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Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' Meeting
Students research the roles of the Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County, Virginia. In a role-play activity, they practice making decisions for the county as if they were members of the Board. To end the instructional activity, they...
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Analyzing Public Policy Options
Students discuss what is meant by the term "public policy". In groups, they use the internet to research a specific public policy issue affecting Fairfax County, Virginia. They analyze and report their findings of the effectiveness of...
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Issues Close to Home
Students discuss their role in their local government. Individually, they use various types of media to examine and take a position on a topic important to them. To introduce their position, they write a letter to the Board of...
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The Structure of Virginia Local Government
Students are introduced to the structure of the government in Virginia. Using the internet, they research the government's origin and how it is different from other states. They also practice using new vocabulary and take a quiz to...
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Understanding Dillon's Rule
Students review the establishment of the local government in Virginia. Using a reading assignment, they gather information on Dillon's rule and how it changed the government in the state. To end the instructional activity, they share...
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A Place Called Fairfax
Middle schoolers use maps to locate Virginia, its surrounding states and Fairfax County. Individually, they describe the absolute and relative location of the county and why it is important to know both. As a class, they brainstorm the...
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The Meaning of Community
Students describe the word community as it applies to Fairfax County, Virginia. In groups, they brainstorm a list of words that are needed to have a strong community. They use the internet to assess the quality of life in the county...
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Mapping Fairfax County Service Providers
Learners brainstorm a list of services governments should have available to its citizens. Using the internet, they locate as many of these services as possible and compile a class list. They also analyze specific programs to consider...
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Issues Close to Home
Students brainstorm as a class about their role in the local government. In groups, they use various types of media to discover how it is affecting their lives. They choose one issue and state their position to share with the class. To...
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Students Involved In Volunteering
Eighth graders discuss the needs of their local community and how they are being met by the government. Individually, they participate as a volunteer at a local organization of their choice. They reflect on their experience and...
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Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' Meeting
Students examine the role of the Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County, Virginia. In groups, they research their responsibilities to the community and role play in their own Board meeting. To end the lesson plan, they discuss how it...
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The Fairfax County Budget -- A Look At Spending
Students brainstorm a list of items that should be a priority for the government to help its citizens. Using an out of date budget, they identify individual line items and the conflicts involved in making a budget work. They discuss...
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Exploring County Ordinances
Students discuss the purpose of county ordinances and view actual examples. In groups, they take the ordinances and describe how they are to protect the citizens of the county. They also discuss how interest groups affect policy making.
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Famous Virginians
Fourth graders research the lives of famous people from Virginia. Using the internet, they take notes in a blank flipbook given to them by their teacher. They write a speech in first person of the famous Virginian they researched and...
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Identify Virginia Native Animals
Students practice using an online encyclopedia to research native animals to Virginia. Using the information from the encyclopedia, they identify the main and supporting ideas. They share their information with the class using the...
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Lesson 3
Students demonstrate knowledge of geography and early inhabitants of Virginia by locating and identifying water features important to early history. They also locate three American Indian language groups. Both of these activities require...
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Remarkable Trees of Virginia
Students draw a picture of their favorite tree from memory, and then add detail as they learn more about leaf characteristics of Virginia trees. They will use their writing skills to nominate one or more of their favorite trees to the...
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Virginia In the World: The Geography of Commerce
Students examine how Virginia connects with the world through export trade. Using a map, they use symbols to depict the value of trade and the direction of the flow of goods. They complete a scavenger hunt using electronic almanacs and...
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Revolutionary War
Middle schoolers examine the role of Virginia during the Revolutionary War. Using an inflatable ball, they toss the ball around the room and answer questions related to sayings on the ball. In groups, they play a game to reinforce...
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The Virginia Assembly
Middle schoolers examine the first permanent English settlement in America. Using the Internet, they identify the importance of the Virginia assembly. They answer questions based on different scenarios given to them by their teacher and...
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Virginia Studies
Students describe life in the Virginia colony. They explain how geography influenced the relocation of Virginia's capital from Jamestown to Williamsburg, to Richmond. Students compare/contrast life in Jamestown and Williamsburg.
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Virginia Studies
Students describe life in the Virginia colony. They explain how geography influenced the relocation of Virginia's capital from Jamestown to Williamsburg, to Richmond. Students compare/contrast life in Jamestown and Williamsburg.
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George Washington's Birthday
Students recognize George Washington and why his birthday is celebrated as a national holiday through pictures, a story, crossword puzzles, and other activities involving other presidents.
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Historical Figures that Impacted the State of Virginia from 1607-Present
Fourth graders are introduced to the important figures in Virginia's history. In groups, they research the figure more throughly using the internet and write a one-page summary. They present their figure to the class and their impact on...