George Washington's Farewell Address

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Your Farewell Address”

In this activity, students will create their own farewell address for when they graduate from their current grade level or complete the current course.

After reading “George Washington’s Farewell Address,” imagine you are graduating from your current grade level or completing this course. Reflect on your experience and provide advice and/or warnings to future students in the style of Washington’s address. With each “warning,” include evidence and explanation to develop a strong, persuasive speech. Be sure to explain how heeding this advice will lead to success and tranquility for your audience.

• First, decide on your 3 pieces of advice.
• Then, create a 2-minute speech that explains each. Remember to consider your audience and use language appropriate for your listeners. Consider the following links to Washington’s themes:
• How can students utilize their personal values to maintain a positive experience (Virtue as a Safeguard Against Social Decay)?
• How would banding together as a community with student peers help to maintain peace and achieve mutual success (The Importance of National Unity)?
• How might ignoring your advice negatively impact your listeners’ learning experience (The Preservation of Liberty)?

When finished, present your speech in small groups. Consider the persuasive elements and reasoning in your peers’ addresses.

Teaching Suggestion: Rather than present in small or large groups, you might allow students to film themselves using their phones or an app like Flipgrid. Then, allow students to view each other’s speeches and provide positive feedback.

Differentiation Suggestion: For those struggling to organize their thoughts, you could provide a graphic organizer to help them outline their speech. There are many examples available online.

Paired Text Extension:

“Of History and Hope” by Miller Williams

Read the poem as a class, in pairs, or individually. Ask students to write their own poems about the future of the United States if the country does (or does not) follow the advice of George Washington. Be sure students are specific to the advice Washington delivers in his farewell address.

Teaching Suggestion: If students are struggling with writing poetry, you might allow for paragraphed responses instead.