Lesson plan for
ESTABLISHING
INDEPENDENCE
Introduction
This lesson is about important events and people that were part of the beginning of the
United States, such as George Washington, the writing of the Declaration of Independence,
and the War of Independence. You will lead the class through eight questions from the
naturalization test related to establishing independence. Then, students will learn about
George Washington as a symbol of American independence and freedom.
Objectives
The student will be better able to:
• Recall the answers to the eight USCIS test questions in the Establishing
Independence theme.
•
Identify George Washington as a symbol used in many different ways throughout
American history.
USCIS Questions
In the Establishing Independence theme:
61.
Why did the colonists fight the British?
8.
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
62.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
63.
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
99.
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
9.
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
70.
Who was the first President?
69.
Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
Time
Theme: 20 minutes
Activity and Discussion: 30 to 60 minutes
Materials
• Internet connectivity
•
EITHER classroom projector OR enough computers for students to use as individuals or
small groups
•
Preparing for the Oath website, Establishing Independence theme
(UUhttp://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/index.html?theme=8)
•
George Washington object analysis sheets (attached)
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Challenge Words
You can find all of the bold words in the vignettes in the word list
(http://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/pdf/Wordlist.pdf). Listed below are some of those
words that will come up often during the lesson.
Battlegrounds: places where people fight during a war
Equal: to be the same
Forced: to make someone do something, even if they do not want to
General: a person with a high rank in the Army, Air Force or Marines
Teacher Tech Tips
To learn how to use Preparing for the Oath, visit the help page at
http://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/help.html
Depending on your students’ proficiency level, you might want to offer a transcript of the
narration for students to read along while watching and listening, or to have as a reference.
You can find printable transcripts at
http://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/pdf/Transcript.pdf.
You may notice that the web address never changes as you navigate through Preparing for
the Oath. In order to go directly to a specific theme or question on the site, you can find a list
of links at http://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/pdf/Links.pdf. These links may be useful
for using your browser’s “bookmark” tool or assigning student work. The link to go directly to
the Establishing Independence theme is
http://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/index.html?theme=8.
Some learning environments will be conducive to the sound features, while others will not. It
is always possible to turn on and off the website’s audio feature by clicking on this symbol:
However, please keep in mind that the test itself is spoken aloud. Students will need to be
comfortable responding to spoken questions, and be able to respond orally.
Don’t feel tied down by the structure of the themes. Once you are inside a theme, the image
tiles along the bottom represent the individual questions within that theme. You may click on
the tiles out of order to view the questions as you choose. Similarly, you may jump around
the three modes within each question: Learn, Practice, and Try.
Procedure
1. Lead the class through the Establishing Independence theme, as presented on the
Preparing for the Oath website
(http://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/index.html?theme=8)
2. Watch the video for USCIS Question 70 once more. Ask students to remember or take
notes on one interesting detail about George Washington as they watch the video.
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3. Ask students to volunteer what details they remembered. Allow students to ask
questions about George Washington. Feel free to refer to the Background Information
sheet, as needed.
4. Split the class into small groups of three to four students.
5. Give one Object Analysis handout (attached) to each group and ask them to complete
the handouts in groups.
6. Ask each group to share what they learned from their object with the rest of the class.
7. Discussion questions:
a. Why is George Washington an important symbol for the United States?
b. Did all of the objects use the symbol of George Washington in the same way?
c. George Washington is called the “Father of our Country”? What does this
mean?
d. Does your home country have a Father or Mother? Who is it? How is he or she
similar to or different from George Washington?
Learn More Links
Smithsonian’s History Explorer
(http://historyexplorer.americanhistory.si.edu)
Your gateway to innovative online resources for teaching and learning American history,
designed and developed by the National Museum of American History.
The American Presidency Online Exhibition
(http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency)
The online exhibition accompanies The American Presidency exhibit at the National Museum
of American History. The exhibition interprets artifacts from presidents throughout American
history, including many objects related to George Washington’s presidency.
Price of Freedom Online Exhibition
(http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory)
The online exhibition accompanies the Price of Freedom exhibit at the National Museum of
American History. The exhibition includes objects from America’s wars, including the War of
Independence. The exhibition includes many objects from George Washington’s military
service, including his uniform.
The Portrait—George Washington: A National Treasure
(http://www.georgewashington.si.edu/portrait/index.html)
This website from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery explores the Lansdowne
portrait. Use the interactive portrait to explore its details and learn more about its symbolism.
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Background
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George Washington was born in Virginia in 1732.
In 1775, upon his arrival in Philadelphia as one of the delegates to the Second
Continental Congress, he was elected to command the American Continental Army.
Under his leadership as Commander in Chief of the Army, the United States won the
War of Independence.
George Washington, one of the most respected men in the colonies and the hero of
the Revolutionary War, was unanimously elected the first president of the United
States in 1789.
Washington was well aware of the importance of the example he was setting for all
presidents to come, and performed his duties with this in mind. Washington decided
that the president should live in the same place where he worked, so his New York
lodgings became the precursor to the White House. He created the presidential
cabinet, with whom he met regularly to go over matters of state; and he helped to
select the site and design the city that would become the capital of the new nation.
Washington's courage in battle, dignified bearing, and universally admired strength of
character earned him the name "Father of Our Country," and to this day we recognize
the importance of his contributions to the United States.
Sample Answers for the Student Handouts
Some questions are subjective, so answers may vary.
Object Analysis Handout 1
1. What is this object?
It is a United States coin from 1792 with President George
Washington’s image on it.
2. Why do you think George Washington’s image is on the coin?
His image is on the coin because he is a symbol of the United
States. He was a national hero and “the Father of Our
Country.”
3. Why do you think George Washington didn’t want his image on U.S. coins?
George Washington was not the King of the United States. There was no King, Instead, George
Washington wanted the idea of liberty to be the “Queen” of the United States, and represent
the values of the United States on its money.
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Object Analysis Handout 2
1. What is this object?
It is a statue of George Washington.
2. Name the three places where this statue has been. Why do you think it
was put in those places?
1. Capitol Building
2. Outside the Capitol Building
3. Smithsonian Institution
All of these places represent the federal government and the spirit of American democracy.
George Washington is a symbol of the United States. He is the “Father of Our Country.”
3. Does it remind you of anything else?
George Washington’s clothing is in the style of ancient Greek statues. He is made to resemble a
Greek god or Greek statesman. Greece is considered the birthplace of democracy.
Object Analysis Handout 3
1. Who is in this portrait?
This is President George Washington.
2. What is he doing?
He looks like he is standing and giving a speech as President of the
United States.
3. Does the painting remind you of anything else?
It reminds me of portraits of other leaders, of Kings. I see symbols of
American democracy in the background.
Object Analysis Handout 4
1. What is this object?
It is a fire bucket.
2. How is it decorated?
It has George Washington’s picture and other patriotic images.
3. Why do you think it is decorated that way?
It was decorated with George Washington because the firemen were
patriotic.
4. Does it remind you of anything else?
It reminds me of other George Washington images (money), paintings
of other presidents, leaders from home countries, and revolutionary
heroes.
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Object Analysis Handout 1
Pattern for a United States Half Dollar, 1792.
George Washington was the president of the
United States in 1792. He did not want to have
his picture on United States money. He wanted
symbols of liberty on United States money. He
decided that this coin design would not be
made into an official coin.
Today, George Washington’s picture is on the
quarter coin and the one-dollar bill.
Answer the questions below. If you don’t know the answer, guess.
1. What are these objects?_____________________________________________
2. Why do you think George Washington’s image is on the coin? _____________
__________________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think George Washington didn’t want his image on U.S. coins?
__________________________________________________________________
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Object Analysis Handout 2
Greenough Statue, 1832
Artist Horatio Greenough made this
statue of George Washington in 1832. It
was in the Capitol Building in
Washington, DC, from 1841 to 1843. Then
it was moved to outside the Capitol
Building until 1908. Then, it was given to
the Smithsonian Institution.
Answer the questions below. If you don’t know the answer, guess.
1. What is this object?________________________________________________
2. Name the three places where this statue has been. Why do you think it was
put in those places? _________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. Does it remind you of anything else?__________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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Object Analysis Handout 3
Lansdowne Portrait, by Gilbert Stuart, 1796
from the National Portrait Gallery Collection
This is a famous portrait of George Washington.
Artist Gilbert Stuart painted it in 1796. It shows
George Washington as president of the United
States. He is standing like he is giving a speech.
Answer the questions below. If you don’t know the answer, guess.
1. Who is in this painting? _____________________________________________
2. What is he doing? _________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. Does this painting remind you of anything else? ________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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Object Analysis Handout 4
Fire Bucket, 1800s
This fire bucket has a picture of George
Washington on it. After the War of Independence,
George Washington was a symbol of the United
States. People put his picture everywhere to show
patriotism.
Answer the questions below. If you don’t know the answer, guess.
1. What is this object? ________________________________________________
2. How is it decorated?________________________________________________
3. Why do you think it is decorated that way?_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4. Does it remind you of anything else?__________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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