American History Through the Life of George Washington

The last time we studied American history in our homeschool, I did something new. I decided to teach the 1700’s portion with George Washington as the central figure. Although it’s hard to pinpoint my favorite era in American history, the 1700’s and the winning of independence is at the top of my list. And George Washington is truly one of the greatest men who ever lived.

Washington’s role in American history is very large, and goes back before the American Revolution. He was a Virginian, a landowner, and a loyal British subject. He first became a surveyor of the western land, at a time when colonists were rapidly moving westward and exploring the new territories of Kentucky and Tennessee. He went on to play important roles in the French and Indian War, which would prepare him for his much larger role as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. And of course, he became the first President of the United States.

Not only was he an important man and great soldier, he was a man of high character who did everything for God and his country. He was humble, and yet he was a great leader. He loved his wife dearly, and was constantly torn between his commitment to her and his commitment to the freedom of a new nation. His writings reveal his heart and his character.

Washington’s life encompassed most of the 1700s, so it was the perfect background to our entire study of world history and American history. If you’re new to my website, you might want to read about how we study history in our homeschool. Then jump in and peruse this list of resources. There are a few really great books that we use, and then we add a ton of free (or very inexpensive) resources.

This study is for all of my children, all ages from 6-16. I like to teach history for all the senses, and I want to make it memorable. Kids will remember things they saw and felt and tasted and heard much more than a list of names, dates, and battles. You might like my blog post Making History Fun for more ideas.

Reading assignments are totally up to you. We use a mixture of read-alouds by me, Audible, and quiet reading. It depends on each book and each child. For read-alouds, I generally gather all the kids together. I do allow the use of Audible for many, many books. This is obviously flexible depending on each child.

This post contains affiliate links. 

Books About George Washington

The Life of George Washington by John Marshall is perfect for teens and up, as well as those young children who are ambitious readers and love history! It is an amazing 5-volume biography written in 1804-1807. Volumes 1 and 2 are already available in our Knowledge Keepers Bookstore, and the final three volumes are coming soon!

George Washington, Sower Series

By Mott Media, LLC See history come alive…learn of many hidden facts involving famous men and women from the pages of their diaries, letters to friends, books they wrote, etc. Washington was not a preacher or great Bible scholar, and he did not speak or act in this manner. He was much like the average member of your church, for he sat regularly in the pews of many churches. Daily Washington lived by the biblical teachings he gleaned from his Bible reading. And he was a sower of the seeds of faith to others. For ages 9 to 13.

The Light and the Glory, revised and expanded edition: 1492 – 1793

By Peter Marshall & David ManuelDid Columbus believe that God called him west to undiscovered lands? Does American democracy owe its inception to the handful of Pilgrims that settled at Plymouth? If, indeed, there was a specific, divine call upon this nation, is it still valid today?The Light and the Glory answers these questions and many more for history buffs. As readers look at their nation’s history from God’s point of view, they will begin to have an idea of how much we owe to a very few–and how much is still at stake. Now revised and expanded for the first time in more than thirty years, The Light and the Glory is poised to show new readers just how special their country is.

The Light and the Glory for Young Readers: 1492-1787

By Peter Marshall, David Manuel & Anna Wilson FishelAdapted for children ages 8-12, The Light and the Glory for Young Readers explains American history through the lens of the providential-history approach, showing how God intervened over and over again in history just to create a place where His followers could worship. Telling the tale of Columbus, the Spanish missionaries, Roanoke Colony, and more, learn how Jamestown’s proximity to swamps shows that they didn’t seek the Lord’s direction, how King Phillip’s War was due to God lifting protective grace, and how “this fighting was more than a war over land. This was a spiritual battle… yet, God continued to take care of His people by showing them special favor.” Study guide with questions and answers included. 186 pages, softcover. Ages 8-12. 

Moms and Dads, I highly recommend that you read along with your kids! If you’re like most parents who were raised in the public school system, you’ll want a deeper education in American history. Start with Prelude to Independence: The Life of the George Washington, Volume 1. It’s such an interesting overview of the evolution of the American colonies, and how they came together to gain their independence. Let your teens read it, too, or read it aloud to everyone.

George Washington (Sower Series) is a perfect story re-telling that includes more about Washington’s childhood and teen years, his relationship with his brother Lawrence after his father’s death, his marriage to Martha Parke Custis, and more. My teenagers read The Light and the Glory on their own and worked the Study Guide. I read The Light and the Glory for Young Readers aloud to everyone 10 and under.

Below you will find specific resources and activities for each time period.

Intro to the 1700s

It’s always fun to really dive in to the culture of a historic time. Clothing, homes, food, music, art — these all make us feel as if we are there. And sometimes they help us to understand the actions of a people more deeply.

Books:

• Colonial Kids: An Activity Guide to Life in the New World Fun and easy crafts to do
• Life in Colonial America – Coloring Book – I LOVE these Dover coloring books for all historic time periods, and this is no exception.
• Rip Van Winkle
• Discover the 13 Colonies Notebooking Unit at Education Possible (middle school)
• George Washington’s World by Genevieve Foster. The perfect history book that gives a worldwide view of the 1700’s and George Washington’s time. All of her books are excellent, and give a great overview of how and when world history and American history intermingles:

“When George was a young man, Benjamin Franklin was the most well-known American, Louis XV was on the throne of France, and George II was king of England. Father Junipero Serra had just arrived in Mexico to work with the Panes Indians. Mozart and Bach were writing their immortal music and Voltaire warred with his pen against Ignorance, Injustice and Superstition. The young nobleman Lafayette watched the feisty American colonies with fascinated interest as they stood up to Mother England when she sought to tax them unfairly. James Cook was sent by the Royal Society of London to Tahiti where their team of astronomers might observe a total eclipse of the sun and thereby accurately measure the distance between the earth and the sun. These are just a few of the wonderful narratives explored by Foster in her Newbery Honor Book of 1940.”

The Indian Tribes

It’s very important to understand the different Indians of the Northeast and the colonies. They played important roles throughout the 1700s in Colonial America.

The 18th Century Through the Life of George Washington

George Washington was born in 1734

His father Augustine Washington, passed away while George was still young, so he was raised mostly by his mother and his older brother. Learn about Mount Vernon, Washington’s home on the Potomac River, and his marriage to wealthy widow Martha Dandridge Custis.

We read:

• George Washington by Ingri d’Aulaire, a classic, beautiful picture book, perfect for younger students
• George Washington (Sower Series) -Chapters 1-3
• George Washington, Writings – The Colonial Period 1747-1750
• George Washington: A Picture Book Biography
• Servant to Abigail Adams

Daniel Boone

Daniel Boone was such a fascinating character, and one who played a nearly opposite role in the colonial period of America. It’s fun to study him during this time!

Read:

• A Picture Book of Daniel Boone
• Daniel Boone’s Own Story (his autobiography)

Do:

• Lapbook of Daniel Boone – North American Explorer
• Make a leather “possibles” bag. We made one out of vinyl (it’s cheaper than leather and looks pretty good!)

French and Indian War

During the 1750’s, the French Army increasingly pushed its way into British colonial territories. In addition to this, Native Americans joined the French, resulting in what was known as the French and Indian War, pitting the British army and the American colonists against the French and many Indians. George Washington served as a major in the British forces.

Read:

• George Washington (Sower Series) – Chapters 4-7
• George Washington, Writings – French and Indian War period January 1754 through May 1775
• The Matchlock Gun
• The Sign of the Beaver
• The Last of the Mohicans (original Audible version)
• The Last of the Mohicans (Illustrated Classics version)
• The Last of the Mohicans is just one part of the Leatherstocking Tales

Watch:

• Alone Yet Not Alone
• Last of the Mohicans
• The Sign of the Beaver (Free with Amazon Prime membership, or order the DVD)
• PBS Video The War That Made America

Do:

• Create a Sign of the Beaver lapbook, or add these activities to a history notebook
• Let your younger kids try loom beading with pony beads
• Let your younger kids try weaving yarn on a cardboard loom
• Check out this list of 15 Hands-On History Ideas for Middle School Kids Studying the French and Indian War 
• See this great post on a hands-on lesson on the French and Indian War
• French and Indian War Map Activity ($2.50 download)

General Washington and the American Revolution

Let me just say that the resources for homeschoolers to teach the American Revolution are ENDLESS. You really have to narrow it down to your favorites, or just plan to spend an entire year on the subject. (Which I am totally not opposed to!) So I’m sharing here what we used, as well as some other great stuff to choose from.

This is a subject I am very passionate about. When students learn the whole story of the forming of this nation, they own their American heritage. And when they own this heritage, they develop a patriotism and a belief in our system that follows them into adhulthood. That’s when they will make decisions that affect the entire country. They will act and live and vote and spend according to their beliefs and understanding of how this country works.

And if they’re like me, they’ll cry when someone sings the Star Spangled Banner, or when they watch Schoolhouse Rock‘s “The Shot Heard Round the World” or read Patrick Henry’s address to the Virginia Burgesses. This history will be real and the effects of it today will be real, and the need to preserve it will be real.

For high school students, this is the perfect time to learn about American Government. Our government was born out of the Revolution, and when the two are studied together, it makes so much sense. See my links below for a couple of free guides to do this.

After the French and Indian War, King George began taxing the American colonists to pay for that war. (The war was also fought in Europe, and the colonies had no part in those foreign affairs.) But he neglected to get their input. You know, taxation without representation? New taxes and rules led to all sorts of outrage, including the Boston Tea Party, and the battles of Lexington and Concord. The First Continental Congress was held as the colonies united in their desire for independence.

Read:

• George Washington (Sower Series) – Chapter 8
• The Light and the Glory Chapter 14
• George Washington, Writings – Commander of the Continental Army 1775-1783
• Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (illustrate by Ted Rand)
• The Boston Tea Party by Steven Kroll
• Johnny Tremain
• Read Patrick Henry’s famous speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses
• Read the Declaration of Independence (and also my post on The History of the Declaration of Independence with free study guide!)
• Ben Franklin: Inventing America
• Revolution Remembered: Eyewitness Accounts of the War for Independence

Watch:

• Johnny Tremain
• Drive Thru History: American History
• School House Rock: America Rock – “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World”

Do:

• We made notebooking pages for “events leading up to the American Revolution.” I gave my younger kids a list, and had the older kids research online. You could also add these events to a timeline.

• The boys (ages 9 and 11) did daily copywork from George Washington’s Rules of Civility I copied it on the chalkboard (one or two rules daily) and they wrote it on notebook paper for their history notebooks.

(See my post on History Smashbooks)

As tensions mounted, the Continental Congress realized the need for a real army. The minutemen were good, but they weren’t trained soldiers fit for a long war against the British forces. So George Washington was appointed Commander of the Continental Army, and was given authority to raise and train a real army. They would now fight against Great Britain.

Read:

• George Washington (Sower Series) – Chapters 9-111
• George Washington, Writings
• The Light and the Glory – chapters 15-17

Do:

• Draw a Revolutionary soldier and cannon from Draw and Write Through History
• Continue cursive copywork from Rules of Civility
• Read my post all about the Culper Spy Ring that George Washington initiated for the Revolution.
• And definitely check out these fun games from The Classical Historian.

The U.S. Constitution and the Nation’s First President

It’s so important to understand just how revered George Washington was by his fellow Americans. After serving as the commander-in-chief of the continental army, he was asked to preside over the Constitutional Convention to create this new federal government. He was well respected by John Adams, James Madison, and the other founders.

When the presidential election was held, Washington did not desire any more roles in public life . He wanted to retire to his farm, but the United States had other plans. He reluctantly took the office of the President.

Read:

• George Washington (Sower Series) – Chapter 12
• George Washington, Writings – Presidency 1789-1797
• The Light and The Glory – Chapter 18
• My American Government and Civics Study (download here)
• Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz
• The Student’s Constitution and The Student’s Federalist Papers by Rick Green

Watch:

• Three Ring Circus from Schoolhouse Rock
• I’m Just a Bill by Schoolhouse Rock

Do:

• For an explanation of the Constitutional form of government, I drew a very basic outline on the chalkboard of the three branches of government and had the younger kids copy it onto paper for their history notebooks
• Create lapbooks or interactive notebooks on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (lots of links on this Pinterest Board)
• Look up and read Washington’s farewell address. It makes great copywork!

Private Life

Washington’s entire life was one of service to his country. He did not spend much of his marriage with Martha due to the needs of his countrymen. Though he enjoyed his life as a gentleman farmer and looked forward to horseback riding around Mount Vernon at the end of the war, he only got to do this on limited occasions. Retirement was something he certainly earned, but it was short lived. Washington passed away one night in his sleep in 1799, just before the close of the 18th century.

Read:

• George Washington, Writings – Retirement 1797-1799

As our nation’s first president, the leader and commander-in-chief of the colonial armies, and hero of the American revolutionary war, it’s easy to see that Washington was a very special person. I cannot think of a more Providential pick for leading our nation through its first century!

Additional great books on George Washington

When I teach history to my children, I am always reading a book or two on my own that follows the same subject or time period. Here are a few that I recommend, along with many of the books above.

• America’s Godly Heritage by David Barton
• The Bulletproof George Washington
• 1776 by David McCollough (I also have a wonderful interactive version that was purchased at Cracker Barrel a few years ago, but I can’t find it anywhere online now)
• Being George Washington by Glenn Beck
• The Christianity of George Washington

Thanks for joining me on this journey through the 18th Century in American History. It was such an important time in our history, and I hope after using some of my suggested resources here, you will see just how Providential it was that George Washington appeared on the scene. He and Martha Washington never had any biological children, but he has left quite a legacy to the American people.

For additional information on teaching American history in your homeschool, see these related posts:

• How NOT to Teach American History
• Excellent American History Books for Kids
• Six Great Children’s Authors on History