Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.

• What challenges are you facing?
• What fears or concerns might you have?
• What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?

Observation Questions

• In what ways did George Washington exercise courage to enhance life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for himself and others? What other virtues did Washington demonstrate?
• What is George Washington’s identity during this time?
• What did George Washington understand his purpose to be in the events of late December 1776?

Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.

• What is the historical context of the narrative?
• What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
• How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
• How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
• How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
• What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
• Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
• How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?

• Students will analyze George Washington’s character as a military commander and his courageous actions in leading his troops against overwhelming obstacles to cross the Delaware River in order to attack British troops at Trenton, New Jersey.
• Students will examine Washington’s demonstration of courage.
• Students will understand why courage is an essential virtue in their own lives.
• Students will act courageously in their own lives to protect freedom.