LESSON PLANS
The initial development of this educational content was made possible through a grant from the Elis Olssen Foundation and the commitment of Library of Virginia interns and the Educational Advisory Council.
Arthur Ashe Photograph
Themes: African Americans, Popular Culture
A champion of human dignity around the world, Arthur Ashe overcame the discrimination he faced growing up in Virginia to become a top-ranked tennis player and acclaimed author.
SOL: USII.9, VS.9
Virginia Ordinance of Secession
Themes: Military History, Politics
After the firing on Fort Sumter in South Carolina in April 1861, Virginians voted in favor of secession. The Ordinance of Secession declared that the State of Virginia had repealed its ratification of the United States Constitution, and declared Virginia an independent governing body.
SOL: USI.1, USI.9, VS.1, VS.7, VUS.1, VUS.7
World War II Home Front: Can all you Can
Themes: Military History, Politics, Popular Culture, Technology and Science, Women
During World War II citizens were asked to can foods at home in order to help with the war effort. Use this government-issued poster and an August 1942 letter by Naomi Thomas to Virginia governor Colgate Darden to begin a discussion about life on the home front during WWII.
SOL: CE.1, CE.3, CE.4, CE.7, CE.9, USII.1, USII.8, VS.1, VUS.1, VUS.11
Thomas Meade Estate Inventory
Themes: Legal, Popular Culture
Part of the process of settling an estate after an individual's death in the seventeenth century was to take a probate inventory.
SOL: CE.1, USI.1, USI.5, VS.1, VUS.1
Nat Turner Rebellion
Themes: African Americans, Tragedy and Disaster
Nat Turner, a slave from Southampton County, led a group of slaves in revolt in August 1831.
SOL: VS.6, VS.7
Petition from Judith Hope
Themes: African Americans, Legal
Judith Hope petitioned the legislature five times between 1819 and 1821 either for emancipation alone or for emancipation and permission to remain in Virginia.
SOL: CE.8, GOVT.3, USI.1, USI.8, USI.9, VS.7, VS.8, VUS.1, VUS.6
Henry Box Brown Escapes Slavery
Themes: African Americans, Transportation
On March 23, 1849, Henry Brown stepped into a box three feet long, two and one-half feet deep and two feet wide to begin his journey from Richmond to Philadelphia and freedom.
SOL: VS.7
Gilbert Hunt and the Richmond Theater Fire
Themes: African Americans, Tragedy and Disaster
Gilbert Hunt, an enslaved African American, helped to rescue victims of the Richmond Theater Fire of December 1811. Later, he earned enough money working as a blacksmith to purchase his way out of bondage.
SOL: VS.1
Manumission Petition for James Lafayette
Themes: African Americans, Legal, Military History
James, the slave of William Armistead, served in 1781 at Yorktown by spying on Lord Cornwallis for the Marquis de Lafayette. James carried vital information across enemy lines, even pretending to act as a double agent, providing the British with just enough information to gain their confidence so he could learn more to ensure an American victory.
SOL: USI.1, VS.1, VS.2, VS.5
Land Survey by George Washington
Themes: Business and Entrepureneurs, Geography and Exploration
American history tends to focus on George Washington as a leader of the Continental army during the American Revolution, and as our nation's first president. Less emphasis has been devoted to Washington's early career as a land surveyor.
SOL: 1.2, 2.11, K.1, K.4, USI.1, VS.1