Kindergarden Read - Aloud

Presidents and American Symbols: Supplemental Guide 3A | A Clever General 53

Presenting the Read-Aloud 10 minutes

A Clever General

 Show image 3A-1: Knox and Washington

This story takes place a long time ago, before the United States

became a nation and before George Washington became the first

president of the United States. At that time there was a war between

England and the American colonies.

[Point to England and where the American colonies were located on a world

map. Ask: “Who ruled these places at that time?” (a king, King George III)]

This war was called the American Revolution. The American army

fought against the British army. At that time George Washington

was called General George Washington. He was the leader of the

American army. With the help of Colonel Henry Knox, the two men

came up with a clever—or smart—plan to trick the British army.

 Show image 3A-2: Strategizing

General George Washington had to think fast. He knew the British

soldiers were going to attack soon. He knew that there were many

more British soldiers than there were American soldiers. He also knew

that the British army had more supplies compared to the American

army.

[Explain that these supplies might have included food, water, muskets,

gunpowder, cannons, etc.]

Colonel Henry Knox asked Washington, “Sir, how can we keep the

British army, which is larger than us, from destroying our soldiers

here? We don’t even have enough soldiers or supplies. If the British

only knew... ”

George Washington answered him. “Yes, Colonel, if they only knew.

But they do not know. And we must make sure that the British army

does not find out that we have fewer soldiers than they think. We

must make them think we are bigger and stronger than we really are.”

George Washington continued, “What we really need are more

supplies to prepare us for battle.”