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American Centuries > Lessons > Lessons from “Picturing America” Workshop > Picturing Our First President

Picturing Our First President

Details

Author
Carol Tafel
Topic/Subject Area
Art, Music, Literature, Crafts; Politics, Government, Law, Civics
Historical Era
Colonial settlement, 1620–1762, Revolutionary America, 1763–1783, The New Nation, 1784–1815
Grade Level
Elementary (K–5)
Creation Date
2013
Last Revision Date
2024

Related items

About This Lesson

Summary and Objective

Gilbert Stuart(1755–1828), George Washington (the Lansdowne portrait), 1796. Oil on canvas, 97 1/2 x 62 1/2 in. (247.6 x 158.7 cm.). National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; acquired as a gift to the nation through the generosity of the Donald W.Reynolds Foundation. © 2008 Smithsonian Institution,Courtesy, National Portrait Gallery.
Images

Gilbert Stuart, George Washington (The Lansdowne Portrait), 1796

Objectives

Students will understand that George Washington, our first President, was instrumental in the founding of our country, and that he set the precedent for the presidency of the new nation.

Focusing Statement

Getting to know our first president: through art and literature students will explore George Washington’s life and accomplishments, and will begin to understand our first president’s role in the American Revolution and in the founding of our country. Students will also begin to understand the esteem in which his fellow citizens held George Washington during his lifetime, and the ways in which our first president was honored and remembered after his death.

Examining Expressive Content

Materials & Resources

Collection Items
Images of George Washington (suggested)
Biographies of George Washington (suggested)
Other Resources

Teaching Plan

  1. Brainstorming: What do you know about George Washington? Students will work in small groups to brainstorm what they know. Each group jots down their ideas on chart paper. Then as a whole group, each group’s prior knowledge is shared.
  2. Share images of George Washington with the students. Discuss what students notice about him in the pictures. (Suggested images to share: portraits of George Washington, Washington at Dorchester Heights, Washington Taking Control of the American Army, Washington Crossing the Delaware, Washington at Valley Forge, The Signing of the Constitution, Washington the Farmer, Mount Vernon.)
  3. Read aloud a picture book biography of George Washington. Discuss the text and share images that correspond to the text as you read. (Suggested Titles: George Washington: A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin; A Picture Book of George Washington by David A. Adler and John and Alexandra Waliner.)
  4. Discuss the biography during and after reading, ask students to share what they have learned about George Washington. List important events in his life in chronological order.
  5. Share images of “Washington Ball”, “E. Wells” Tavern sign, Washington Memorial, and the Washington Monument, as well as previously shared images and currency with Washington’s image on it. Ask students how they think people felt about him during his lifetime and after his death. Discuss ways in which George Washington has been honored and remembered in the past and in the present.
  6. Celebrate Washington’s birthday. Toast him and enjoy a Washington Cake (see link to recipe in the “Materials and Resources” list). Directions for toasting Washington: All stand up, turn out leg to show calf; raise glass up, toast is spoken by one—all reply, “To Washington!”; sip glass, then “slam” down on table after each toast. Toasts:
    • The memory of Washington the father of his Country – It will be cherished by the last son of Liberty wherever found. (1834)
    • To George Washington – The Purist of Patriots, The Most Illustrious of Leaders, A Christian Without Ostentation, Whose Life Was Without a Stain
    • The memory of Washington – May we Honor it by an imitation of his Virtues, and adherence to His counsel
    • The President of the United States – May his Contemplated retirement be as glorious as the Setting Sun!
  7. Make a class picture book about George Washington’s life. Include information, important events and accomplishments in the book. The text of the book can be typed and each student can illustrate a page.
Putting It All Together

We are going to look at the Lansdowne Portrait of George Washington again. You know a lot about George Washington. We are going to look for clues in the portrait that tell us about him.