Oklahoma Social Studies 5.C.7.1.B

Social Studies5th GradeContent Standards

The Standard

5.C.7: Summarize the growth of a new nation under the leadership of Presidents Washington, Adams, and Jefferson.
5.C.7.1: Describe the presidential leadership of George Washington, including the

precedent of not seeking a third term

Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · 5.C.7.1

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain why George Washington left the presidency after two terms. They tell how his choice became an example later presidents followed, even though it was not a law at the time.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can say that Washington chose to leave office rather than seek another term. They can tell the difference between that early custom and the later legal limit on presidential elections.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a two-term limit was already law when Washington left office. They may also think every president followed his example, though Franklin Roosevelt was elected more than twice.
How to Assess It: Ask: “When Washington left office after two terms, was he following a law or making a choice? How did that choice affect later presidents?”

Lesson moves

Give pairs cards dated 1797, 1940, and 1951; have them place Washington’s retirement, Roosevelt’s third election, and the new term-limit law in order.
Ask students to write two sentences on why people might have welcomed Washington’s decision to leave office.
Post 1820 and 1960 president cards; teams label the two-term limit a custom or a law for each year.
Hand out a mock presidential ballot; students cross out a candidate already elected twice and explain their choice.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.C.7.1.B, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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