George’s First Day Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will discover how George Washington spent his first day as president.

 

Social Studies Focus:

Presidents’ Day, George Washington

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, sequencing

 

Page 4 Skill:

nonfiction text features

 

Vocabulary:

inauguration, tradition, oath of office, carriage

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.10 read informational texts; RI.2.5 text features; L.2.2 capitalization; W.2.3 writing; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Lexile Level:

530L

Download TEKS Standards
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Provide students with some background on Presidents’ Day.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “The Life of George Washington.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one thing you learned about George Washington?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. What do students already know about the president’s job?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how George felt about being president.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Review vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are inauguration, tradition, oath of office, and carriage.

Assessment: Reading Quiz

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

  • The “Hello George” game lets students practice capitalization as they review facts about George Washington.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words inauguration, tradition, oath of office, and carriage.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

  • The George’s Journal skill sheet allows students to imagine they are George and use scaffolded sentences to reflect on their first day as president.

ELA Focus: Sequencing (15 min.)

  • Students will analyze a graphic organizer and identify significant events in George’s life with the George Washington Timeline skill sheet.

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on Presidents' Day:

  • “All Aboard, Abe!,” February 2021. Students will discuss how Abraham Lincoln traveled to the White House when he became president.
  • “George’s Secret Trip,” February 2020. This issue analyzes the significance of George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher-Lexile level: 610L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 480L