The students in fourth-grade history classes in Virginia begin learning historical and geographical analysis. They will begin to view and identify primary and secondary sources, and use these sources to gain a deeper understanding of historical events. For example, students can gain general factual information about the settlement at Jamestown by reading a chapter from their text book. However, they can enhance this learning by reading a personal letter or excerpt from the diary of a person who actually lived there. Once they gain this understanding, they should begin to compare and contrast the events they learn about and make connections between past events and current events. Students will also begin to read, understand and use maps to identify land masses, bodies of water, and landforms, and calculate distances.
Fourth-grade students should learn to identify Virginia and its border states on a map. They will also learn at least three Native American language groups that are native to Virginia, and the three Native American groups the government recognizes currently. They should also begin to understand and explain how the native peoples related to their environment, including the geography and the climate, and how they obtained the food, water and shelter they required for survival.
Students will learn about Jamestown, the first English settlement in the U.S., and what geographic features caused the settlers to establish their village at what became Jamestown. They should also discuss the interactions between the native peoples and the English settlers and how these interactions affected the survival of both people. Curriculum will include the growth of Virgina's contribution to the American Revolution, as well as the decision to expand the country westward.
This part of the standards focuses on what caused the nation to begin its division before the American Civil War. It involves not only the division of the nation, but the division of Virginia, as West Virginia was created. After this, the students should learn about Reconstruction and then segregation laws and their effect on life in Virginia. They should also learn about the impact and importance of new industries and city growth in Virginia.
This final portion involves Virginia during the 20th and 21st century, specifically the transition from a largely rural state to a one with urbanized areas and areas of industrialization. The students will also learn about important historical effects Virginians such as Woodrow Wilson have had and political events that affected desegregation. By the end of the school year, students should be able to identify the three branches of Virginia's government, major Virginian products and industries and how Virginia contributes to the national and world economies.