SCHOOL CONNECTIONS

Instructional personnel from Virginia schools have developed various Web sites to include resources for the Virginia Studies Standards of Learning. These Web sites offer sample innovative instructional activities, background information, biographies, lesson plans, pacing guides, search engines, time lines, virtual tours, and Web quests.

Note: If there is a particularly interesting site we might include in School Connections, please send the Web address and pertinent information using the Feedback link on this site.

Engaging Students with Foldables was created by Susie Orr, an elementary social studies specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools. Foldable templates that were modeled after the folding techniques of Dinah Zike.  These models correlate to specific Virginia SOL objectives and essential knowledge for Virginia Studies.  It is strongly recommended that teachers either demonstrate the folding techniques or refer to Dinah’s book when sharing the templates with colleagues.  A reference book, Dinah Zike’s Big Book of Social Studies for Elementary K-6, includes clear technique directions on how to complete each of the folds used in these templates.  For examples, CLICK HERE.

http://www.chesterfield.k12.va.us/Instruction/Curriculum/cpr_index/elemhistory.htm
This site offers sample pacing guides, curriculum overviews, and curricular planning resources for Virginia Studies.

http://www.pwcs.edu/curriculum/social/index.html#Curriculum%20Warehouse
Links to Virginia Studies resources, curriculum, pacing guides, and student and teacher information sites can be found at this Web site.

http://marg.mhost.com/vahistory.html
A list of Web sites about people, places, and events in Virginia's rich history has been compiled in this resourceful site.

http://www.myhq.com/public/s/o/soltest/index.html
Raleigh Court Elementary School in Roanaoke has created a site with over 1,000 tests and selected links to Virginia Studies topics.

http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us/k5/socialstudies.htm
Social Studies Sites for Elementary Teachers and Students is the title of this full Web site that includes many links to Virginia Resources.

Just as the Standards of Learning are not designed to be objectives for individual lessons, no strategy or resource link on the site by itself will satisfy an entire SOL.  These links are meant for teachers' use.  As with all material found on the Internet, teachers should consider the age appropriateness of the site and be very careful in allowing students to explore these sites unless direct supervision is provided.  The Virginia Department of Education is not responsible for the content of various links beyond the initial levels linked in this site and does not officially endorse any software or other products mentioned on the linked sites.