New Year...New Blog

In August 2011, I began my first bloging adventure to share with others the joy I get from teaching science in my classroom... Now, I'd like to share the joy of teaching Virginia Studies to my fourth graders.

We are getting ready to teach about Colonial Virginia after Xmas break.  For those of you in Virginia...you know it as "VS4".

I have put together some powerpoints, active learning strategies and notebook suggestions for you to view and use...for FREE. I will also take the time to comment and share other resources found on the web...

The first lesson is on "Virginia is Changing" - how the colony changes in the early 1700's from living at Jamestown to living on Plantations and other settlements. 

Everyday Life in Colonial Virginia

Day one

Objective:  To introduce students to the customs of everyday life in colonial Virginia – VS4e

Procedure:

Students will interact with a PowerPoint presentation; take notes and then compare two types of classes in colonial times.

Step 1:  Ask students to turn in their Va. Studies Notebook to the next clean page and write in big lettering – Colonial Virginia.

Step 2:  Next, students should copy the focus question down and a graphic organizer too:

            FQ:  What was daily life like in Virginia?

Housing	·         Plantations for a few rich farmers ·         Rich had carriages, fine furniture ·         One room homes with dirt floor for most
Food	·         Food choices were limited ·         Meals were made of local produce and meats
Clothing	·         Households made their own clothes ·         Most clothing made of cotton, wool and leather ·         Rich had fancy clothes from London

Step 3:  Go through the PowerPoint together and discuss along the way what you notice.  You can use the Teacher background sheet for more information.  Have them add bullets to the chart as the PowerPoint introduces them.

Step 4:  At the end of the PowerPoint, have the students compare the rich to most Virginians in their journals.

To view the PowerPoint, go to http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Virginia-Is-Growing.
      
                               Enjoy it!  Leslie