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Web Links

About Virginia

Virginia.gov - The Official Commonwealth of Virginia Home Page
The official state Web site is a first stop for information about Virginia.
http://www.virginia.gov/cmsportal/
Virginia QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau
If you're looking for data about Virginia, check out this page. County information is available as well.
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51000.html
Virginia State Government
This site features direct links to an array of Virginia-related information, including official government Web sites, laws, taxes, and other general resources.
http://GovSpot.com/state/va.htm

Education Resources

Virginia Department of Education
The Virginia Department of Education's Web site is an invaluable resource. Here you will find information on assessment, standards, and more.
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/
Educational Resources for Virginia
This site lists Virginia resources from the U.S. Department of Education.
http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list_by_territory.cfm?territory_id=va

State Teacher Organizations

Welcome to the Virginia State Reading Association
The Virginia State Reading Association Web site offers information on conferences, awards and grants, and legislation.
http://www.vsra.org/
Virginia Association of Teachers of English
Here you will find information about the Virginia affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English.
http://www.vate.org/
Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Web site contains information on grants, conferences, links, and membership.
http://www.vctm.org/
Virginia Association of Science Teachers
The Virginia Association of Science Teachers provides job listings, Internet resources and information on awards, grants, events, and conferences.
http://www.vast.org/
Virginia Council for the Social Studies
Here you will find information about Virginia affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies.
http://www.vcss.org/

Maps

Virginia
Here you will find a political map showing major towns and rivers.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/nytmaps.pl?virginia
Color Landform Atlas: Virginia
This site contains topographical and political maps to the county level for Virginia, as well as a menu of links to other online information about the state.
http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/va_0.html

History

History Globe
At this great Web site, your students can put themselves in the role of a Jamestown colonist and see how they well they would have done as settlers in Virginia.
http://www.historyglobe.com/jamestown/
The Building of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
This National Park Service lesson plan invites your students to investigate the changes that new forms of transportation brought to the Commonwealth.
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/10cando/10cando.htm
Virginia
These pages from the Library of Congress focus on interesting moments in Virginia's history.
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/es/va

Civil War

Richmond National Battlefield — Home Page
Richmond, Virginia was the capital city of the Confederate States of America and a symbol of the South's secession from the Union. This site from the National Park Service details the significance of Richmond in the Civil War through descriptions, photographs, and a timeline of events.
http://www.nps.gov/rich/home.htm
Appomattox Courthouse National Park, Civil War, Virginia
This National Park Service Web site takes a closer look at the surrender of Robert E. Lee and its implications.
http://www.nps.gov/apco/index1.htm
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
The area around Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Civil War. At this National Park Service Web site you can learn more about the many battles that took place in this area.
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/vc.htm
Manassas National Battlefield Park: Home Page
In June, 1861, and in August, 1862, Manassas, Virginia was the site of important Civil War battles. Visit this Web site to learn about the place where fighting first broke out and where the South perhaps reached its moment of greatest strength.
http://www.nps.gov/mana/home.htm

History Museums

Colonial Williamsburg…Where History Lives
Visit a bustling Southern city at this wonderful Web site. Colonial Williamsburg is the country's best-known historical restoration, portraying life in the Virginia city in the years before the revolution. The Web site explores such details of Southern colonial life as craftsmanship, family life, and slavery.
http://www.history.org/History/index.cfm
Welcome to the APVA and Jamestown Rediscovery
This archaeological project tried to find the remains of the 1607 Jamestown colony in Virginia. Check out the online exhibits and site plan to see how the discoveries have led to new understanding of life in colonial America.
http://www.apva.org
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
Explore Mount Vernon, home of the United States' first president.
http://www.mountvernon.org/
Monticello: the Home of Thomas Jefferson
Visit the home that our third president described as “an essay in architecture.”
http://www.monticello.org/
Booker T. Washington National Monument Jome Page
Learn more about the prominent African American educator at this National Park Service Web site.
http://www.nps.gov/bowa/home.htm
The Mariners' Museum—Newport News, Virginia
This Newport News, Virginia museum has collected materials that follow maritime discoveries from ancient times to Captain Cook's 1768 voyage to the South Pacific. This site offers many hands-on activities, a bibliography, and a suggested reading list.
http://www.mariner.org/

Art Museums

African Art: Aesthetics and Meaning
You can view images of West African art at this online exhibit from the Bayly Art Museum at the University of Virginia. This site also contains information on the elements of African aesthetics.
http://www.lib.virginia.edu/clemons/RMC/exhib/93.ray.aa/African.html
Virginia's Virtual Art Room
At this Web site from The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, students can find interactive learning activities about Egypt, and teachers can find lesson plans and resources.
http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/gmuvava/

Presidents

Biography of George Washington
Here you will find an account of the Virginian who became known as the Father of His Country.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html
The Papers of George Washington
This site from the University of Virginia allows you to read selected writings of George Washington, find articles written about him, and view online exhibits relating to his life and accomplishments.
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/
Biography of Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of Independence, pPresident, and philosopher, Thomas Jefferson is one of the most compelling figures in American history. This Web site examines his life before, during, and after the presidency.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/tj3.html
Biography of James Madison
From the triumph of the Constitution to the tragedy of the burning of Washington during the War of 1812, the story of James Madison is told here.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm4.html
Biography of James Monroe
Famous for the Monroe Doctrine and for the purchase of Florida from the Spanish, the nation's fifth president was also one of its most popular commanders-in-chief.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm5.html
Biography of William Henry Harrison
Born in Virginia, William Henry Harrison is known for inaugurating a new style of election politics and for being the first President to die in office.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/wh9.html
Biography of John Tyler
A dedicated Virginian, John Tyler was the first vice president to assume the presidency when a president died in office.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jt10.html
Zachary Taylor
Born in Virginia, Zachary Taylor served in the military for 40 years before being elected president.
http://www.americanpresident.org/history/zacharytaylor/
Woodrow Wilson
A native Virginian, Woodrow Wilson guided the nation through World War I.
http://www.americanpresident.org/history/woodrowwilson/

More About Virginia

Mill Mountain Zoo
You can meet bald eagles, red pandas, snow leopards, and other residents of this Roanoake zoo at the Mill Mountain Zoo Web site.
http://www.mmzoo.org/
Shenandoah Stories
Explore the history and landscape of the Shenandoah Valley at this National Park Service Web site.
http://www.nps.gov/shen/3.htm

For Virginia Kids

Quick Facts: Virginia
“Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government,” from the U.S. Printing office, runs down fun Virginia facts, including the state motto, flower, and song.
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/state/virginia.html
KidsCommonwealth: A Learning Portal for Virginia Kids
The Virginia kids' site gives students a look at their state and its government.
http://www.kidscommonwealth.virginia.gov/home/
Virginia Fun Facts
This is a great resource for kids, with census info made kid-friendly!
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/kids/funfacts/virginia.html