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The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.
Here are the teacher pack items for The New Republic:
Overview In this experience, students create a group list of actions they think are necessary to establish a new government. Then they examine laws passed during Washington’s presidency and explain how several of them helped establish the new government. Next, they learn about precedents Washington set, including the democratic transfer of executive power and the tradition of Presidents serving no more than two terms. Finally, they interpret a brief excerpt from Washington’s Farewell Address about the Constitution and restate it in their own words. If you have access to leveled readers that include stories about George or Martha Washington during these years, assign them to the students in parallel to this experience. Estimated duration: 35-45 minutes Vocabulary words: Objectives
Did you know that George Washington was not eager to become the first President of the United States? Washington worried about the challenges of leading the new government and wondered if he was prepared for such an important job. In this lesson, you will learn how Washington helped set up the new government during his first term. You will also learn about the precedents he set. A precedent is an example that future leaders can choose to follow.
Objectives
Washington delivering his inaugural address, April 1789, painted by T.H. Matteson
When Washington took office, he began setting up the new government. He chose people to lead important parts of the government and give him advice. This group became known as the Cabinet.
Alexander Hamilton became Secretary of the Treasury. Thomas Jefferson became Secretary of State. Henry Knox became Secretary of War, and Edmund Randolph became Attorney General.
James Madison was also one of Washington’s advisers, even though he served in Congress rather than in the Cabinet. Together, Washington and his advisers made many decisions about how the new government would work.
List an action you think would be necessary to establish a new government. If someone has already posted the action you have in mind, try to think of a different one.
Students answered a similar question at the end of Unit 2. After learning more about the federal government, students may have new ideas. Sample answers may include: set up the three branches of government, choose people to lead each branch, create checks and balances, make laws, set up courts, collect taxes, decide how the government will spend money, and protect the country.
When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.
