American Political Thought
Remember, The founding fathers were
Washington was a equally influenced by the
British subject before philosophies of John
he became an Locke and Baron de
American. Montesquieu.
The Magna Carta The Constitution is an
and English Bill of assimilation of ancient
Rights gave the western philosophy, 17th
British colonists an and 18th century
expectation of limited enlightenment
government and philosophy and
individual rights. traditional English law.
Washington: Father of Our Country
Washington was angered by British taxation without
representation. As hostilities between the colonists and
Britain increased, Washington eventually supported
independence from the Mother Country.
At the Constitutional Convention, as well as, during his
presidency, Washington’s support for a strong federal
government is apparent through his writings and actions.
l
June 11, 1783
Letter to John Hancock
Go to
www.gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/
constitution/1784/hancock.html
Read Washington’s letter to Hancock
On an index card, outline Washington’s
political beliefs as expressed in the
letter.
Letter to John Jay
May 18, 1786
Go to
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/consti
tution/1784/jay1_3.html
Read Washington’s letter to John Jay.
Reflect on the writing and use an index card
to write a paragraph explaining why
Washington believes civic virtue is critical to
the success of the new government.
Musical Pie Shells
Use the musical pie shells CD to select a
familiar instrumental (Bingo, Molly Malone,
etc)
With a partner write lyrics based on the
political influences on Washington as an
accompaniment to the instrumental.
Perform your song for the class and turn in a
copy of your lyrics.
The Impact of Washington on the Young Republic
Washington was keenly
aware of the impact he
would have on American
history.
The precedents set by
Washington were
thoughtful and deliberate.
With Washington the
nation began its
metamorphosis from
Europeans to Americans.
Homespun Inaugural
Read “The Fate of a Homespun
Inaugural Suit” by Delia M. Rios
Why do you think Washington would
choose to wear homespun at his
inauguration?
What insight does this action give you
into Washington’s sense of destiny for
the new nation?
Farewell Address
Highlights the need for Read the introduction
a national identity to and read the highlighted
unify the country Farewell Address.
Neutrality in foreign What is the final advice
policy given by Washington in
Avoid the diverseness the Farewell Address?
of political parties Analyze what
Go to Washington says is the
www.gwpapers.virginia. significance of civic
edu/documents/farewell virtue to the success of
.intro/html the New Republic.
Fly on the Wall
Imagine you could be a
witness to any event
during Washington’s
public career.
Select and research
your choice.
Write a 300 word essay
about the event. Include
your reasons for
selecting the event.
Cite references used
Break a Leg!
Groups of students will produce a 3 minute video
about an event in Washington’s life.
Get a large sheet of manila paper to create a
storyboard to help you visualize your movie. Go to to
following websites for creating the storyboard:
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/lessons/storyboardin
g/orga.html and
http://www.csupomona.edu/~wcweber/325/storybd.ht
m
Use a camera to produce your movie for the class.