Fourth Grade

Virginia Scrapbook Project

Introduction

Did you know that there is a lot of history right here in our home state of Virginia?  Have you ever traveled outside of Ashburn and Loudoun County to see what else is out there?  This project gives students and their families the opportunity to experience history first hand.  The fourth grade Social Science curriculum focuses on Virginia Studies.  As the students learn about Virginia history throughout the year, they will be able to apply their knowledge by visiting historical sites.  In addition, it gets them away from the TV, computer, and game box.  We’re talking real family bonding time!  It does take a bit of commitment on the part of the entire family, but most agree it’s a wonderful family project that teaches local history.  Thank you for your support and have fun!

Time Frame

September - May

Directions

You will put together a scrapbook (digital or hard copy) showing where you have traveled in Virginia during the year.  Share your experiences and what you have learned about our home state.  Take lots of pictures and please follow the guidelines.

Your scrapbook should include the following:

• At least 5 historical places of interest in Virginia
• Pictures of you at each place
• A narrative describing the importance of each destination you visited
• A reflection from each trip.  What did you learn?  Did the place meet your expectations?  What were your first feelings when you got there?  Would you recommend others to visit each place?

Places to Visit

Here are some suggestions.  There are a lot more sites to visit.  Be creative and have fun!

Great Falls Park-  http://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm - see an example of the Fall Line between VA and MD.

Historic Leesburg - http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/journey/lee.htm - See piedmont and Civil War history in your own back yard.

Balls Bluff  - http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/ballsbluff/index.php - The largest civil war engagement in Loudoun county.

Braddock Road –http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=6 a series of markers several in VA that mark the Generals march during the French and Indian War.

Luray Caverns http://luraycaverns.com/index.html Document the geography of one of the five regions of Virginia.

Shenandoah – Skyline Drive http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm - Discover the beautiful natural resources of our state.

Washington Monument  http://www.nps.gov/wamo - the monument for one of the greatest Virginian’s ever.

Jefferson Monument  http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc73.htm - The monument to our 3^rd President

National Archives  http://www.archives.gov/ see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Supreme Court http://www.supremecourtus.gov/ - See where Brown v.  Board of Education was decided in 1954.

Lincoln Memorial – Civil Rights http://www.supremecourtus.gov/ Visit the site of the famous “I Have a Dream Speech”

Arlington Cemetery – General Robert E. Lee http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/historical_information/arlington_house.html  See Arlington House – Onetime home of General Robert E. Lee.

Lee’s boyhood home  http://www.alexandriacitywebsite.com/phototour/103.html Now a Private residence but you can still take your picture there and imagine what it was like when Lee was young.

Christ Church Alexandria VA -  http://www.historicchristchurch.org/ Both George Washington and Robert E Lee went to church here.

Mount Vernon - http://www.mountvernon.org/ See what life was like in colonial times.

Gunston Hall http://www.gunstonhall.org/- George Mason was George Washington’s neighbor and his beautiful plantation is just around the corner from Mount Vernon.

Potomac  River  - Virginia’s rivers were and are very important to the state’s development and economy.

Manassas - http://www.nps.gov/mana/ The first major battle of the Civil War – is just 45 minutes away.

Richmond http://www.visitrichmondva.com/?src=ppc_google_RichLocation&gclid=CIT2ksHxm5wCFdZM5QodTgpYeg – Capitol of the state and Capitol of the Confederacy Richmond is full of historic sites and museums.

Monticello  http://www.monticello.org/ - Jefferson’s Masterpiece is just a couple of hours away.