Ten sentences about George Washington sit on page 1 of this 4-page 2nd grade social studies sheet. Students write Fact or Myth beside each one, from he was born in Virginia to he chopped down his father's cherry tree. Page 2 has two writing questions on why people told stories about him and how we can find out if a story is true. Pages 3 and 4 hold the answer key.
“Tell facts from made-up stories about a historical figure.”
Page 1 has ten sentences, six facts and four myths.
“Explain how people can check whether a story about the past is true.”
Question 2 on page 2 asks how we can find out if a story is true.
Ten numbered sentences in two columns, each with a line to write Fact or Myth. The myths are the cherry tree, wooden teeth, living in the White House and throwing a silver dollar across the Potomac River.
Two questions with five lines each. One asks why people told stories about Washington, and the other asks how we can find out if a story is true.
Every answer comes with a one-line reason, such as the cherry tree story being made up by a writer after Washington died. Page 4 gives sample answers for the two writing questions.
After marking
Go through the four myths together. The reasons in the key give you a quick correction for each one, and most students have heard the cherry tree story already.
Talking about sources
Use question 2 on page 2 to start a talk about where a trustworthy answer could come from. List the ideas on the board.
Partner writing
Have pairs write one more fact and one more myth about a person the class is studying, then swap with another pair to sort.
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