Daily Activities – George Washington Arrives in Georgia
The daily activities created for each of the Today in Georgia History segments are designed to meet the Georgia Performance Standards for Reading Across the Curriculum, and Grade Eight: Georgia Studies. For each date, educators can choose from three optional activities differentiated for various levels of student ability. Each activity focuses on engaging the student in context specific vocabulary and improving the student’s ability to communicate about historical topics.
One suggestion is to use the Today in Georgia History video segments and daily activities as a “bell ringer” at the beginning of each class period. Using the same activity daily provides consistency and structure for the students and may help teachers utilize the first 15-20 minutes of class more effectively.
Optional Activities:
Level 1: Provide the students with the vocabulary list and have them use their textbook, a dictionary, or other teacher provided materials to define each term. After watching the video have the students write a complete sentence for each of the vocabulary terms. Student created sentences should reflect the meaning of the word based on the context of the video segment. Have students share a sampling of sentences as a way to check for understanding.
Level 2: Provide the students with the vocabulary list for that day’s segment before watching the video and have them guess the meaning of each word based on their previous knowledge. The teacher may choose to let the students work alone or in groups. After watching the video, have the students revise their definitions to better reflect the meaning of the words based on the context of the video. As a final step, have the students compare and contrast their definitions to their textbook, dictionary or other teacher provided materials definitions.
Level 3: Provide the students with the vocabulary list and have them use their textbook, a dictionary, or other teacher provided materials to define each term. After watching the video, have the students write a five sentence paragraph based on the provided writing prompts.
Vocabulary/Writing Prompts:
Vocabulary Terms
Independent
Inauguration
Conquering
Inspected
Fortifications
Allegiance
Writing Prompts
1. One of the roles of the President of the United States is Chief of State. As Chief of State,
the president acts as the symbolic leader of our county and performs many ceremonial
roles such as the yearly Easter egg role. In a five-sentence paragraph explain how
George Washington’s grand tour of the United States set a standard for future
presidents in their role as Chief of State.
2. In a five-sentence paragraph, use your knowledge of the founding of the United States
to explain why George Washington felt he needed to strengthen the feelings of unity
and alliance to the new government.
3. In a five-sentence paragraph explain why George Washington made his first stop
Mulberry Grove.
Related Georgia Performance Standards:
Reading Across the Curriculum (Grades 6-12)
SSRC1 Students will enhance reading in all curriculum areas by:
c. Building vocabulary knowledge
• Demonstrate an understanding of contextual vocabulary in various subjects.
• Use content vocabulary in writing and speaking.
• Explore understanding of new words found in subject area texts.
d. Establishing context
• Explore life experiences related to subject area content.
• Discuss in both writing and speaking how certain words are subject area
related.
• Determine strategies for finding content and contextual meaning for unknown
words.
Common Core, College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing
Text Types and Purposes
1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using
valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and
information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and
analysis of content.
3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective
technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies
Theme 6: Power Authority and Governance
Grade 8 Georgia Studies
SS8H3 The student will analyze the role of Georgia in the American Revolution.
a. Explain the immediate and long-term causes of the American Revolution and their impact
on Georgia; include the French and Indian War (Seven Years War), Proclamation of 1763,
Stamp Act, Intolerable Acts, and the Declaration of Independence.
b. Analyze the significance of people and events in Georgia on the Revolutionary War;
include Loyalists, patriots, Elijah Clarke, Austin Dabney, Nancy Hart, Button Gwinnett, Lyman
Hall, George Walton, Battle of Kettle Creek, and siege of Savannah.
SS8H4 The student will describe the impact of events that led to the ratification of the United
States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
a. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both the Georgia Constitution of 1777 and the
Articles of Confederation and explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led
to a need to revise the Articles.
b. Describe the role of Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787; include the role of
Abraham Baldwin and William Few, and reasons why Georgia ratified the new constitution.
United States History, 9-12
SSUSH5 The student will explain specific events and key ideas that brought about the adoption
and implementation of the United States Constitution.
a. Explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and Daniel Shays’ Rebellion led
to a call for a stronger central government.
b. Evaluate the major arguments of the anti-Federalists and Federalists during the debate
on ratification of the Constitution as put forth in The Federalist concerning form of
government, factions, checks and balances, and the power of the executive, including the
roles of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.
c. Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the Great Compromise,
separation of powers (influence of Montesquieu), limited government, and the issue of
slavery.
d. Analyze how the Bill of Rights serves as a protector of individual and states’ rights.
e. Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams;
include the Whiskey Rebellion, non-intervention in Europe, and the development of political
parties (Alexander Hamilton).
Grade Four United States History to 1860
SS4H5 The student will analyze the challenges faced by the new nation.
a. Identify the weaknesses of the government established by the Articles of
Confederation.
b. Identify the major leaders of the Constitutional Convention (James Madison and
Benjamin Franklin) and describe the major issues they debated, including the rights of
states, the Great Compromise, and slavery.
c. Identify the three branches of the U. S. government as outlined by the Constitution,
describe what they do, how they relate to each other (checks and balances and
separation of power), and how they relate to the states.
d. Identify and explain the rights in the Bill of Rights, describe how the Bill of Rights
places limits on the power of government, and explain the reasons for its inclusion in
the Constitution in 1791.
e. Describe the causes and events of the War of 1812; include the burning of the Capitol
and the White House.