George Washington’s life story is also the story of the beginning of our nation. At the convention to revise the Articles of Confederation, George Washington was unanimously voted to be the convention’s President. His quiet presence at the convention encouraged compromise, healthy debate, and unity between delegates. His part in the creation of the United States constitution still has an immense influence on us today. We’ve honored George Washington with an incredible monument and a federal holiday, but Mobile Ed Productions, Inc. invites you to bring the celebrations of George Washington into your classroom this year.
Celebrations of Presidents’ Day began in the 1880s when George Washington’s birthday was first celebrated as a federal holiday. Debates in 1977 introduced the idea to change the federal holiday to “Presidents’ Day” in order to include Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, which lies on February 12th. We have used the title ever since.
Perhaps the largest way we’ve honored Washington is through the Washington Monument. The monument took forty years to build and was finished in 1884. Designed by Robert Mills, the Washington Monument honors first president George Washington at the center of our capital. When it was completed many years ago, it was the tallest building to exist in the world, standing at 555 feet, 5-1/8 inches. After its completion, the Monument was dedicated on February 21, 1885—one day before George Washington's birthday.
(Image from tipjunkie.com)
Our Mobile Ed Productions, Inc. educators have used this President’s Day activity to inspire patriotism in our students, reflect on an incredible historical figure, and spend time learning about the Washington Monument. Use this simple project in your classroom this year to reflect on American history right at our fingertips!
What You’ll Need
- 42 sugar cubes per student
- Paper plates
- Glue/glue sticks
What You’ll Do
- Glue one side of four different sugar cubes. Place these four cubes in a square shape on the paper plate, glued side down. This is the base of the monument.
- Glue one side of four more sugar cubes and stack cubes over the original base, creating a second layer. Continue to stack four cubes in each layer until there are ten layers.
- For the last layer (top of the monument), cut two sugar cubes in half at a diagonal angle. Glue down these four halves to the tenth layer to create the pyramid shape of the monument.
- Enjoy your creation and discuss why George Washington deserves an incredible monument!
ADVANCED VERSION: Have students color the American Flag or your state’s flag on a small piece of paper. Using a toothpick, a glue stick, and play-dough, students can stand their flag at the bottom of their monument.
Project inspired by Tipjunkie.com. For more easy classroom projects, visit the Mobile Ed Productions, Inc. blog!
Need more ways to expand your students’ knowledge of the Founding Fathers? Mobile Ed Productions, Inc. invites you and your students to experience the achievements of George Washington in real life with our George Washington program. This 45-minute program is one of our most-loved historical programs that features historical impressionist Peter M. Small. Students will “travel” back in time to get a personal and exciting historical adventure they’ve never witnessed before. Through audience participation, students will get to assist George Washington in crossing the Delaware River, surviving the harsh winter of Valley Forge, and helping forge a new government under the U.S. Constitution.
This program will teach students about:
- George Washington's life
- Myths about George Washington
- The American Revolution
- The Three Branches of Government
- Leadership
You can learn more about Mobile Ed Productions, Inc.’s George Washington program on our website. Our team is waiting to assist you with any questions you may have, so send us a message at info@mobileedproductions.com at any time!
