Center for History and New Media
Founding of the Laurel Grove School and Other "Colored" Schools in Fairfax County, 1860–1890
The right to public education was not always so clear in American history. Readers study several primary and secondary source documents, including property deeds, maps, and photographs, about the founding of local schools during the...
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Fairfax County Services
Learners review a list of county services and locations connected with the Fairfax County government then rank these services in order of importance. They work in small groups and research 3-5 services then compile a community Services...
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Organization of Fairfax County Government
Students identify Fairfax County government as council-manager government, describe term of office held by members of Board of Supervisors and districts they represent, how Chairman of Board of Supervisors is elected and term and...
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A Brief History of Fairfax County
Middle schoolers begin the lesson by writing what they know about Fairfax County in their journals. Using primary source documents, they identify ten interesting facts about the area and watch a video. They complete a Venn Diagram...
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Demography and Services of Fairfax County, Virginia
Twelfth graders are introduced to the demographics and services of Fairfax County, Virginia. In groups, they identify programs and services that should be supported by tax dollars and presnt them to the class in a PowerPoint presentation.
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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 lesson, they discuss how their...
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The Diary of Col. William Fairfax Gray
Fourth graders examine facts and opinions given by William Fairfax Gray in his diary, compare and contrast ideas expressed in his diary, express opinions using correct language arts skills, and calculate answers to given mathematical...
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Interconnections Between Private and Civic Life -- Focus on the County
Students distinguish between civic and public life. In groups, they identify the relationships between the two types of arenas as well. They research the roles of the Fairfax County government and how well they provide healthcare,...
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Exploring County Ordinances
Students examine county ordinances, develop understanding of degree to which county government serves and regulates citizens, describe competing interests involved in making local political policy, and decide whether government should be...
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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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Analyzing Public Policy Opinions
Students brainstorm a list of the major issues affecting Fairfax County, Virginia. Using the internet, they choose one topic to research in depth. To end the lesson, they analyze the effectiveness of an actual public policy proposal or...
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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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Pioneer Perspectives-Diverse Opinions on Westward Migration
Students examine the Westward Migration and expansion of the United States from the perspective of a family migrating westward. They analyze pictures, and in small groups write and present a script based on a photograph, expressing the...
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Revolutionary War
Students identify and research significant people, causes, and primary documents of the U.S. Revolutionary War. They create a class Revolutionary War web using Inspiration computer software, write a journal depicting three days in the...
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We the People: Promise and Practice in our Constitution
Learners examine the concept that the constitutional government guarantees that our government is not all-powerful and analyze the purposes of our government that are listed in the Preamble. They assess that equality under the law and...
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Art of Cynicism
Students analyze selected pieces of art and infer how they reflect a sense of disillusionment, and/or cynicism in American society in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal. Then they identify and place cultural attitudes...
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Oral History of World War II
Students research how citizens from the United States respond to the onset, duration and aftermath of World War II. They view clips from the movie "Swing Shift" and discuss the roles of civilians, minorities and military personnel. They...
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Case Studies in Journalistic Ethics - Number 3
Students investigate ethical decision making when using photos in journalism. In this ethics in journalism lesson plan, students read about the ethical use of images in media, discuss recent controversial photos, and look at online case...
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A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction
Fourth graders examine slavery and Reconstruction in Virginia. In this Virginians during Reconstruction lesson, 4th graders research primary sources for the story of William Jasper and other slaves. Students hypothesize how rights became...
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National Debate Over Treaty Ratification
High schoolers review the main points of the Versailles Treaty. In groups, they analyze a variety of political cartoons about Wilson and the treaty itself and share their findings with the class after completing a worksheet. To end the...
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Jamestown Scavenger Hunt
Students identify and share Primary Sources in Early American History by Janey Levy. Then they discuss the usefulness of using primary sources in uncovering the past. Students also research original documents from Jamestown to complete...
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Jefferson Administration
Students research the major domestic issues that were present during the administration of Thomas Jefferson including the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory, Lewis and Clark's expedition, and his foreign policy. They investigate...
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The Origins of American Government
Students create an advertising campaign to persuade the Founding Fathers to adopt a particular political philosophy. Working in groups, they conduct research about a certain political philosophy. Students create a pitch to be made to...