George Washington
George Washington was born in 1732. He grew up in Virginia.
People tell a story about George. He cut down a cherry tree.
His dad cried, “Who did this?” George said, “I cannot lie. I did.”
Is this true? No one knows.
A War Hero
In 1774, George went
to the First Continental
(kon‑tn-EN-tl) Congress.
It was a meeting. The
colonists chose to stop
buying things from
Britain.
George went to the
Second Continental
Congress. He was put
in charge of the colonial
army. He led this army in
the American Revolution
(rev-uh-LOO-shuhn). They
fought the king’s army.
George’s army spent
a winter in Valley Forge.
They ran low on supplies. They ran low on food. It was cold.
Many died. But George was a good leader. He made smart
choices. After eight years, his army won.
37
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#50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies
The First President
The people formed a new nation. They named it the United
States of America. They wanted George to lead it.
People trusted George. They made him the first president. He
did a good job. He is the “Father of Our Country.”
George was president for eight years. Then he said it was time
for a new leader. In December 1799, he died.
Remembering George
George was “first in the hearts
of his countrymen.” This means
he was loved by many. People
wanted to remember him. So
his face is on the dollar bill. It
is also on the quarter. He has
a mountain and a city named
after him. He has a state
named after him, too. No other
president has had that honor.
George’s head is carved
on Mount Rushmore. He is
honored on Presidents’ Day.
It is in February. He has a tall
monument (MON-yuh-ment) as
well. No one will forget George.
What Did You Learn?
How is George Washington
the “Father” of America?
38
#50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies
© Shell Education
George Washington
George Washington was born in 1732. He grew up in Virginia.
People tell a story about George. He cut down a cherry tree.
His father cried, “Who did this?” George said, “I cannot lie. I did.”
Is this true? We do not know.
A War Hero
In 1774, George went
to the First Continental
(kon‑tn-EN-tl) Congress.
It was a meeting. The
colonists chose to stop
buying supplies from
Britain.
At the Second
Continental Congress, he
was made the leader of
the colonial army. He led
this army in the American
Revolution (rev-uh-LOOshuhn). His army fought
the king’s army. At first
they lost over and over.
The British army was the
best in the world.
George’s army spent a winter in Valley Forge. They ran low on
supplies. The men had little food. It was cold. Many died. But
George was a good leader. He kept his men from giving up. He
made smart choices that kept his men alive. After eight years,
his army won the war.
© Shell Education
39
#50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies
The First President
The colonies formed a new nation. Its name was the United
States of America.
People knew they could trust George. They made him the first
president. He did a good job. Now he is called the “Father of
Our Country.”
George was president for eight years. Then he said it was time
for a new leader. In December 1799, he died.
Remembering George
George was “first in the
hearts of his countrymen.” His
face is on the dollar bill. It is
on the quarter, too. He has a
mountain, a city, and a state
named after him. No other
president has had that honor.
George’s head is carved
on Mount Rushmore. He is
honored on Presidents’ Day.
It is in February. He also has
a tall monument (MON-yuhment). He will not be forgotten.
What Did You Learn?
How is George Washington
the “Father of Our Country”?
40
#50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies
© Shell Education
George Washington
George Washington was born in 1732. He grew up in Virginia.
People tell a story about George as a boy. They say he cut down
a cherry tree. His angry father cried, “Who did this?” George said, “I
cannot lie. I did.” We don’t know if this story is true.
A War Hero
In 1774, George was part
of the First Continental
(kon-tn-EN-tl) Congress. At
this meeting, the colonies
decided to stop buying
supplies from Britain.
At the Second Continental
Congress, George was made
commander of the colonial
army. He led the army in
the American Revolution
(rev-uh-LOO-shuhn). His
army fought the king’s army.
At first they lost many
battles. The British had
the best-trained army in
the world.
George’s army spent
one winter in Valley Forge,
Pennsylvania. They ran low
on supplies. The men were hungry and cold. Many of them died.
But George was a good leader. He kept his men from giving up. He
made wise choices that kept his army safe. After eight years, his
army won the war.
41
© Shell Education
#50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies
The First President
The 13 colonies formed a new nation. Its name was the United
States of America. Some people wanted George to be its king. He
said, “We have had enough of kings!”
People knew they could trust George. They made him the first
president. He did a good job. That is why he is called the “Father of
Our Country.”
George served as president for eight years. Then he said it was
time for a new leader. He went back to Mount Vernon to be a farmer.
In December 1799, he died.
Remembering George
George was “first in the hearts
of his countrymen.” His picture
is on the dollar bill. He’s on the
quarter, too. A mountain, a city,
and a state are named after
him. No other president has
had that honor.
George’s head is carved on
Mount Rushmore. His face is
60 feet tall! He is honored on
Presidents’ Day. It is a holiday
in February. He also has a tall
monument (MON-yuh-ment) in
the nation’s capital city. He will
never be forgotten.
What Did You Learn?
Explain how George Washington is
the “Father of Our Country.”
42
#50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies
© Shell Education
George Washington
George Washington was born in 1732 and grew up in Virginia.
People tell a story about George in which he cuts down a cherry
tree. His furious father asked, “Who did this?” George said, “I cannot
lie. I did.” We don’t know if this story is accurate.
A War Hero
In 1774, George was
a member of the First
Continental (kon-tn-EN-tl)
Congress. At this meeting,
the colonists decided to
stop buying supplies from
Britain.
At the Second
Continental Congress,
George was named
commander of the colonial
army. He led the army in
the American Revolution
(rev-uh-LOO‑shuhn). His
army fought the king’s army.
At first they lost many
battles since the British had
the best-trained army in the
world.
George’s army spent one winter in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
They ran low on supplies, and the men were hungry and cold. Many
of them died, but George was such a good leader that he kept his
men from giving up. He made brilliant decisions and had loyal spies
who helped his army survive. After eight years, he won the war.
43
© Shell Education
#50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies
The First President
The 13 colonies formed a new nation named the United States of
America. Some people wanted George to be its king, but he said,
“We have had enough of kings!”
People knew they could trust George. They made him the first
president. He did a good job. Today he is called the “Father of
Our Country.”
George served as president for eight years and then said it was
time for a new leader. He went back to Mount Vernon to be a farmer.
In December 1799, he died.
Remembering George
George was “first in the hearts
of his countrymen.” As soon as
he died, people began planning
ways to keep his memory alive.
His picture is on the dollar bill
and the quarter. A mountain, a
city, and a state are named after
him. No other president has had
that honor.
George’s head is carved on
Mount Rushmore. He is honored
on Presidents’ Day, a holiday
in February. He also has a tall
monument (MON-yuh-ment) in
Washington, DC, the nation’s
capital city. He will never be
forgotten.
What Did You Learn?
In what ways do you consider George
Washington the “Father of Our Country?”
44
#50894—Leveled Texts: American Biographies
© Shell Education