FAM prides itself in being a local partner in education and building confident life-long learners. Our cross-curriculum programs connect Fredericksburg’s past to subjects that students are studying in school. The museum’s goal is to have preK-12 students understand our region’s nation shaping history while building 21st-century learning skills like critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.
FAM educational programs are led by a trained museum educator and last an hour. Educators can schedule a program at the museum, virtually, or in your classroom. The programs are as follows:
Field Trips at FAM
Stomp: Dinosaur Discoveries (Preschool, Kindergarten – 5th Grade)
Did you know that dinosaurs lived in Fredericksburg 112 million years ago? Students will become paleontologists and investigate the regions’ fossilized dinosaur tracks. Field trip includes developmentally appropriate interactive activities such as creating dinosaur prints.
Preschool Skills: Communication, Curiosity and Initiative, Interacting with Others, Gross and Fine Motor Skills
English SOLS: K.1.A-J, 1.1.A-L, 2.1.A-J,L, 3.1.A-H, 4.1.A-G, 5.1.A-F
Science SOLS: K.1.F, K.7.A-B, 1.1.B, 1.5.A-C., 2.1.D, 2.5.A-C, 3.1.A-D.F, 3.4.C, 3.5.A-B, 4.1.A-D.F, 4.3.A.D, 5.1. A-D.F, 5.8.E
The Colonial Market Place (4th-5th grade)
Available Spring 2025
Students will become historians and explore the intricate role Market Square played in shaping colonial Fredericksburg. Through hands-on station activities, classes will examine how the geography and environment shaped colonial economics. Topics include cash crops, Fredericksburg as a port city, Virginia commerce and its reliance upon enslaved labor.
This program takes place outside in Market Square.
History and Social Sciences SOLs: Skills VS A-C, VS 4 F, Skills USI A-C, USI 3 B, Skills VUS A-B, D, H, VUS 3 A-E
Lafayette’s World: Revolutionary Ideals and the Limits of Freedom (4th – 5th Grade, 9th – 12th Grade)
Come tour the space where Lafayette once stood! Students will learn about the Marquis de Lafayette’s role during the American Revolution and his abolitionist beliefs by close-viewing and analyzing artifacts from FAM’s new exhibit.
English SOL: 4.1.A-G, 5.1.A-F
History and Social Studies SOLs: Skills VS A.C.I, VS.5.B, Skills USI .A.C.H.I, USI.6.d, VUS7, VUS8
African American Voices and Stories (6th – 12th Grade)
Students will become historians and uncover local African American history and perspectives through analyzing primary sources. By exploring FAM’s galleries, participants learn the stories of those who have come before and how that shapes the world they live in today.
English SOLS: 6.1.A-J, 7.1.A-J, 8.1.A.G, 9.2.A-E, 10.2.C-F,11.2.C-E, 12.2.C
History and Social Science SOLs: Skills USII.A.C.H, USII.2.E, USII.5.H, USII.8.A, Skills VUS.A.D.E.H, VUS.3.B.C, VUS.9.E, VUS.10.G, VUS.16.A
School Visits by FAM Staff
Stomp: Dinosaur Discoveries (Preschool, Kindergarten – 5th Grade)
Did you know that dinosaurs lived in Fredericksburg 112 million years ago? Students will become paleontologists and investigate the regions’ fossilized dinosaur tracks. Field trip includes developmentally appropriate interactive activities such as creating dinosaur prints.
Preschool Skills: Communication, Curiosity and Initiative, Interacting with Others, Gross and Fine Motor Skills
English SOLS: K.1.A-J, 1.1.A-L, 2.1.A-J,L, 3.1.A-H, 4.1.A-G, 5.1.A-F
Science SOLS: K.1.F, K.7.A-B, 1.1.B, 1.5.A-C., 2.1.D, 2.5.A-C, 3.1.A-D.F, 3.4.C, 3.5.A-B, 4.1.A-D.F, 4.3.A.D, 5.1. A-D.F, 5.8.E
Powhatan People (Preschool, Kindergarten – 5th Grade)
Discover what life was like for the Powhatan people along the Rappahannock River. Through discussion of artifacts, photographs, and drawings, students learn about the Virginia Indians’ traditional food ways, shelter, and clothing as well their reliance on natural resources.
Preschool Skills: Communication, Curiosity and Initiative Interacting with Others, Gross Motor Skills
English SOLS: K.1.A-J, 1.1.A-L, 2.1.A-J.L, 3.1.A-H, 4.1.A-G, 5.1.A-F
History and Social Science SOLs: Skills K.G.A-C,E,I, K.4.B, Skills 1.A-C.E.I, 1.4.A-B, 1.5.A, Skills 2.A-C.E.I, 2.5.A.D, 2.13.A.D, Skills 3.A-C.I, Skills VS. A-C.E, VS.2.A-E, Skills USI.A-C.E.H, USI.2.B
Science SOLS: K.3.A-D, K.7.A, K11.A, 1.3.A, 1.8.A, 2.8.A, 4.8.A-D
Fredericksburg Underwater (3rd-6th Grade)
The largest recorded flood in Fredericksburg’s history happened in 1942. By examining this local event, participants will learn about the causes and effects of flooding and how rising water from environmental impact affects a community.
English SOLS: 3.1.A-H, 4.1.A-G, 5.1.A-F, 6.1.A-C
History and Social Science SOLs: Skills 3.A-C.I Skills VS. A-C.E, Skills USI. A-C,F, Skills USII. A-C, F
Math SOLS: 3.MG.1, 4.MG.1, 5.MG.1
Science SOLS: 3.8.A,C, 4.4.A-B, 4.8.A ,6.6.F, 6.8 A – D
The Colonial Market Place (4th-5th grade)
Available Spring 2025
Students will become historians and explore the intricate role Market Square played in shaping colonial Fredericksburg. Through hands-on station activities, classes will examine how the geography and environment shaped colonial economics. Topics include cash crops, Fredericksburg as a port city, Virginia commerce and its reliance upon enslaved labor.
This program takes place outside in Market Square.
History and Social Sciences SOLs: Skills VS A-C, VS 4 F, Skills USI A-C, USI 3 B, Skills VUS A-B, D, H, VUS 3 A-E
African American Voices and Stories (6th – 12th Grade)
Students will become historians and uncover local African American history and perspectives through analyzing primary sources. By exploring FAM’s galleries, participants learn the stories of those who have come before and how that shapes the world they live in today.
English SOLS: 6.1.A-J, 7.1.A-J, 8.1.A.G, 9.2.A-E, 10.2.C-F,11.2.C-E, 12.2.C
History and Social Science SOLs: Skills USII.A.C.H, USII.2.E, USII.5.H, USII.8.A, Skills VUS.A.D.E.H, VUS.3.B.C, VUS.9.E, VUS.10.G, VUS.16.A
Virtual Programs
Powhatan People (Preschool, Kindergarten – 5th Grade)
Discover what life was like for the Powhatan people along the Rappahannock River. Through discussion of artifacts, photographs, and drawings, students learn about the Virginia Indians’ traditional food ways, shelter, and clothing as well their reliance on natural resources.
Preschool Skills: Communication, Curiosity and Initiative Interacting with Others, Gross Motor Skills
English SOLS: K.1.A-J, 1.1.A-L, 2.1.A-J.L, 3.1.A-H, 4.1.A-G, 5.1.A-F
History and Social Science SOLs: Skills K.G.A-C,E,I, K.4.B, Skills 1.A-C.E.I, 1.4.A-B, 1.5.A, Skills 2.A-C.E.I, 2.5.A.D, 2.13.A.D, Skills 3.A-C.I, Skills VS. A-C.E, VS.2.A-E, Skills USI.A-C.E.H, USI.2.B
Science SOLS: K.3.A-D, K.7.A, K11.A, 1.3.A, 1.8.A, 2.8.A, 4.8.A-D
African American Voices and Stories (6th – 12th Grade)
Students will become historians and uncover local African American history and perspectives through analyzing primary sources. By exploring FAM’s galleries, participants learn the stories of those who have come before and how that shapes the world they live in today.
English SOLS: 6.1.A-J, 7.1.A-J, 8.1.A.G, 9.2.A-E, 10.2.C-F,11.2.C-E, 12.2.C
History and Social Science SOLs: Skills USII.A.C.H, USII.2.E, USII.5.H, USII.8.A, Skills VUS.A.D.E.H, VUS.3.B.C, VUS.9.E, VUS.10.G, VUS.16.A
Book a Program
Contact:
Theresa Cramer
Education and Public Programs Manager
tcramer@famva.org • 540.371.3037 ext. 138
Costs:
Field Trip at FAM
$4 per student and chaperone. All teachers are free.
Off-Site Visits
$6 per student for schools within a 25-mile radius of FAM, and $9 per student for schools exceeding the 25-mile radius. All teachers are free.
Virtual Program
$60 program fee
All Programs Are FREE for Fredericksburg City Public School
