George Washington Carver “All of my work was to help the farmer.”

1. George Washington Carver “All of my work was to help the farmer.” SS1H1: The student will read about and describe the life of historical figures in American history. a. Identify the contributions made by this figure: George Washington Carver (science) b. Describe how everyday life of these historical figures is similar to and different from everyday life in the present (food, clothing, homes, transportation, communication, recreation).

2. Essential Questions: What did George Washington Carver do that he is remembered for? What plant did he discover could help farmers in additional growth to their crops? What made GWC such an influence during the time in which he lived?

3. George Washington Carver was know as the Plant Doctor Why do you think he was known as the Plant Doctor? Let’s see how you did…

4. When George Washington Carver was a child he spent his days outside. He looked carefully at plants. He learned what helped plants grow. As an adult, GWC, used what he had learned as a child and helped change the way farmers in the US grew food.

5. Important Facts about GWC No one knows the exact date GWC was born. They believe he was born in January of 1864. It is believed that his parents were slaves in Missouri. Because of unfair laws, he could not go to the same schools as other children so he taught himself how to read and write. But at age 12, left home to go to an African American school called the Lincoln School.

6. He washed dishes and clothes to pay for a room and food while at the Lincoln School. He was known as a good student and soon knew everything that the teacher could teach him. It was time for him to move on. He went to schools in three different states…Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa… to learn as much as he could. In Iowa, he went to college, studied hard and did very well. This is a picture of GWC just before he finished college.

7. GWC was great at many things. He was a great painter and piano player. He even studied art in college. But because he loved plants so much (he even talked to them!), he decided to study science. Carver believed he could use his skills to make life better for people in need. This is a picture painted by GWC. He made paints from flowers and berries.

8. GWC becomes a teacher… Carver taught science classes at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. It was built for African American students who were not allowed to go to other schools. Carver taught students about soil and plants. Students enjoyed learning from Carver because his classes were fun and exciting.

9. Tuskegee University The Tuskegee Institute was renamed Tuskegee University and is still teaching students today. While it is primarily focused on developing human resources within the African-American community, all are welcome! The following link will take you to GWC’s page on Tuskegee University’s website: http://www.tuskegee.edu/about_us/legacy_of_fame/george_w_carver.aspx

10. GWC’s amazing discoveries As a scientist, Carver tested different plants and soils. He learned that different crops use different nutrients in the soil. Crops such as peanuts, pecans, and sweet potatoes put nutrients back into the soil. What are crops? What are nutrients? A nutrient is something needed by people, plants, and animals to stay healthy. Plants that farmers grow are called crops.

11. GWC’s amazing discoveries Carver used science to help people, just as he had wanted. Farmers told him their cotton was not growing well. He told them to grow cotton one year and peanuts the next year. Planting different crops would be good for the soil and their crops would grow better. Later this became know as crop rotation. GWC wrote books like this one for farmers on how to keep their soil healthy.

12. Plant Peanuts??? People thought GWC was crazy to suggest planting peanuts and rotating crops. They thought no one would buy peanuts. Carver showed perseverance. He kept trying to change their minds and listened to what the farmers said. What is perseverance? Someone who doesn’t give up has perseverance

13. Plant Peanuts??? Carver looked for ways to show that farmers could make money growing peanuts. So, being a scientist, he began to invent ways to use peanuts. He came up with over 300 ways to use peanuts, including peanut ink, peanut soap, peanut milk, and hand lotion.

14. Peanuts http://www.peanut-institute.org/peanut-facts/ Farmers would stack the peanut plants and then pick them by hand.

15. A Great Man Carver and his work were well know. He won many awards and people offered him jobs that paid more than he earned at Tuskegee. Carver did not take these jobs because he wanted to work with African American students at Tuskegee. President Roosevelt thanked Carver for helping farmers.

16. Today, we remember George Washington Carver for his perseverance and the many ways he made people’s lives better. As a scientist, he changed the way farmers grow crops. Carver taught at Tuskegee because he wanted African Americans to have equality with other Americans. Positive Character Traits

17. This portrait of George Washington Carver hangs in the Portrait Gallery in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. It was painted by Betsy Reyneau in 1942.

18. The life of George Washington Carver http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=4AE5B8D7-FB1D-4044-A835-5AD30B887AD8&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US