Sing to the Tune

Sing to the Tune

Practice: Get ready for some activities.

Activity 1

Step 1

When George Washington was elected president, he packed up and traveled from Mount Vernon in Virginia to New York where the capital was. Along the eight day journey, crowds gathered to cheer and celebrate. The celebrations got bigger and bigger until in New York they had a parade and boat show with bands playing, banners waving, people singing and 13-gun salutes.

Step 2

In a group, write a short song about George Washington. It is easiest if you choose a tune that your whole group knows, for example, Mary Had a Little Lamb, If You’re Happy and You Know it, The Wheels on the Bus, and Itsy Bitsy Spider. Find a fact you want to write about and fit it into the tune. It is tricky sometimes. Work together and be creative.

Step 3

Sample:

(Sing to the tune of “If Your Happy and You Know It”)

Washington was the father of our land-*clap*clap

Washington was the father of our land-*clap*clap*

He wrote the constitution,

Was the first president.

Washington was the father of our land-*clap*clap*

Washington was the first General- *clap*clap*

Washington was the first General- *clap*clap*

He was disciplined and brave

To fight for liberty.

Washington was the first General- *clap*clap*

Activity 2
Watch the video and pay attention to the materials and supplies you will need.

If you and your students are interested, enjoy some of the extra activities below!

Map Activity

Land surveyors are the people who plot, measure, and record the details of land to help people plan and build on the land. People used these maps to locate landmarks and find good places to build.

Supplies Needed: Paper, pencils, ruler

Step 1

Bring a stuffed animal to school and teach them the rules and why they are important.

Step 2

Have students draw a map of the classroom. Draw a grid on the map. (Using a ruler, lightly draw lines about an inch apart – vertically and horizontally)

Step 3

Label the horizontal side with letters and the vertical side with numbers.

Step 4

Using one of the maps on the overhead, ask two students to go to one of the grid squares. The first one to locate the spot and stand there gets to use their map on the overhead and choose a coordinate for two more students.

For example, using Fred’s map, Fred will say “Go to E9”, and two students will figure out where E9 is on the map and stand on that spot. In this example, they should stand by Brad.

Step 5

The first one there is the next student to choose a spot for two different students.

Step 6

Notes: This could be adapted to small groups of three (one chooses the spot, two find the spot, the first one there chooses the next spot) depending on the size of the class and space.

Make a Journal

George Washington kept a prayer journal where he wrote down his prayers. George Washington’s journal is titled The Daily Sacrifice and was written in his own handwriting in his youth- up to age 20. Prayer journals help you focus your thoughts when you are making hard decisions or trying to do right when it is not the easy path. It helps you remember the important reasons you are standing strong in the face of difficulty.

Supplies Needed: Five pieces of plain paper, one piece of card stock, pencils for each student, and a stapler

Step 1

Special treat to eat—but you have to obey the rule!

Step 2

To make your own journal get four or five pieces of plain paper and one piece of cardstock for the cover.

Step 3

Fold all the papers in half, staple the folded edge, and decorate the cover.

Step 4

Give it a title and maybe a Bible verse or quote.

Step 5

Now think about a hard situation that you find yourself in, perhaps a disagreement with a friend, or an important decision that you have to make. Write down your thoughts. Pray about what you think your response should be and write down your thoughts. Do this for a few days and see if a journal helps you focus your thoughts, remember important reasons that you a standing strong, and do the right thing even if it is hard.