George Washington - I Cannot Tell a Lie

In this Remarkable Idea, students learn about George Washington and that he always tried to tell the truth. Learn about the difference between a truth and a lie.

This activity addresses:

  • Language arts
  • Famous Americans
  • Social Studies
  • Choice making
  • Alternative methods of access

What you need:

  • iTalk2
  • Step-by-Step
  • Sentence strips
  • Black marker
  • Picture of, and/or book about, George Washington

Preparation:

  1. On a Step-by-Step record the list of “Statements - True or False"?
  2. Using the AbleNet Symbol Overlay Maker app create a picture symbol for the words - sentence, yes, and no.
  3. Write each statement on a sentence strip.
    NOTE: These are examples of statements you can use. Add your own statements that relate more closely to your classroom and students.
  4. On the iTalk2, place “yes” and “no” picture symbols, one on each side. On the “yes” message location, record the sentence, “Yes, that is true” and on the “no” message location record the sentence, “No, that is not true. It is is a lie.”

What to do:

  1. Show students the pictures, and/or book, about George Washington.
  2. Explain that George Washington believed in always telling the truth and that he was very careful to not tell lies.
  3. Discuss with students the difference between a truth and a lie.
  4. Show students the iTalk2 and how to activate the “yes” picture/symbol to say “Yes, that is true” and the “no” picture/symbol to say, “No, that is not true. It is a lie.”
  5. Read several statements to students, one at a time.
  6. Students take turns reading a statement on a sentence strip, or using the Step-by-Step to read a statement.
  7. The student who read the statement uses the iTalk2 to say either “yes, that is true” or “no, that is not true.”
  8. The teacher confirms or redirects the student’s choice, and explains why the statement is either the truth or a lie.

True or False Statements:

  1. We have a pet kangaroo in our classroom.
  2. The lunchroom will be serving alligator soup for lunch.
  3. We use scissors to cut paper.
  4. Books are things that we read.
  5. Our teacher’s name is (Mrs. Henrietta Hummingsworth).
  6. All the students in our class are wearing blue jeans today.
  7. We are at school today.
  8. We will leave school at 8:00 tonight.
  9. Today is (Tuesday).
  10. It snows in the summer.

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