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.
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
- 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.htmHow did they talk to each other?
Pg 1-3 / Notice that they visited to share ideasWhat did they do for fun?
Pg 3 / Notice children playing games outside
Pg 14 / Notice wooden wheelbarrow - 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
