Washington, DC history for kids The making of a capital city : with 21 activities

This For Kids series entry discusses Washington, D.C.'s unique history and the wide-ranging geographical, political, and cultural issues and events, as well as significant people, that impacted its development. Following a time line and brief intro, the seven sections chronologically survey specific time periods and are divided into subtopics for example, the opening, A Capital Is Born (1600-1792), begins with early Native American residents and European settlers. Other sections highlight landmarks, like the Smithsonian and the Capitol Building; Civil War times; progressing to Modern Washington, including the 1963 March on Washington and civil rights; transportation systems; and the 9/11 Pentagon attack. Interspersed black-and-white visuals feature photos, ephemera, artwork, and maps, both historical and recent, with sidebar factoids sprinkled throughout. The text is often dense, and the mostly classroom-based activities range from doable, such as creating a time capsule, to potentially less manageable, such as planting a cherry tree, which depends largely on climate and requires years for a noticeable payoff. Those seeking to discover more about the US capital, however, will find plenty here. Further resources and websites appended.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2016 Booklist

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. VERDICT An informational and activity-filled book that will be very useful for late-elementary and middle school history projects.-Jeffrey Meyer, Mt. Pleasant Public Library, IA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.