K-2nd Grade
Activity: Battledore: Turn arts-and-crafts into a chance to learn about schools in the 18th century by making a battledore!
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- K.1; 1.1; 2.1: Demonstrate skills for historical thinking, geographical analysis, economic decision making, and responsible citizenship by:
- a) Viewing artifacts and primary and secondary sources to develop an understanding of history
- g) Making connections between past and present
- K.3: Sequence events in the past and present and begin to recognize that things change over time. C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.K-2: Compare life in the past to life today
- D2.His.4.K-2: Compare perspectives of people in the past to those of people in the present
Activity: Design Your Own 18th Century Kite: What will your kite have? Suns, moons, and stars are popular.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- K.1; 1.1; 2.1: (same as above) C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.K-2: Compare life in the past to life today
- D2.His.9.K-2: Identify different kinds of historical sources
Activity: Kite: Make a kite, and play like children in the 18th century.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- K.1; 1.1; 2.1: (same as above) C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.K-2: Compare life in the past to life today
- D2.His.9.K-2: Identify different kinds of historical sources
- D2.His.10.K-2: Explain how historical sources can be used to study the past
Activity: Kush: Taste a dish that has roots in Africa and makes use of ingredients available to people who were enslaved.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- K.1; 1.1; 2.1: (same as above) C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.K-2: Compare life in the past to life today
Activity: Nine Men’s Morris: Make and play a game that was popular with Revolutionary War soldiers.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- K.1; 1.1; 2.1: (same as above)
- K.3: (same as above) C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.K-2: Compare life in the past to life today
- D2.His.4.K-2: Compare perspectives of people in the past to those of the present
Activity: Sweet Potatoes Broiled: Make and taste a dish influenced by Native American peoples.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- K.1; 1.1; 2.1: (same as above) C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.K-2: Compare life in the past to life today
- D2.His.9.K-2: Identify different kinds of historical sources
Activity: Sweet Potato Slips: Prepare your garden for the summer and fall by learning how to propagate sweet potatoes, as well as the importance of sweet potatoes in the 18th-century diet.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.4: Demonstrate an understanding of life in the Virginia colony by:
- a) Explaining the importance of agriculture and its influence on the institution of slavery
- e) Describing everyday life in colonial Virginia
Activity: Whirligig: Find out about an archaeological discovery and use it to make your own toy.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- K.1; 1.1; 2.1: (same as above)
- K.3: (same as above) C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.K-2: Compare life in the past to life today
4th-6th Grade
1. Battledore: 18th-Century School Craft
Turn arts-and-crafts into a history lesson by making a battledore, a school tool from the 18th century.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.1, USI.1: Analyze artifacts, interpret sources, and compare cultural perspectives
- VS.4: Describe everyday life in colonial Virginia
- USI.5: Understand colonial life through various perspectives
C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.3-5: Compare life in the past to today
- D2.His.4.3-5: Understand differing perspectives from the same time period
2. Colonial Seed Culture
Explore colonial agriculture by testing seeds for your own garden.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.4: Explain the role of agriculture and daily life in colonial Virginia
Science Standards:
- 4.4: Understand plant structures, reproduction, and photosynthesis
- 6.1: Practice observation, measurement, and scientific investigation
3. Colonial Seed Germination Calculations
Use math to calculate germination rates and analyze plant success.
Mathematics Standards:
- 4.13, 5.8, 5.15, 6.2, 6.5, 6.13, 6.14: Covering probability, measurement, fractions, decimals, and algebra
4. Design Your Own 18th-Century Kite
Create a kite inspired by 18th-century designs featuring suns, moons, or stars.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.1, USI.1: Analyze historical artifacts
- VS.4: Understand daily colonial life
C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.3-5: Compare life across time
- D2.His.9.3-5: Use historical sources to understand the past
5. Keeping a Diary
Discover how diaries serve as valuable primary sources for understanding history.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.1, USI.1: Analyze sources and recognize historical perspectives
C3 Framework:
- D2.His.6.3-5, D2.His.9.3-5, D2.His.13.3-5: Analyze source reliability and usage
6. Kite: Play Like an 18th-Century Child
Build and fly a kite to experience recreation from colonial times.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.1, USI.1: Interpret artifacts
- VS.4: Explore daily colonial life
C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.3-5, D2.His.9.3-5: Historical comparisons and source usage
7. Kush: Taste of Africa in Colonial Virginia
Sample a dish rooted in African traditions using ingredients available to the enslaved.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.1, USI.1: Compare cultural perspectives
- VS.4, USI.5: Explore the cultural influences shaping colonial Virginia
C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.3-5: Compare historical lifestyles
8. Nine Men’s Morris: Revolutionary Game
Make and play a popular colonial-era game enjoyed by soldiers.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.1, USI.1: Analyze artifacts and viewpoints
- VS.4, USI.5: Understand life across social roles in the colonies
C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.3-5, D2.His.4.3-5: Compare life and perspectives in history
9. Rosemary Stem Cuttings
Learn about plant propagation through colonial gardening practices.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.4: Agricultural importance and daily colonial practices
Science Standards:
- 4.4: Explore plant anatomy, reproduction, and adaptations
10. Sweet Potatoes Broiled
Cook a dish inspired by Native American influence in colonial diets.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.1, VS.3, VS.4: Interactions and agricultural culture in colonial Virginia
- USI.4, USI.5: Cultural exchange and economic life
C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.3-5: Compare past and present lifestyles
11. Whirligig: Toy From the Past
Use an archaeological find to recreate a colonial spinning toy.
Virginia Standards of Learning:
- VS.1, USI.1: Analyze artifacts and connections over time
- VS.4, USI.5: Describe colonial life from multiple perspectives
C3 Framework:
- D2.His.2.3-5: Compare life in history to today
