Compare and Contrast

Grade 5

Click here to learn some basic facts about George Washington written by a fifth grade student.
Click here to learn some basic facts about Abraham Lincoln.

Write a paragraph that shows how these two men were not alike.
Start with the topic sentence below.

Although George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were both presidents of the United States, their lives were very different.

Copy and print the activity below to complete in your classroom.

George Washington
Presidential Number: 1st
Years he was President: 1789-1797
State Represented: Virginia
Party Affiliation: Federalist
Fact(s): In May 1775, Washington, one of Virginia's delegates, was elected commander in chief of the Continental Army.

Personal
Birthday: February 22, 1732
How old would he be this year? 271
School(s) attended: Did not attend college, but studied at home
Wife: Martha Washington
Occupation(s) before he was President: Planter, farmer, soldier
Other way(s) he served: Represented Virginia in the Continental Congress
Height: 6 feet, 2 inches
Favorite Foods: Ice cream, fish
Hobbies or Sports: Fishing, riding
Pets: Horse named Nelson

Life in America
How would he have traveled? Horse and carriage
How would he have communicated with his friends? Letter
U.S. Population when term began: 3,929,214
Number of stars on flag when he left office: 16

Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Number: 16th
Years he was President: 1861-65
State Represented: Illinois
Party Affiliation: Republican
Fact(s): He had to struggle for a living. Lincoln's mom died when he was 9. He loved to read.

Personal
Birthday: February 12, 1809
How old would he be this year? 194
School(s) attended: Did not attend college, but read at home
Wife: Mary Lincoln
Occupation(s) before he was President: Store clerk, rail-splitter, lawyer
Other way(s) he served: Congressman
Height: 6 feet, 4 inches, tallest president
Favorite Foods: Fruit salad, cheese, crackers
Hobbies or Sports: Walking, wrestling
Pets: Horse
Life in America
How would he have traveled? Horse and carriage, train
How would he have communicated with his friends? Letter, telegram
U.S. Population when term began: 31,443,321
Number of stars on flag when he left office: 36