Crossing America Went to Washington, D.C.!  Learn about the Washington Monument with Ranger Jen and Friends! 🎥✨

Get ready to dive deep into the history of this towering structure. We’ll explore how it was built, the purpose behind its creation, and some fun facts about its journey from the drawing board to the skyline of the National Mall. Together, we’ll take a virtual tour around the monument and learn about the fascinating details of its design and construction.

📚We will  also be checking out a few great children’s books that share the story of the Washington Monument in fun and exciting ways.
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🛠️ Engineering Design Challenge: Can you design a monument that represents your community or a person you admire? Think about the materials, the location, and how tall you want it to be! Get creative, and let’s see what YOU come up with!
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We hope to see YOU there for this amazing virtual adventure! 

Click on the Marvin & Huck Graphic below to learn about the Washington Monument
​through their eyes. 

CLICK BELOW FOR THE ENGINEERING
​DESIGN CHALLENGE!

Monument Math: Scale and Proportion
Objective: Help students understand the concept of scale and proportion through the height of the Washington Monument.
Activity:

• Show students images of the Washington Monument and discuss its height (555 feet).
  
• Challenge students to measure objects around the classroom or their home and calculate how many of those objects would stack up to reach the height of the monument.
  
• Have them create a scaled drawing of the monument on graph paper, paying close attention to proportions.

Discussion: Why do you think the designers wanted the monument to be this tall? How do proportions affect the stability of tall structures?​

The Washington Monument Timeline: A History Lesson
Objective: Familiarize students with the history and significance of the Washington Monument.
Activity:

• Have students create a timeline of important events in the monument’s history, such as the start of construction in 1848, the pause during the Civil War, and its completion in 1884.
  
• Assign each student (or small groups) one key event to research and present to the class.
  
• Include an interactive map to show where Washington, D.C. and the National Mall are located and their significance in U.S. history.
  

​​​Discussion: How did historical events like the Civil War impact the monument’s construction? Why was it important to complete the monument?

Symbolism in Monuments: Why George Washington?
Objective: Help students understand the significance of symbols in monuments and why George Washington was chosen to be honored.
Activity:

• Lead a discussion on what George Washington symbolizes to the United States (leadership, independence, democracy).
  
• Ask students to brainstorm what symbols (objects, colors, shapes) could be used in a monument to represent their own lives, community, or another historical figure.
  
• Have them draw their own “monument” design that symbolizes someone important in their life or in history. Ask them to present their designs to the class.

Extension: Research other monuments dedicated to George Washington, comparing their design elements and purpose.

Shape of Strength: Exploring the Obelisk
Objective: Teach students about the obelisk shape and why it was chosen for the Washington Monument.
Activity:

• Show images of obelisks from different cultures (such as ancient Egypt) and discuss their purpose.
• Have students create their own mini-obelisk out of clay, paper, or other materials, and discuss what message they would want their obelisk to convey.
• As a class, compare the Washington Monument to other famous obelisks in terms of size, design, and purpose.

Discussion: Why might the designers have chosen the obelisk shape for this monument? What does it represent, and how does it stand out from other monument designs?