{"id":2303,"date":"2010-01-31T17:41:59","date_gmt":"2010-01-31T22:41:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/archives\/2303"},"modified":"2010-01-31T17:41:59","modified_gmt":"2010-01-31T22:41:59","slug":"teaching-civics-with-childrens-literature-a-picture-book-of-george-washington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/2010\/01\/31\/teaching-civics-with-childrens-literature-a-picture-book-of-george-washington\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: A Picture Book of George Washington"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"a-picture-book-of-george-washington-book-cover-image.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A Picture Book of George Washington<\/a>, written by David A. Adler<\/a>, illustrated by John & Alexandra Wallner is a simple biography about George Washington.\u00a0 It provides important facts and dates relevant to a student in the lower elementary grades.\u00a0 It covers basic information about the "Father of Our Country" from his birth on February 22, 1732 in a simple Virginia farmhouse to his death in 1799.\u00a0 It includes information about George as a young boy who "liked to fish and go boating" and "most of all liked to ride his horse".\u00a0 Then it goes on to describe George in school and that "his favorite subject was arithmetic".\u00a0 This helps children relate to the man who was so important to the founding of our country.\u00a0 The book continues on through several parts of George's life including such events as leading Virginia soldiers against the French in the French and Indian War, marrying Martha Custis, and George being elected the first president of the United States of America in 1789.\u00a0 The book ends perfectly with,<\/p>\n

George Washington was a great leader.\u00a0 He has been
\ncalled the "Father of Our Country."\u00a0 It has been said that
\nGeorge Washington was "First in war, first in peace and
\nfirst in the hearts of his countrymen."<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The illustrations are colorful and engaging.\u00a0 They are a good representation of what life would have looked like when George Washington was alive.\u00a0 The student can get a visual idea of clothing, homes, hair styles, and transportation in the 1700s.\u00a0 The end of the book includes an “Important Dates” time line that is a good overview of the main events in George Washington's life.<\/p>\n

Curriculum Connections<\/strong><\/p>\n

This book is suitable for any age and would be a good addition to any Kindergarten to third grade classroom library.\u00a0 It can be used to introduce or reinforce any lesson related to George Washington and\/or President's Day.\u00a0 It would be particularly useful in support of the Standard of Learning which states the student will identify George Washington, among others, as an American whose contributions improved the lives of other Americans.\u00a0 (VA SOL 1.2, VA SOL 2.11, 3.11b)\u00a0 The book also illustrates what things looked like in the past & how life was different when George Washington was alive.\u00a0 This could lead to good discussions and comparisons of past and present.\u00a0 (VA SOL K.2, 1.1, 2.3)\u00a0 Or it can be used to recognize that history describes people of other times such as George Washington (VA SOL K.1a) or identify people honored by the holiday of Presidents’ Day. (VA SOL K.1b, 1.3)\u00a0 This is a book the teacher can read aloud to the students and many beginning readers can also read independently.<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n