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Social studies and kids in DC: Your grade by grade guide to amazing places to see and things to

 

                                                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

Our kids are immensely lucky  to live in the “DMV” during their school years. My son and I have had a blast choosing incredible, local places of interest that correspond to his social studies curriculum as a way of enriching and extending the often, too-brief lessons learned in school.

 

Decide whether, based on your child's attention and activity level,  these visits would be more appropriate six months or so before the relevent school year, or whether it's best to visit them at the time your child is studying a particular topic.

 Here are some of our favorite places to visit, either as a family or part of a field trip, and listed by grade to correspond to FCPS’ standards of learning. Links for some resources are listed below in the Additional Info. box:

 

1^st grade- This wondrous year is all about appreciating and embracing diversity and multi-culturalism. Festivals, international feasts, and learning about holidays and celebrations around the world generally dominate. Consider a visit to Discovery Theater (previously in the Arts and Industries Building, but now housed in the Ripley Visitors Center with performances at locations around DC). Live performances featuring puppets and other devices to hold young audience members attention will entertain your youngster discoverytheater.org/index.shtm. The beautiful Kennedy Center www.kennedy-center.org/produces many family programs, generally located in the Theater Lab or the newly renovated, gorgeous Eisenhower Theater, that feature plays and music with an international emphasis.Your child will be so delighted they won't realize how educational it is. And, it's never to early to learn how to be a wonderful audience member and behave in a theater. Of course, the International Children’s Festival at Wolf Trap www.nps.gov/wotr/in the fall is a perennial favorite.

 

2^nd grade- The year of the American Indian. Time for a visit to the beautiful, new Smithsonian museum, The National Museum of the American Indian. Look for the beautiful tepees that adorn the entrance lawn and enjoy numerous hands-on activities perfect for this age group www.nmai.si.edu/. Visit Riverbend Park in Great Falls, Virginia www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/for the Annual Indian Festival, held every fall in the park. You’ll learn about cooking, try to make a fire, see a dugout, help make arrowheads, practice archery and hear some moving drumming, and watch traditional Indian dances performed. The Indian headdresses and traditional garb are stunning.

 

3^rd grade- I’ll admit it…..this was my chance to relearn all I had forgotten about early explorers and brush up on some geography! Get that globe out of the closet and plan to leave it out in the family room for the next couple of years.  To help reinforce these geography lessons, it would be a wonderful time for a trip to The National Zoo to help bring an understanding of Africa, Asia, the Arctic and the Rain Forest to life. Students are studying ancient Greece, Rome and West Africa during this year, so as you stroll around D.C., have your child point out the many examples of Greek architecture (notice all those columns!). 

 

While many 3rd graders may not be ready for it, more mature kids (and nearly all adults) will be spellbound by the beauty of the Library of Congress. The artwork is breathtaking and filled with symbolism, representing the finest of Roman and Athenian aspirations. Gaze at the incredibly detailed, intricate and many-layered, symbolic murals, reliefs and statuary (www.loc.gov/about/facts.html ). NOTE: Long museum trips are generally not a good idea for kids in this age group, so consider a few, shorter visits spread throughout the year, interlocking with topics in school that quarter.

 

4^th grade- this was one of my favorites!! It’s Colonial Days, nearly 24/7! Join the class on a field trip to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, or take the family along on your adventure. At Jamestown you’ll see the old fort, go inside a longhouse, see how deer were utilized by the settlers in every possible way, learn about crops, and experience the life of a soldier. Closer to home, visit the Claude Moore Colonial Farm just off the GW Parkway, in McLean (right near the CIA in Langley), and experience life on a farm right before the Revolutionary War www.nps.gov/clmo/planyourvisit/directions.htm. Many children enjoy a trip to Mt.Vernon to see George Washington’s home, visiting the  Washington Monument (you can go to the top once again, but you'll need a ticket, which can be purchased in advance). Contact www.nps.gov/wamo/ for information, and this is also a great time to visit the Jefferson Memorial. While some students may be too young, a preliminary visit to the National Archives will help bring the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence and other treasures to life.

 

5^th grade- Yes, M’Lord and M’Lady, it’s the Renaissance. Students in 5^th grade learn about Medieval Days with an emphasis on inventions and discoveries. Visit the Maryland Renaissance Festival for a day of jousting, juggling and archery as well as feasting, learning about crafts, and see lovely, period costumes (wear one if you like). Their location is moving after the ’08 season, but visit their website for details and updates.

 

6th grade- This final year of elementary school cover a HUGE amount of info., including Westward Expansion (“manifest destiny” is a HUGE topic), the Civil War, the gold rush, and the Industrial Revolution, in addition to introducing the Constitution and civics. This is a great time to visit battlefields like Antietam and Bull Run, Arlington National Cemetery and The National Museum of American History, americanhistory.si.edu/.  Be among the first to visit the newly renovated museum that re-opens on November 21, 2008. You'll learn all about society-changing American inventions and discoveries as well as relish exhibits on everything from America's love affair with the automobile, the industrial revolution, changes in American behavior over the years relative to technology ,food prep, and much more. Include visits to The National Portrait Gallery,www.npg.si.edu/ ,The National Archives www.archives.gov/, and Ford’s Theater this year too.

 

As a plus, rent (or rent, again) National Treasure and Night at the Museum. Your youngster will have a blast being in on the jokes as they identify everything they’ve learned the past few years.

 

Come back soon as I’ll cover the middle school curriculum, with it’s very timely emphasis on government, our political system, and economics. Aren’t we lucky to live here!