Book Activities

Read the current chapter online: “America’s Marvels and America’s Station” Suggestions Learn more about the Statue of Liberty. Copy “The New Colossus,” the poem written by Emma Lazarus that adorns the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. View New York Harbor. Sing the patriotic songs mentioned: “Star-Spangled Banner“ “Yankee Doodle“ “Battle Hymn of the Republic“ […]

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 […]

Read the current chapter online: “The Citizen” Suggestions Narration: Explain the meaning of “the well-balanced law-maker becomes so only through experience and growth.” At the time the book was written, women did not have the right to vote. This was changed with the passing of the 19th amendment to the Constitution. View a timeline of […]

Read the current chapter online: “The State, the City, and the Town” Suggestions Learn more about the Washington Monument. Take in the view from one of those “slits” in the Washington Monument. Learn more about the Eiffel Tower. When it was completed, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world. Of course, that […]

Read the current chapter online: “The Flag of the Union” Suggestions Learn more about the flag flying over the Capitol Building. Make a flip book explaining the four things the author says the flag means: possession, protection, pride, and patriotism. Use alliteration to create a one-stanza poem about the flag similar to the one on […]

Read the current chapter online: “The Office-Holder” Suggestions Compare the number of government workers mentioned in the book with the number in recent years. Calculate the percent increase in the number of government workers since 1900. What percent increase is that on average per year? Make a list of the number of employees per department […]

Read the current chapter online: “The Departments of Justice, Interior, & Agriculture” Suggestions Rock Creek Park was the third park established by the government and was authorized in 1890. View the final outcome. View a photo of the Department of Justice Building. Compare and contrast the roles and duties of the Supreme Court with those […]

Read the current chapter online: “The Treasury and the Post-Office” Suggestions Learn more about “The Soldiers Home.” View the Winfield Scott statue mentioned in the book. Learn more about “the hero of Lundy’s Lane.” View “The Old Soldiers’ Home.” Compare and contrast the Hôtel des Invalides with the Old Soldiers’ Home. View a photo of […]

Read the current chapter online: “The State, War, and Navy Departments” Suggestions Mark the following on a map of Maryland (see resources below): Mount Vernon. The Potomac. The Chesapeake. View a photo of The Old Tomb where Washington was first laid to rest. Also view a photo of The New Tomb built in 1831. Does […]

Read the current chapter online: “The Supreme Court” Suggestions View the different Smithsonian museums, galleries, and zoo. Learn more about the “crypt.” “Just like the deepest dungeon ‘neath the castle moat in Scott’s novels.” Who do you think Scott is? You can see first-hand how the “whispering gallery” at the Capitol works in the video […]

Read the current chapter online: “The House of Representatives” Suggestions Learn more about Statuary Hall. Learn more about the Old Hall of the House (now Statuary Hall). View Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way, the mural by Leutze that can be seen in the House Wing stairway. Learn more about the House Chamber. […]

Read the current chapter online: “The Senate” Suggestions In 1894, when the book was published, streetcars were used to transport tourists. Read more about A Streetcar City at the Smithsonian. View the green trolley cars that were used. Learn more about the locations “the tourists” saw: The Peace Monument. United States Botanic Garden. The Garfield […]