I don’t know about you, but, I’m always weirded out by any book about teeth or talking about them because I’m totally paranoid that my teeth are going to fall out someday. It makes no sense because I go to the dentist, and I brush my teeth, but I can just imagine how horrid it would be to have no teeth.
I tell you this so you know how big a deal it was that I read George Washington’s Teeth to the kids for our homeschool history lesson lesson. I totally adulted when I did this (and yes spellcheck I’m going to say adulted is a word even if you don’t agree).
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George Washington’s Teeth synopsis
George Washington’s Teeth goes through in pain-staking detail, and in a very entertaining fashion all about how George Washington’s slowly lost ALL OF HIS TEETH. Then talks about what he did to try and solve the problem.
And contrary to the legend, he did not have wooden teeth. He had teeth made of several other materials, but they were not wood. Can you imagine the splinters? Ouch!
George Washington’s Teeth activity
At the end of the book George Washington makes an impression of all of his teeth using plaster of paris and a small mold. Using plaster of paris (future Ticia here, and yes as a parent with middle schoolers I order the 8-pound tub so I’m not always getting more) with my preschoolers seemed like a great way to have tears and a big mess, so we made molds with play-dough (and I still buy play dough in bulk because it still has tons of uses).
And just as obviously it wasn’t our teeth, it was random small toys, but it did get the lesson across because they spent days talking about his teeth. Much to my chagrin. Future Ticia here again, now that I have children who have lost lots of teeth, we could use teeth to complete the activity. Why do moms save the teeth of their kids? I don’t save other weird objects that come out of their bodies, but I know for a fact my Mom has a small jewelry box filled with my teeth and my brother’s teeth.
And yes, that is another head wound on Batman’s head. In the same spot……… Each of those are links to a different incident…….. Sigh, how do they always fall there?
More fun history lessons
Let’s see, I’m gonna pick a few more history lessons from elementary school to share with you today.
Eli always had an ongoing bruised lump in the same spot on his forehead. It would be purple, then start to fade, and then right when it started to turn green … WHAM!!! He'd hit it again. I swear it was that way for at least a year.
I never would have thought of this activity. Very cool.
Eeewww! I am not so sure I would have enjoyed this book, but the activity looks like fun!
Cute idea.
Very cool!
Ouch! Maybe a helmet for that kid.
I understand what you mean about fear of losing your teeth. I don't think I could have done this activity.
I love the activity. You could get fake teeth they sell at this time of year- although maybe not if you are squeamish about the topic. 😉 Bringing the book together with that activity was a great way to make an impression on the kids! (really, no pun intended!)
I'd forgotten you reviewed this book (looks like I was distracted by the head wound :). The perfect follow-up of course, would have been to make molds of teeth the children have lost – but that seems on the gross side of things.