Procedures

• WARM-UP:

  Think-Pair-Share:

  Provide the students with the following question.

  What happens to people’s belongings when they pass away? George Washington was the first president of the United States. What do you think happened to his mementos when he passed away?

  Have students think about their answer and share their responses with a partner and then to the whole group either in class or on a discussion board.

• VOCABULARY INTRODUCTION:

  Have students complete the vocabulary activity. If using their personal devices, they should make a copy of the Google Slide and match each term to the appropriate definition. If they are using this as a printed handout, they can draw arrows to the correct match.

  HANDOUT: Arlington House: Vocabulary Activity (Google Slide)

  Students will match definitions for the following vocabulary terms:

  • Mt. Vernon
  • Tenure
  • Union
  • Confederate
  • Veteran
  • Reconciliation

• EXPLORATION:

  After reviewing the vocabulary terms and addressing any misconceptions, have students view the following video clip to hear Adam Gresek from the National Parks service tell the story of Arlington House. Students should complete the related Graphic Organizer with information from the video and answer the accompanying questions.

  HANDOUT: Arlington House Graphic Organizer (Google Slide)

  VIDEO CLIP: Arlington House (8:42)

  1. Why was Arlington House originally built?

  2. How did General Robert E. Lee come to live in the house?

  3. What happened to the house during the Civil War?

  4. Why did the Union Army decide to create a cemetery in the front yard?

• APPLICATION:

  Using what they learned in the video clip, have students select one of the following handouts to complete about the Arlington House.

  HANDOUT: Arlington House Historical Marker (Google Slide)

  HANDOUT: Arlington House Creating an Interview (Google Doc)

• CONCLUSION:

  Ask students to consider their notes from the video as well as class discussion as they complete the following activity.

  Arlington House Travel Brochure (Google Slides)

• ALTERNATIVE/EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

  Virtual Tour of Arlington House - National Parks Service