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Lesson Plan Image

Washington Crosses the Delaware

In 1776 General George Washington led his troops across the Delaware River. Students will learn about this event, view the painting by Emanuel Leutze, and create a replica of the event.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Craft Materials
  • Craft Sticks
  • Paper
  • Recycled Cardboard Box

Steps

  • Step 1

    In 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey in an attempt to surprise the Hessian force quartered there. Have students research this event. Ask them to learn about the Hessians, who were German soldiers allied with the British Army. Have them also learn about crossing, which involved 5,400 troops and crucial artillery. The waters were choppy and icy cold, but eventually they reached Trenton and the unsuspecting Hessians.

  • Step 2

    Show students images the oil painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware" created by German American artist Emanuel Leutze in 1851. It is among the best known paintings of an American historical event and is on display at The Met Fifth Avenue. You might mention some of the inaccuracies. For example, the flag design displayed did not exist until at the time of the crossing; it was first flown in 1777. Also, the vessels used were Durham boats. They would have been much bigger and the sides would have been higher.

  • Step 3

    Have a small group of students work together create a replica of the Durham boat using a recycled box. They can use markers to color the interior and exterior, draw the characters, and if they choose to replicate the painting, add a flag (but this time make one that is historically accurate). Each team could construct a character to represent Washington and members of his troops using craft sticks, paper, and other craft items. They might look at images of the uniforms worn by Washington's soldiers to inspire them. One student could assemble the pieces as they are completed by teammates. They can cut a small slit in the bottom of the "boat" and then place each character's craft stick through the hole, adding a small amount of glue on the craft stick base.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their replicas and discuss some of the facts they learned about this historic event of the American Revolution.

Standards

ARTS: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Analyze the causes and consequences of past events and developments, and place these in the context of the institutions, values and beliefs of the period in which they took place.

Adaptations

A "tableau vivant" (French for "living picture") is an artform that dates back to the late 18th century. Actors would depict scenes from art, history, literature, or everyday life on a stage. They would remain silent and hold the pose for around 30 seconds. Have students create a tableau vivant of Leutze's painting. Then encourage them to try to imagine what the soldiers might have been feeling and thinking about at that moment and discuss it in the class.

Have students explore everyday life in the New England colonies in the time before America's independence. Where did most New Englanders come from? What was the typical civilian dress at this time?