Examining How George Washington Carver’s Life was Similar and Different

EXPLORATION

EARLY ELEMENTARY  |  SOCIAL STUDIES

Examining how George Washington Carver’s Life was Similar and Different

Students will examine George Washington Carver’s life and time, and examine how it is similar or different to our lives today.

Time

15-20 minutes

Setting

Inside

Collection Group

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER

 

Standards

• SS1H1b. Students describe how everyday life of these historical figures is similar to and different from everyday life in the present (food, clothing, homes, transportation, communication, recreation).

Materials

In the Garden with Dr. Carver by Susan Grigsby
(Above photo from illustrator Nicole Tadgell: http://nicoletadgell.blogspot.com/2010/09/in-garden-with-dr-carver.html)

Procedures

1. Read In the Garden with Dr. Carver and look for clues of what the food, clothing, homes, transportation, communication, and recreation were like in George Washington Carver’s time.Some ideas are below: What did they eat?
   Pg 16-17 / Notice the foods at the picnic (sweet potato bread, foraged salad, ice cream, cake). What did they wear?
   Pg 1-2 / Notice the clothing of the kids and adults.Where did they live?
   Pg 11 / Notice home with the outhouse.

   How did they get around?
   Cover page, pg 1 / Noice mule and wagon. To see real photos of his moveable school, visit https://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/tuskegee/gwcwagon.htm

   How did they talk to each other?
   Pg 1-3 / Notice that they visited to share ideas

   What did they do for fun?

   Pg 3 / Notice children playing games outside
   Pg 14 / Notice wooden wheelbarrow

2. With the class analyze how they compare to today – which are the same and which are different.

Recommended Resources

Online

• 7 Facts on George Washington Carver –  http://www.biography.com/news/george-washington-carver-facts-national-peanut-month
• Carver’s Publication on Peanuts – http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/carver-peanut/
• Carver’s Publication on Sweet Potatoes – http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/additional-resources/carver-sweetpotatoes/
• Photos of Carver and his tools – https://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/tuskegee/gwcwagon.htm
• Brainpop Jr video – https://educators.brainpop.com/bp-jr-topic/george-washington-carver/

Children’s Literature

• In the Garden with Dr. Carver by Susan Grigsby
• What is Science by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
• What is a Scientist? by Barbara Lehn

Explorations in this Collection

Growing Sweet Potatoes like George Washington Carver

Cooking Sweet Potatoes like George Washington Carver

Exploring George Washington Carver’s Contributions to Science

Examining How George Washington Carver’s Life was Similar and Different