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I confess. After reading this Minute the first time it was published, I became obsessed with seeing Washington’s portrait. I planned a trip to the National Gallery so I could stand and gape at Gilbert Stuart’s work. That’s what good writing does for us - connects us to the people of the past. I was admiring the same portrait that smiled down on Dolley Madison's fetes. Truly awesome. |
Social Studies
Explore the politics of capital location
Author Harness tells us that the location of the country’s capital was moved from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. This is not a unique circumstance. A number of countries have moved their capital cities for a variety of reasons. Have your students explore the reasons a country might relocate their capital and what the aftermath of such a decision looks like. Offer a bonus - which US states have changed the location of their capital cities and why?
Explore US Presidents
Use this Minute to get students to familiarize themselves not only with early US presidents, but also their spouses and families and the social culture of the presidency.
Explore slavery and presidents
The institution of slavery was in full force through the first sixteen sitting presidents of the United States. Have students examine the history of the presidency and slavery. Which presidents had slaves. Which did not. At what point did slavery become a political issue that had to be addressed? Have students break up into two groups and trace the early history of the US from the perspective of a slave and from the perspective of a president.
Explore the role of presidential families
Dolley Madison wielded enormous influence on the presidency of her husband, James Madison. What other presidential spouses had some serious long-lasting effects on the legacies of their husband’s terms in the presidential office?
Explore the popular culture - in history
Author Harness mentions a number of items that represent the popular culture of the ruling class at the time. From decor to food to fashion, the details are abundant. Have students tease out the included facts and then organize and categorize them. See if they can find common day parallels and then analyze the lists for similarities and differences. What conclusions can be drawn?
Art
Explore portraiture
What does portrait art tell us? Existing in a time before photography, a portrait was one way of creating a legacy that lasted beyond one’s life. And George Washington became an extremely popular subject for portrait artists. Many of his portraits were NOT completed from firsthand sittings, but rather the results of painting from someone else’s image. Have your students explore the many faces of George Washington. Collect the images in firsthand, secondhand work and beyond. Compare and contrast. Analyze. Use lessons like this one to explore the intricacies of portraiture and how to use it to learn about the past.
Research Skills
Explore presentation: Communicating findings
This Minute is full of fun facts about the early US presidents and the White House. Have students explore tools to visually display these facts. Possibilities include Canva, Visme, Easelly and more.
Explore the politics of capital location
Author Harness tells us that the location of the country’s capital was moved from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. This is not a unique circumstance. A number of countries have moved their capital cities for a variety of reasons. Have your students explore the reasons a country might relocate their capital and what the aftermath of such a decision looks like. Offer a bonus - which US states have changed the location of their capital cities and why?
Explore US Presidents
Use this Minute to get students to familiarize themselves not only with early US presidents, but also their spouses and families and the social culture of the presidency.
Explore slavery and presidents
The institution of slavery was in full force through the first sixteen sitting presidents of the United States. Have students examine the history of the presidency and slavery. Which presidents had slaves. Which did not. At what point did slavery become a political issue that had to be addressed? Have students break up into two groups and trace the early history of the US from the perspective of a slave and from the perspective of a president.
Explore the role of presidential families
Dolley Madison wielded enormous influence on the presidency of her husband, James Madison. What other presidential spouses had some serious long-lasting effects on the legacies of their husband’s terms in the presidential office?
Explore the popular culture - in history
Author Harness mentions a number of items that represent the popular culture of the ruling class at the time. From decor to food to fashion, the details are abundant. Have students tease out the included facts and then organize and categorize them. See if they can find common day parallels and then analyze the lists for similarities and differences. What conclusions can be drawn?
Art
Explore portraiture
What does portrait art tell us? Existing in a time before photography, a portrait was one way of creating a legacy that lasted beyond one’s life. And George Washington became an extremely popular subject for portrait artists. Many of his portraits were NOT completed from firsthand sittings, but rather the results of painting from someone else’s image. Have your students explore the many faces of George Washington. Collect the images in firsthand, secondhand work and beyond. Compare and contrast. Analyze. Use lessons like this one to explore the intricacies of portraiture and how to use it to learn about the past.
Research Skills
Explore presentation: Communicating findings
This Minute is full of fun facts about the early US presidents and the White House. Have students explore tools to visually display these facts. Possibilities include Canva, Visme, Easelly and more.
© Karen Sterling, 2017 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission
