Washington, DC, History for Kids: The Making of a Capital City, with 21 Activities

Gr 5–8—Panchyk has produced a multifaceted history of Washington, DC. The book is a chronological account of the capital's history, beginning with the first European settlements in the 17th century and ending with the August 2011 earthquake felt within the city. Chapters are broken into small sections of text, which range in length from a few to several paragraphs. The narrative discusses important events, such as the British attack on the city in 1814 and the Lincoln assassination. It also includes lesser-known events, such as the attempt to free slaves on the ship Pearl and Japan's gift of cherry trees to the city. Students will become acquainted with famous landmarks: the Smithsonian, the Capital, the United States Botanic Garden, and many other prominent sites. Primary documentation consists of drawings, photographs, and scans of letters and newspapers, including a letter by George Washington, an engraving of the city plan by Andrew Ellicott, and a photograph of Union Station in 1907. Some images, like a photograph of the Lincoln Memorial, occupy the whole page, while other images are half a page or smaller. This book is loaded with activities, some of which require adult supervision. These activities include taking part in backyard archaeology, and photographing current landmarks and comparing those images to older pictures. Some activities can be done in the home, such as drawing political cartoons or designing a city flag. These projects may be adapted for classroom use. A handy time line of the city can be found before the introduction.