Outreach in Virginia
Programs in Your Classroom
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation offers hands-on, inquiry-oriented outreach programs that bring history to life in your Virginia classroom. The outreach education programs are endorsed by the National Council for the Social Studies, the nation's leading association of social studies educators, and assist teachers in meeting Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) at elementary, middle and secondary grade levels. The programs, in which students explore reproduction artifacts from Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center, are designed for an average class size and last approximately one hour. Program booklets, which contain background information and pre- and post-visit activities designed to foster an interdisciplinary approach to the subject matter, can be downloaded.
Outreach Program Topics
Living With the Indians: Students handle and analyze clothing, bone tools, pottery and other reproduction artifacts of the Powhatan Indian culture. They learn the ways Powhatans effectively used their environment and the day-to-day jobs in and around a Powhatan village. Classes also receive materials to make their own rope. Meets Virginia Social Studies Standards of Learning Objectives: K.1,2.2,2.3,VS.1,VS.2,USI.3.
Cultures at Jamestown: Through demonstration, role playing, inquiry and examination of reproduction artifacts from the Powhatan Indian, English and African cultures, students will compare and contrast the cultures that came into contact at Jamestown. They will examine how these cultures exchanged ideas, technology and knowledge and how these interactions shaped American history and life in the United States today. Meets Virginia Social Studies Standards of Learning Objectives: VS.1, VS.3, VS.4, USI.1, USI.4.
Life at Jamestown: Students learn about the early struggles and economic ventures of the English colonists at Jamestown by handling reproduction objects of the period. They explore the reasons the English settled, the hardships they faced, the reasons the colony survived and the important of English government. Meets Virginia Social Studies Standards of Learning Objectives: VS.1, VS.3, USI.1, USI.4, USI.5.
Life of a Private: While developing historical analysis skills, students investigate key issues that led to the American Revolution, life in the Continental Army and reasons why America was victorious in the war. Students explore the experiences of soldiers and civilians at the time of the American Revolution through examination of reproduction artifacts from the time period. Meets Virginia Social Studies Standards of Learning Objectives: VS.1, VS.5, USI.1, USI.5.
Colonial Life: Through examination of reproduction artifacts and primary sources, students explore life on a typical 1780s Tidewater Virginia farm. They learn about the economic decisions made and the daily chores necessary to run a small farm during the colonial, Revolutionary War and post-war periods. Students also investigate the roles of the farm family and enslaved Africans on the farm. Meets Virginia Social Studies Standards of Learning Objectives: VS.1, VS.4, VS.5, USI.1, USI.5, USI.6. USI.7.
Colonial Medicine: History and science merge as students examine reproductions of 18th-century medical tools and procedures. Students learn theory, the types of health care given in a typical colonial home, and the many jobs of a colonial doctor - from pulling teeth to amputating arms and legs. Meets Virginia Social Studies Standards of Learning Objectives: VS.1,USI.1.
Cost for outreach programs is $1.25 per student within Virginia. Special rates are available for schools that also visit one of our museums. For additional information or to schedule an outreach program, contact group reservations and outreach education at (757) 253-4939 , fax (757) 253-4997, or email group.reservations@jyf.virginia.gov
Complete and return the Outreach Scheduling forms to finalize your Outreach arrangements. Please return the forms at least two weeks in advance of your scheduled Outreach program.
Consult the Outreach Program Checklist to prepare for your outreach visit.
Live outside of Virginia? To request information about outreach education programs outside of Virginia, please write to Outreach Education and Special Services, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, P.O. Box 1607, Williamsburg, VA 23187.
