Lesson Title:
George Washington, Innovative Farmer
Authors: Sari Bennett & Pat Robeson - Maryland Geographic Alliance
Grade Level: 4/5
Duration: 1 class periods
Essential Questions:
1. Why is good soil important to a farmer?
2. How did George Washington modify the enviornment of his plantation to make it successful?
Enduring Understanding: When the natural environment is modified there are consequences.
Maryland State Curriculum: Geography
D. Modifying and Adapting to the Environment
1. Describe how people adapt to, modify and impact the natural environment
Grade 4:
b. Describe ways and reasons people in Maryland and the United States modify the natural
environment and the consequences of modifications
Grade 5:
Describe ways that colonists in the New England, Middle and Southern regions adapted to
and modified the environment, such as uses of the grist mill, water wheels and
plantation farming.
Maryland Environmental Literacy Standards: Standard 7 Environment & Society
Topic B: Individual and Group Actions and the Environment
Indicator 1: Examine the influence of individual and group actions on the environment and explain
how groups and individuals can work to promote and balance interests.
• Describe how people adapt to, modify, and impact the natural environment
SS 3(4)D.1
• Explain why and how people adapt to and modify the natural environment and the impact of those modifications SS 3(5)D.1
Reading Informational Text
Grade 4
RI3 Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
•
Connect and explain types of relationships. (See CCSS 3 RL2.)
•
Apply content knowledge to determine relationships in an informational text.
•
Use text-relevant information and language to explain connections between and/or among
events, ideas or concepts, and steps in a text.
•
Apply knowledge of standard English when writing about or discussing informational texts.
(See CCSS 4 L1, 2.)
•
Apply academic and domain-specific vocabulary to discuss and/or write about types of relationships. (See CCSS 4 L6.)
Grade 5
RI3 Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or
concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
•
Connect and explain types of relationships. (See CCSS 3 RL2.)
•
Apply content knowledge to determine relationships in an informational text.
•
Use text-relevant information and language to explain connections between and/or among
events, ideas or concepts, and steps in a text.
•
Apply knowledge of standard English when writing about or discussing informational texts.
(See CCSS 5 L1, 2.)
•
Apply academic and domain-specific vocabulary to discuss and/or write about types of relationships. (See CCSS 5 L6.)
Connections: Geography, Environmental Literacy, Science, Reading, Writing
Student Outcomes:
•
use information on signs located at Mount Vernon to identify ways Washington modified
the natural environment to farm his farms by immplementing new innovatrions.
•
identify crops Washington grew and explain why he grew them.
•
explain ways Washington improved the soil and why it was necessary to protect the environment.
•
read primary source information and match Washingtonʼs quotations to photographs of his
farms.
Summative Assessment:
Students work individually or in groups to:
• make a list of each of Washingtonʼs innovations and give evidence from primary and secondary
sources
• describe the purpose of each innovation
• explain how each innovation modified the natural environment and made the plantation successful
Materials:
• Farmer George Plants a Nation by Peggy Thomas & Paintings by Layne Johnson, (Calkins
Creek, an imprint of Boyds Mills Press,Inc, Honesdale, PA, 2008) ISBN 978-1-59078-460-0
* Mount Vernon Signs # 1 - 7 - one set for each group of four, or use sheets for a gallery walk
* George Washington Innovative Farmer Question Sheets #1-3 - one set for each group of four
* Assessment Quotes #1 - 2 - one for each student
• Assessment Photographs - one for each student
Vocabulary:
Tier 2
environment: everything in and on earth's surface and its atmosphere within which organisms,
communities or objects exist
modify: to change
human-made features: features on the earth's surface constructed by people, including but not
limited to village, town, city, building, road, airport, canal, dam, port, bridge, and monument
Tier 3
granary: a storehouse of grain
manure: animal waste used to fertilize land
midas touch: one who converts everything he touches to gold. Washington wanted to convert
everything to manure because it was so important to maintain good soil.
nursery: place where young trees, vines, and plants are grown and usually sold
rotation: growing different crops in the same field usually in a regular order
Prior Knowledge:
This activities use images of Mount Vernon and quotations from George Washington to emphasize ways he modified the natural environment to become an innovative farmer.
What is a farm without good soil? Maintaining soil quality and productivity were essential to any
farmer. Washington felt soil conservation was the most important aspect of his farming at Mount
Vernon. Although 200 years ago George Washington and other farmers of his day knew little
about soil chemistry or the biochemistry of plant nutrition, they recognized that soil could become
“exhausted” or depleted of nutrients essential to the productivity of their fields. Thus, Washington
experimented with a number of different soil “enhancements”, carefully observing and recording
the results of his experiments. He wrote regularly, while away, to his farm managers to ensure
that his careful plans were being carried out according to his very specific instructions.
Pre-Assessment:
Tell students that most people know a lot about George Washington as our countryʼs leader but
donʼt know that he was also a farmer. At the age of 27 after fighting in the French and Indian War
he returned to his plantation and wanted to improve it so it could be profitable. How do you think
Washington modifed the environment of his plantation to make it successful? Make a list of student responses.
Lesson Procedure
Engagement:
Tell students when George Washington leased Mount Vernon in 1754, it had about 2000 acres.
Under his leadership, the estate grew to more than 8000 acres. It was divided into five different
farms. He was a great innovator. In 1765, before George Washington switched from tobacco
farming and adopted his new ideas, he owed money. By the time he he died in 1799, Washington
had estimated his worth at $530,000. This is more than $6 billion in today's currency. Washington
may have been the richest man in American history!
Ask student the following questions and discuss answers.
• What does innovation mean? (a new idea, method, or device)
• What are some examples of innovations in society today? (electric car, digital cameras, DVD
player, cell/smart phones, laptops, GPS, etc.)
Step 1:
Show students the book, Farmer George Plants a Nation and have students listen to the story to
learn about what innovations George Washington made at his farms. While reading demonstrate
how to read closely to make sense of what the author is saying and clarify unknown words. Make
your thinking visible.
Step 2:
Distribute a set of the Mount Vernon Signs and the question sheets to each group of four students.
Tell students to use what they learned and information on the signs to answer the questions.
Match each image to a question number and answer all parts of the question.
Image #1 (do as a group using a transparency or ppt)
a) Why did George Washington switch his cash crop from tobacco to wheat?
Wheat did not deplete the soil as quickly as tobacco. Wheat had economic advantages;
Washington could sell it to many markets.
b) George Washington modified his farmland in many ways. Identify the human-made features
found on his farms.
cultivated land, homes, mill, distillery, roads, fences, barns
c) George Washington used wagons to get wheat and corn to the mills for processing. To whom
did Washington sell his flour, cornmeal, and other products? How were these products
transported to market?
Europe and the West Indies - Ships were used to transport cash crops across the ocean or
to the Caribbean.
Image #2
Washington had 8000 acres of forested land. After these trees were cut down, Washington used
some of the land for other agricultural activities.
a) List ways he used the land shown on this map.
seed beds, fruit gardens, orchards, berry bed
b) What types of trees did he grow? Why did he grow these?
types of trees: apple, cherry, peach, plum, pear
fruit was used in the kitchen for cooking; other trees would be transplanted elsewhere
c) What were seedbeds used for?
to grow vegetables, grains and pasture grasses; allowed to “go to Seed,” providing the
seeds for next seasonʼs planting
Image #3
Washington used a complicated system of rotating the crops planted in his fields.
a) Why did Washington believe crop rotation was a good process for farmers to use?
Crop rotation was used to increase and maintain soil fertility.
b) What crops in Washingtonʼs rotation were grown for profit and to eat? Which were grown for
fertilizer?
profit and to eat: wheat, corn and potatoes
fertilizer: buckwheat, clover or grass
c) What was the pattern for growing clover or grass?
planted 3 times in 7 years
d) Why did Washington place livestock in the grass and clover fields?
Livestock could graze and their manure helped replace valuable nutrients in the soil.
e) When was buckwheat planted? Why was it planted then?
Buckwheat was planted after wheat was harvested and allowed to decompose to make a
“green Manure” that helped the soil.
f) When could corn or potatoes be grown?
Corn and potatoes were planted in fields after three years of being planted in clover or hay.
Image #4
Washington strongly believed in using fences on his farms.
a) What were the four functions of fences?
split rail was moveable and used primarily around fields
wattle was used to protect animals from predators
post and rail was used to permanently mark boundary lines and keep animals on and off
fields
hurdle was used to keep animals in an area for grazing and manuring.
b) What is the big advantage of split-rail fences?
They were moveable and could be laid around trees and other obstacles.
Image #5
Washington rotated crops to improve the quality of the soil.
a) Identify five other ways Washington used to improve soil quality.
Animal manure and “green manure” such as buckwheat and clover were used as
fertilizers.
Creek mud was natural fertilizer.
Fish heads decomposed in the soil and were used as a fertilizer.
Marl which was a “chalky clay” was used like lime is used today to lower soil acidity.
Plaster of paris which is made of calcium sulfate or gypsum was used to change the PH
balance.
b) What human-made-feature did Washington build that illustrates his concern for improving the
soil.
dung repository
Image #6
A 16-sided barn was one of the most interesting human-made features Washington built on his
farms.
a) What geographic characteristics forced Washington to build this unique barn?
weather and climate
b) If this barn was such a good idea, why didnʼt Washington build more?
Reliable threshing machines were invented. These ended his plans to build additional
treading barns.
Image #7
As a military and political leader, Washington was often away from his farms for long periods of
time. Yet, his farms were quite successful.
a) How were the farms maintained?
By 1799, Mount Vernon had 316 enslaved people who worked the farms.
b) Name 3 jobs done on the farm? Place a star next to the jobs connected with modifying the
environment.
planted, cared for and harvested crops
worked at the gristmill and in the mansion house
dug ditches
cut firewood
husked corn
repaired fences
slaughtered hogs and preserved meat for food
Modifying the environment included: planting and harvesting crops, digging ditches,
cutting down trees for firewood.
Summative Assessment:
Go back to the list made in the preassessment. Ask students what could be added to the list
based on what they have learned in this lesson. Focus the discussion on the innovations Washington made at his farms. Students work individually or in their groups to:
• make a list of each of Washingtonʼs innovations and give evidence from primary and secondary
sources (for example: new process for treading wheat, soil conservation, composting, fertilizing, designing and building a barrel seeder, crop rotation)
• describe the purpose of each innovation
• explain how each innovation modified the natural environment and made the plantation successful
Closure:
George Washington Describes Methods of Farming
Match the small photographs to each of the quotes. Next identify the topic of the quote: crops,
animals, farm buildings. etc. that Washington was writing about. Write the letter of each photograph linked to a quote on the lines.
Quote #1: Topic: crop rotation - Photographs - F - soil exhausted soil, K - crop list
Quote #2: Topic: Mount Vernon Plantation - Photographs - O - mansion, J - Potomac River
Quote #3: Topic: forest - Photographs - B - forest, M - orchard
Quote #4: Topic: crops - Photographs - L - enslaved worker, N - hoeing wheat
Quote #5: Topic: 16-sided barn - Photographs - H - 16-sided barn
Quote #6: Topic: sheep - Photographs - I - sheep, E - loom
Quote #7 Topic: corn - Photographs - D - corn, G - fish
Quote #8 Topic: cattle - Photographs - C - fence, A - Duke and Earl - cattle
#1
Visionary Farmer
“I hope someday or another, we shall become
a store house and granary for the world.”
George Washington to the Marquis de Lafayette, June 19, 1788
While the world remembers him as a great military and political leader, George Washington
would have told you he was first and foremost
a farmer.
By the mid-1760s - more than a decade before
the Revolutionary War - Washington had
switched his main cash crop from tobacco to
wheat. He know that wheat did not deplete the
sold as quickly as tobacco and had economic
advantages as well. Because the British did
not regulate the sale of wheat as closely as tobacco, he had more markets in which to sell his
wheat for greater profit.
Washington used the most modern scientific farming methods at Mount Vernon. He introduced an innovative seven-year crop rotation plan and experimented with soil enhancers to increase the productivity of his fields. He
acquired the most modern farm implements and began a progressive system
of livestock management.
He divided his Mount Vernon estate into five farms. The Washingtons lived
on the Mansion House farm, the other four farms were for agricultural production. Each of the four outlying farms was home to between 40 and 80 slaves,
who worked from sun-up to sun-down six days a week to implement Washington visionary ideas.
In 1771, Washington opened a merchant mill. He transported wheat and corn
grown at his farms to the mill for grinding into flour and cornmeal. He sold
these products as far away as Europe and the West Indies. In 1797, Washington further expanded and diversified his farming operations by constructing
a distillery next to his mill.
Although Washington loved the life of a farmer, his motivation went far beyond personal satisfaction and profit. He believed that American economic
success lay in the nationʼs ability to produce agricultural products that could
be sold around the world.
#2
Most of this four-acre enclosure was devoted to
an orchard that produced the apples, cherries,
peaches and other fruits needed in the kitchen.
Vegetables, grains and pasture grasses were
grown in beds and allowed to “go to seed,”
providing the seed essential to next seasonʼs
planting. Hedging plants, boxwood and trees
were also propagated here, and nurtured until
they reached a size to be transplanted to a permanent location.
Under this system no crop except
clover or grass was planted in the
same field for more than one year in
a row. He pastured his livestock to
graze on fields planted with grass,
and their manure helped to replace
valuable nutrients in the soil. Buckwheat was plowed under while still
green to service as natural soil enhancer, or “green manure.”
time believed that by rotating crops,
their fields would not become “exhausted” or depleted of nourishment.
Although not the first farmer to use
crop rotation, he was one of the first
to develop a rotation schedule of
more than three years. At left is an
example of his seven-year crop rotation.
Washington and other farmers of his
#3
#4
Advantageous Fencing
“Much fencing is necessary at this plantation before it can be said to be advantageously laid off and in good order.” George Washington to John Fairfax, January 1, 1789
When it came to fencing, George Washington was ahead of his time. Not only
did he use fences to keep deer and other wild animals away from his crops,
fencing was also part of his plan to keep his soil healthy. By fencing his livestock in the fields of grass, he was able to use their manure as a natural fertilizer to improve the quality of his soil. Washington used four basic fence types,
each with its own purpose.
Split Rail fences were moveable and used
primarily around fields. Their big advantage
was that they could be laid around trees and
other obstacles.
Wattle fencing was tightly woven to pen
poultry and small animals as protection
against predators such as foxes.
Post and Rail fences were used to
permanently mark boundary lines and keep
animals on and off fields.
Hurdle fences were small and moveable
and used primarily to keep animals in an area
for grazing and manuring.
#5
The Midas Touch
“When I speak of a knowing farmer, I mean on who understands the best course
of crops; how to plough, to sow, to mow, to hedge, to Ditch and above all, Midas
like, one can convert everything he touches into manure.”
George Washington to George William Fairfax, June 30, 1785
George Washington knew from
observation and experience it over planting depleted the soil of nutrients. Even
without the benefit of our modern knowledge of biochemistry, he found ways to
improve the soil through careful experimentation. In addition to animal manure
and “green manure” such as buckwheat
and clover, he used other natural fertilizers including:
Creek Mud, which had rich nutrients similar
to those provided by animal manure.
Fish Heads, which provided nutrients and
organic materials as they decomposed in the soil.
Marl, which was described at the time as
“chalky clay.” Today we know Marl is similiar to lime, which is used to lower
soil acidity.
Plaster of Paris: which is still made chiefly
of calcium sulfate or gypsum. Gypsum is used
today to loosen heavy,
clay-like soil without
changing its PH balance.
It also adds calcium and
sulfur, both of which are
important for plant growth.
#6
Innovative Barn
“I am now erecting a building for the express
purpose of treading.” George Washington to Anthony Whitting,
October 26, 1792
Between 1792 and 1795, Washington built a
16-sided treading barn at Dogue Run Farm.
Long frustrated by the inefficiency of threshing
grain out of doors under the “vissitudes of
weather”, Washington designed this circular
barn so that wheat could be tread indoors by
horses and mules.
From the treading floor on the second level, the grain fell between slatted
floorboards to the level below, where it was gather, cleaned, and sent to the
gristmill to be ground. Washingtonʼs design was the only one of its kind.
However, with the increasing availability of reliable threshing machines by the
end of the 18th century,” he discontinued his plans to build additional treading
barns at Mount Vernon.
George Washington:
Visionary
Sunrise to Sunset
#7
Farmer
“The sun never caught him in bed, and he was unwilling to find any of his
people sleeping.” George Washington slave,1838
In 1799, most of Mount Vernonʼs 316 slaves were field workers; and well
over half of the field workers were women. Overseers supervised the work
on each farm and reported to a farm manager, who oversaw production of all
four farms. According to a 1799 census, the
population of the four outlying farms was as
follows:
Name_____________________
_____________
Dogue Run Farm - 45 slaves:
17 adult women, 7 adult men, 21 children
River Farm - 57 slaves:
23 adult women, 15 adult men, 19 children
Muddy Hole Farm - 42 slaves:
17 adult women, 7 adult men, 18 children
Union Farm - 74 slaves:
24 adult women, 16 adult men, 34 children
Carried out in “gangs” of eight to ten people, the slavesʼ jobs varied with the
seasons. In the spring, they planted and cared for the crops. During the
harvesting season in late summer and fall, farm workers were joined by other
enslaved laborers from the gristmill and Mansion House Farm, where the
Washingtons lived. Everyone worked hard to harvest the crops on time.
Although winter was a quieter season, there was still much work to do. Crops
had to be processed, seeds saved, ditches dug, firewood cut, corn husked,
fences repaired, and hogs slaughtered and preserved for food.
Date____________________
Use each of
the sign images to answer the
questions
Handout #1
George Washington: Innovative Farmer
Name__________________________________
Date____________________
Use each of the sign images to answer the questions below. Match each image to a question
number and answer all parts of the question related to that image.
Image #1
a) Why did George Washington switch his cash crop from tobacco to wheat?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b) George Washington modified his farmland in many ways. Identify the human-made features
found on his farms.
_______________________________, ______________, _____________, _______________
______________________, _______________, ________________
c) George Washington used wagons to get wheat and corn to the mills for processing. To whom
did Washington sell his flour, cornmeal, and other products? How were these products transported to market?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Image #2
Washington had 8000 acres of forested land. After these trees were cut, Washington used some
of the land for other agricultural activities.
a) List 3 ways he used the land shown on this map.
_____________________________________
______________________________________
_____________________________________
b) What types of trees did he grow? Why did he grow these?
Types of trees:
_________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Why these trees? ______________________________________________________________
Handout #2
Name__________________________________
Date____________________
below. Match each image to a
question number and answer all
parts of the question related to
that image.
c) What were seedbeds used for?
___________________________________________________________________________
Image #3.
Washington used a complicated system of rotating the crops planted in his fields.
a) Why did Washington believe crop rotation was a good process for farmers to use?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b) What crops in Washingtonʼs rotation were grown for profit and for food? Which were grown for
fertilizer?
Image #1
Why did George Washington _
for profit and food_______________________________________________________________
for fertilizer____________________________________________________________________
c) What was the pattern for growing clover or grass?
___________________________________________________________________________
d) Why did Washington place livestock in the grass and clover fields?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
e) When was buckwheat planted? Why was it planted then?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Image #4
Washington strongly believed in using fences on his farms.
a) Name the type of fence that matches each of its uses.
___________________________ was moveable and used primarily around fields
___________________________ was used to protect animals from predators
___________________________ was used to permanently mark boundary lines and keep animals on and off fields
___________________________ was used to keep animals in an area for grazing and manuring
Handout #2
b) What is the big advantage of split-rail fences?
___________________________________________________________________________
Image #5
Washington rotated crops to improve the quality of the soil.
a) Name five other ways Washington used to improve soil quality.
______________________________ such as buckwheat and clover were used as fertilizers.
______________________________was natural fertilizer.
______________________________decomposed in the soil and were used as a fertilizer.
______________________________which was a “chalky clay” was used like lime is used today
to lower soil acidity.
______________________________which is made of calcium sulfate or gypsum was used to
change the PH balance.
b) What human-made-feature did Washington build to illustrated concern for improving the soil?
___________________________________________________________________________
Image #6
A 16-sided barn was one of the most interesting human-made features Washington built.
a) What geographic characteristic forced Washington to build this unique barn?
___________________________________________________________________________
b) If this barn was such a good idea, why didnʼt Washington build more?
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Image #7
As a military and political leader, Washington was often away from his farm for long periods of
time. Yet, his farms were quite successful.
a) How were the farms maintained?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
b) Name 3 jobs done on the farm? Place a star next to the jobs that were connected with modifications of the environment.
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________________
Assessment #1
GEORGE WASHINGTON DESCRIBES METHODS OF FARMING
Name ________________________________________
Date ________________________
Match the small photographs to each of the quotes. Next identify the topic:
crops, animals, farm buildings. etc. that Washington was writing about. Write
the letter or each photograph linked to a quote on the lines.
1
"My object is to recover the fields from the exhausted state into which
they have fallen, by oppressive crops and to restore them (if possible by
any means in my power) to health and vigour. But two ways will enable
me to accomplish this. This first is to cover them with as much manure as
possible (winter and summer). The 2d a judicious succession of crops."
George Washington (Letter to William Pearce,Dec. 18, 1793)
Topic:
Photographs:
______
_______
2
"No estate in United America is more pleasantly situated than this.
It lyes in a high, dry and healthy Country 300 miles by water from the
Sea...on one of the finest Rivers in the world."
George Washington to Arthur Young, British agriculturist, December 12, 1793)
Photographs:
______
Topic:
_______
3
“tis always in oneʼs power to cut a tree down, but time only can place
them where one would have them, after the ground is stripped...”
George Washington (Letter to his manager, January 25, 1795)
Photographs:
______
Topic:
_______
4
“When I speak of a knowing farmer, I mean one who understands the
best course of crops; how to plough, to sow, to mow, to hedge, to Ditch...."
George Washington (Letter to George William Fairfax, June 30, 1785)
Photographs:
______
_______
Topic:
#2George Washington: Visionary Farmer
Assessment #2
5
"I am resolved to build a Barn and treading floor at Dogue Run Plantation,
and to do it as soon as other more pressing work will permit; Now I give you a
general Bill and plan of the building."
George Washington (Letter to Anthony Whiting, Farm Manager, October, 1792)
Name_____________________
_____________
Date____________________
Topic:
Photographs:
______
6
“I had paid much attention of my sheep, and was proud in being able to
produce perhaps the largest mutton and the greatest quantity of wool from
my sheep that could then be produced...”
George Washington (Letter to Henry Gough, February 4, 1792)
Use each of the sign images to
answer the questions below.
Match each image to a question
number and answer all parts of
the question related to that
image.
Topic:
Photographs:
______
_______
7
"Began to plant Corn in the common way at the Ferry on Monday last few
fish heads and guts & ca. Ordered to be put into some of the Corn hills, to
try the effect of them as manure."
George Washington (Diary entry, May 9, 1787)
Topic:
Photographs:
______
_______
8
“tell a farmer... that his Cattle & ca. Ought to be regularly penned in
summer and secured from bad weather in winter, and the utmost attention
paid to the making of manure for the improvement of his fields at both seasons; that his oxen should be well attended to, and kept in good and fit condition, thereby enabling them to perform the labour which they must
undergo; to remind him of these things..."
Image #1
Why did George Washington _
George Washington (Letter to William Pearce, Sept. 23, 1793)
Photographs:
______
_______
Topic:
Assessment Photographs
C
B
A
D
G
J
M
E
F
H
I
K
L
N
O