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

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

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

Use this information sheet paired with the Story Explorer Assignment Cards to support students in the Engage portion of the Teaching with Young Washington Lesson Plan.

What challenges did Washington and other colonists face who fought in the French and Indian War?

How did Washington's actions during the Battle of Monongahela show leadership under pressure?

How did Washington's study of the Rules of Civility influence his character and leadership?

How did ambition shape Washington's decision-making in the leadup to the skirmish at Jumonville Glen?

How did Washington support republican principles when he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief?

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

Background information on key characters of the film.

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.

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

This historian roundtable is a companion resource to Young Washington and is intended to support classroom instruction. Historians discuss the film's central themes and provide additional historical context that can help prepare for classroom discussion or extend student learning after viewing the film. Essential Question: How did race and class affect George Washington's position in the world as a young man? Topics discussed include Washington's social standing in colonial Virginia, his relationship with the Fairfax family, the role of wealth and class in shaping opportunity, and the central role of slavery in the society in which he lived.

This historian roundtable is a companion resource to Young Washington and is intended to support classroom instruction. Historians discuss the film's central themes and provide additional historical context that can help prepare for classroom discussion or extend student learning after viewing the film. Essential Questions: How did formal and informal education help develop George Washington's character? What experiences tested his character as a young man? Topics discussed include the influences of Lawrence Washington and Mary Ball Washington, the role of reading and lifelong learning in Washington's development, the impact of his limited formal education, and the experiences that shaped his confidence, judgment, and leadership as a young man.

Clips from Young Washington to be used alongside classroom resources.

Clips from Young Washington to be used alongside classroom resources.

Clips from Young Washington to be used alongside classroom resources.

Clips from Young Washington to be used alongside classroom resources.

Clips from Young Washington to be used alongside classroom resources.

Why is George Washington known as "Father of His Country"? What were his reasons for not seeking a third term as president? And what purpose did he have in his Farewell Address?

Washington secured American independence as commander of the Continental Army and established traditions as the nation’s first president.

This week, Mary brings Gary on to compare the portraits of the famous two Georges of early American history, George Washington and King George III of England. They'll explore the reasons behind each man's deliberately chosen outfits and stances. What do these paintings convey about the leaders' confidence and leadership against the backdrop of the Revolutionary War? And what unlikely similarities between the two men do these paintings reveal?

How did George Washington display the virtue of prudence through his life? Explore the influence of his prudence on the early republic and discuss what examples of prudence can be observed today.

George Washington, the nation's first president, made his first inaugural address before both houses of Congress. He acknowledged Providence as guiding the nation’s steps: "No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States."

President George Washington’s Farewell Address was not delivered as a speech, but rather printed in newspapers. Washington wrote over a period of months beginning with notes James Madison had prepared at the end of his first term. He also sought the advice of John Jay and Alexander Hamilton in formulating his message.

Kicking off our summer Close Reading series, BRI staff Kirk and Tony explore two of George Washington's most famous works, his Farewell Address and his First Inaugural Address, to understand what qualities made Washington a great leader. What underlying principles informed Washington's actions? And how did he see his role in charting the future of a nation?

George Washington spent a lifetime mastering politics before he was unanimously elected the nation’s first president. In this Scholar Talk video, Tony Williams and distinguished bestselling historian David O. Stewart discuss Stewart's new book, "George Washington: The Political Rise of America's Founding Father," and how George Washington demonstrated political genius in helping create the American republic. How did Washington grow from a brash and impatient young man to exercise the civic virtues of restraint and moderation? What are some of the lessons we can still learn from America's first Commander in Chief?

What were the causes and effects of the French and Indian War?

How did the British win the French and Indian War?

Use this primary source imagery to analyze major events in history.

This Lesson should come at the end of Unit 1 as a preview of the problems in the British colonies leading up to the American Revolution.