The Walking Classroom

Walk, Listen, and Learn

George Washington Carver

This Walking Classroom lesson discusses the famous educator and scientist, George Washington Carver. Carver was a former slave with a passion for learning. He became a professor at the Tuskegee Institute and helped educate poor farmers about how to care for their soil so it would produce healthy crops year after year. Carver took an undesirable crop, peanuts, and through experimentation developed meaningful and desirable ways that it could be used. This discovery changed the lives of poor cotton farmers.

Health Message: Sleep and how to get enough
Character Value: Passion

Click for Standards Alignment

Common Core

L–Language | SL–Speaking and Listening | RI–Reading: Informational | RL–Reading: Literature | W–Writing | RH–6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies | RST–6-8 Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects Elementary School:
RI.3.1, RI.3.2, SL.3.1, SL.3.4
RI.4.1, RI.4.2, SL.4.1, SL.4.4
RI.5.1, RI.5.2, SL.5.1, SL.5.4
Middle School:
RI.6.1, RI.6.2, SL.6.1, SL.6.4
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.3, SL.7.1, SL.7.4
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, SL.8.1, SL.8.4
RST.6-8.4

Next Generation Science Standards

PS–Physical Science | LS–Life Science | ESS–Earth and Space Science | ETS–Engineering, Technology and the Application of Science Elementary School: 4-LS1-1, 5-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1
Middle School: MS-LS1-4, MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-7

Supplemental Resource Links and Downloads

Quiz: (Make sure you're already logged into your Gmail account, then click to copy this Google form to your Google Drive. Quiz keys are here.)
George Washington Carver Google Quiz https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1g4hDAsAR7yT_uTRBpDA-LeK88Rtt4aU9I7qA3gV7BK8/copy

Slide Deck:
George Washington Carver Slide Deck https://thewalkingclassroom.box.com/s/54dmnj35n1ijog0jeuizb1ntgbk2ogru

Related Videos:

Swaziland Teens Engineer Hydroponic Solutions for Farmers
2:54

Details projects by Swazi teens from farming families that improve the productivity and sustainability of farming practices.

Additional Resources:

George Washington Carver National Monument
Virtual Field Trip

Learn more about George Washington Carver’s life and work with a virtual visit to this site. View a video introduction and explore other resources.

George Washington Carver Quiz
Online Activity

Test knowledge of George Washington Carver with this online quiz from Ducksters Education Site.

Classroom Hydroponics
Hands-on Activity

Explore hydroponics and discover how plants can grow without soil in this kidsgardening.org activity.

George Washington Carver Matching Activity
Printable or Worksheet

Test knowledge of George Washington Carver by completing this activity.