Developing disciplinary literacy in history requires that classrooms become an environment where students can engage in discursive practices typical of the profession. Disciplinary literacy refers to the specialized ways of reading and writing used in history to construct historical arguments and ways of reasoning. Learning history includes using…

Although Thomas Jefferson's view of freedom was the cornerstone of the Declaration of Independence, this founding father owned 170 slaves to run his 5,000 acre plantation. This article describes a unit developed by the Monticello (Virginia) Education Department that teaches secondary students about slave Isaac Jefferson while exposing them to…

Describes a school project in which children learn about their state's geography by visiting Virginia's historical sites. The project's culminating activity was an individual presentation by each student about the history of the area they visited. (BSR)

Presents a secondary school lesson plan about Jennie Dean and the founding of the Manassas (VA) Industrial School in the late 1880s. Provides historical background for the lesson, step-by-step instructional procedures, four primary source photographs, and three student handouts. (CFR)

A compilation of diverse lesson plans, project ideas, and resources for teaching the United States Constitution to junior high and senior high school students is presented. The document contains seven sections: (1) Teaching the Constitution: An Interdisciplinary Approach; (2) A Sampling of New Books on the Constitution; (3) Films and Videotapes;…

Presents a lesson plan based on the military decisions made at the Battle of Manassas, or Bull Run, in the Civil War. Provides historical background and outlines the military strategies of both the North and South. Includes role-playing description handouts and possible choices for students involved in the role-playing. (CFR)

This study of Virginia state government commemorates the bicentennial celebration of America's independence and Virginia's role in the establishment of the United States. Presented by the Virginia League of Women Voters in outline form to serve as a quick reference guide for teachers and students, the booklet comprises eight chapters. Chapter I…

A history of the state of Virginia from 1763 to 1783 is presented. Intended for use in the public schools of Virginia, the publication was prepared to assist educators in developing topics of study relating to Virginia's role in the American Revolution and to help students develop deeper appreciation for their rich heritage. The study is divided…

A project to upgrade knowledge and skills of junior high school students in American history was conducted in four cities and counties in Virginia during 1977-78. The hypothesis was that students who received feedback from teachers regarding performance on an American history pre-test would perform better on a subsequent American history test.…

Hampton Institute has developed an educational technique in several lines which is of interest especially to those institutions that are still trying to find their way under difficulties and that for lack of vision as well as lack of support are unable to reach the high ideals of training which have resulted from the careful working out of the…