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Lesson

Teaching with Young Washington

Guiding question

How do stories about George Washington’s early life shape our understanding of leadership, civic virtue, and American identity?

Published
Jul 1, 2026
A person in red attire rides a horse along a wooded path in a foggy forest.

Essential Questions: 

  • How do stories about George Washington’s early life shape our understanding of leadership, civic virtue, and American identity? 
  • How do stories of setbacks and self-discovery shape who we become? 

Learning Goals: 

Students will: 

  • Critically analyze film as a historical source. 
  • Apply historical thinking skills: sourcing, contextualization, and corroboration. 
  • Use Story Explorer Profiles to deepen perspective-taking. 
  • Connect film depictions to real primary sources. 
  • Reflect on civic virtue or moral lessons tied to the film. 

Materials

Teacher Materials

Student Materials 

Lesson resources

Text from a family discussion guide titled "Big Themes to Explore Together."
Educator ResourceYoung Washington Family Discussion Guide

Discussion questions for families and teachers to guide talks after the film.

Text outlining an extended discussion guide for students about Young Washington and his impact on leadership and civic virtues.
Educator ResourceYoung Washington Extended Discussion Guide

Recall, Interpretive, and Reflective questions for extending discussion in the classroom.

Text discussing the background context for young George Washington's life and experiences prior to the American Revolution.
Educator ResourceBackground Context for Young Washington

Background information to help teachers gain context about George Washington in relation to the movie.

Text on a webpage featuring character biographies, focusing on George Washington's early life and work ethic.
Educator ResourceYoung Washington Character Biographies

Background information on key characters of the film.

Text description of a lesson adaptation resource for teaching grades 7-9, focusing on media literacy and discussion.
Educator ResourceYoung Washington Lesson Adaptation Guides

Two lesson adaptation options to help modify or scaffold the Teaching with Young Washington lesson for grades 7-9. Adaptation 1 emphasizes media literacy and writing, while Adaptation 2 focuses on character and discussion. Choose the approach that best fits students’ needs.

Resource overview discussing strategies for connecting primary sources to film clips for educational purposes.
Educator ResourceStrategies for Connecting Primary Sources to Film Clips with Young Washington

This guide provides three strategies for connecting primary sources to film clips.

Lesson plan

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More Information

Facilitation Note:

  • For more information on George Washington and the historical context of the film, including the French and Indian War, see the Background on Young Washington document.  
  • Before class begins, view the movie clips and determine if students will all be watching the same clip, or if you will assign different clips to different students. 
  • Prior to class, print and cut the story explorer profile cards.  
  • For additional options for scaffolding and modification, see the Young Washington Lesson Adaptation Guides teacher resource  

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →