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Our homeschool group is getting ready for an exciting field trip to Washington, D.C., where we’ll visit the Washington Monument! Before we go, we want to learn all about this famous landmark—why it was built, how it was made, and what makes it so special. This lesson will help us prepare so that when we see it in person, we’ll know exactly what we’re looking at! We also want to share this lesson plan with you so you can explore the Washington Monument with your own learners and make history come alive. We’ve included free printables: a coloring page, a fact sheet with a crossword puzzle and fill-in-the-blank activity, and a template to build your own paper Washington Monument.
What Is the Washington Monument?
- It is a giant stone obelisk standing 555 feet tall in Washington, D.C.
- It was built to honor George Washington’s leadership and contributions.
- From the top, you can see important places like the White House, the Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial.
What Is an Obelisk?
- The Washington Monument is the tallest obelisk in the world!
- An obelisk is a tall, four-sided stone pillar that tapers to a point at the top.
- This design comes from ancient Egypt, where obelisks were built to honor important people and events.
How Was The Washington Monument Built?
- The monument’s foundation was laid in 1848, but construction stopped due to money problems and the Civil War.
- It was finally completed in 1884.
- The stone color changes partway up because different materials were used when construction resumed.
- The monument was designed by an architect named Robert Mills, who wanted it to be the tallest structure in the world at the time.
Fun Facts About the Washington Monument
- It has 897 steps inside, but today visitors use an elevator.
- It is surrounded by 50 flags, one for each U.S. state.
- The tip is made of aluminum, which was rare and valuable in 1884!
- The monument’s foundation had to be reinforced in the 1990s to keep it strong and stable.
Why Is It Important?
The Washington Monument is a symbol of respect and gratitude for George Washington, who led the country during the American Revolution and became its first president. It reminds us of the leadership and courage that helped shape the United States.
Vocabulary Words
- Monument – A structure built to honor a person or event.
- Obelisk – A tall, four-sided stone pillar that tapers to a point at the top.
- Memorial – Something created to help people remember an important person or event.
- Architect – A person who designs buildings and structures.
- Foundation – The base or groundwork of a building that supports its weight.
Download Free Printables!
To help you learn even more about the Washington Monument, we have some fun printables for you:
- Coloring Page: A detailed picture of the Washington Monument for you to color.
- Fact Sheet: A simple worksheet with a crossword puzzle and fill-in-the-blanks activity.
- Cut-and-Build Model: Create your own paper Washington Monument!
The next time you see a picture of the Washington Monument, you’ll know all about why it’s so special. Maybe one day, you’ll even visit it in person!
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