What Washington is and why it exists.
Read the current chapter online: “The National Capital.”
Suggestions
- Learn more about the history of the Smithsonian and its benefactor, James Smithson.
- Learn more about the Marine band.
- If you are keeping a Latin notebook, you can add caput and the definition.
- Graph the ten largest cities in the United States by population.
- Learn more about how the District of Columbia is governed.
- Compare the plan of the city of Washington on pg. 225 with the current plan of the city.
- Visit 8 forgotten capitals of the United States.
- Narrate the reason Washington D.C. has been set aside and belongs to no state as explained on pg. 227.
- Read a biography of Pierre Charles L’Enfant.
- Read Moore’s entire poem (along with helpful footnotes).
- Calculate the percent of change in population from the time the book was written (see pg. 230) to today.
- Mark each of the towns mentioned on pg. 232 on a map of the United States. Draw lines to Washington D.C. and label with the number of miles between the two.
Learn more about the District of Columbia:
[The District of Columbia is] the federal district containing the capital of the United States; area 69 square miles. Authority for establishing it was given in the Constitution and the site was selected by Congress. A tract lying on both banks of the Potomac and containing 100 square miles was ceded by Maryland and Virginia, but in 1846 the Virginia cession was returned.
There is comparatively little manufacturing except for governmental purposes and most of the people depend directly or indirectly upon the government for a livelihood.
Since 1874 the district has been governed by three commissioners appointed by the president. The residents have no vote though they may pay taxes, but Congress pays a part of the expenses.
from The Book of Knowledge
Additional Resources
Our Nation’s Capital
Pictures and facts from National Geographic for Kids.
Mathematician and Astronomer Benjamin Banneker
Information from the Library of Congress for Kids site.
Washington, D.C. History FAQ
Why, how, what, and more!
History of Self-Government in the District of Columbia
Explains the history behind the unusual form of government.
The L’Enfant and McMillan Plans
History from the National Park Service.
The 1901 Plan for Washington D.C.
The reformers and the City Beautiful movement.
Activities
Pierre L’Enfant: Designing Washington D.C.
C-Span video for older students.
Books
Ye Domesday Booke: Commemorating the Sesquicentennial of the Founding of the National Capital at Washington D.C.
Don’t miss this beauiful free eBook!
Washington, the City and the Seat of Government by C. H. Forbes-Lindsay
Some may recognize this author’s name from the frequently recommended John Smith: Gentleman Adventurer.
Rider’s Washington: A Guide Book for Travelers
Public domain work with lots of information and maps.
Units & Lesson Plans
Famous Person: Benjamin Banneker
Lesson plan exploring the man who assisted in the surveying of the Washington D.C. territory.
Notebooking Pages & Printables
L’Enfant Plan
Map for notebook.
Maps
Current map for notebook from the National Park Service.
The Nation’s Capital Notebooking Pages
Our free and simple notebooking pages for copywork, narrations, dictations, or wrapping up.
DIY Homeschooler 
