Second Continental Congress Matching
At the end of the First Continental Congress, delegates planned to reconvene with the Second Continental Congress the following spring in case Parliament did not respond. However, as war had broken out in Lexington & Concord, they also became the head of
the war effort. Explore some well-known and not-so-well-known delegates to the Second Continental Congress through this matching activity.
Lives Bound Together Suggested Activities
These scaffolded Activity Suggestion Sheets give quick, grab-and-go activities for you to implement into lesson plans. The sheets cover the lives and stories of the people enslaved at Mount Vernon.
These sheets were created by 2024 LifeGuard Teacher Fellows Kristin Pankey and Andrea Thompson.
First Continental Congress Matching
After the Boston Tea Party occurred in December of 1773, Parliament retaliated with the Coercive Acts, punishing not only Massachusetts but all of the Thirteen Colonies. To address this with a united front, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in September and October of 1775. This activity explores notable delegates to Congress and other primary sources.
Invisible Ink
Spies in the American Revolution used invisible ink to secretly pass messages that were crucial to the war effort. This activity teaches you to make your own invisible ink and write your own secret messages!
Animals Matching Activity
Many different animals and insects lived at Mount Vernon in the eighteenth century, and many of the same breeds live at Mount Vernon today. Through this matching activity and primary sources, explore the importance of these animals to Washington and his estate.
Cookbook Scavenger Hunt
Due to modern technology and trade, it is possible in the United States to get most foods year-round. However, in the eighteenth century, people were limited based on when food could be harvested or caught. This activity compares modern recipes to seasonal eating in the eighteenth century.
Rules of Civility Matching
As a teenager, George Washington copied the Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company in Conversation to practice his penmanship. The 110 rules covered many of the social graces of the time period. We have many of the same rules in society today. Complete this matching activity to learn some of the rules' modern equivalent.
Artifact Observations
Use this helpful notetaking sheet to have young students record observations about an archaeological artifact.
Colonial Life Activities
These grab-and-go activity suggestions support instruction in colonial textiles and foodways, using archaeology and other primary sources to demonstrate different aspects of colonial life.
The Founding of the U.S. Government Suggested Activity Sheets
These activity sheets provide grab-and-go activity ideas about the foundation of the U.S. Constitution, government, and presidency. With different options for Elementary, Middle, and High School students, these activity suggestion sheets have something for every grade level. These sheets were created by 2024 LifeGuard Teacher Fellows Emily Finch and Tamera Johnson.
Where is Washington?
George Washington's name and face is all around us. Using this scavenger hunt, you'll be able to find him not just about Mount Vernon, but all over your neighborhood!