The Fredericksburg Area Museum’s (FAM) education programs cover the history of our region including topic such as the Virginia Indians, 18th-century life, the American Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the importance of the Rappahannock River to our community. These interactive cross-curriculum programs connect Fredericksburg’s past to subjects that students are studying in school.
The FAM’s Early Adventurers program encourages preschoolers to use their instinctive nature to investigate and explore the world around them in an environment designed for this age group. Our Museum on the Move traveling program brings the museum field trip experience and our educators to you. Students will learn more about Fredericksburg’s history through listening to local stories, handling reproduction artifacts, analyzing primary sources and hands-on activities. FAM Gallery Programs allow students to explore our ever-changing galleries to discover current and past local stories!
The museum can present field trip programs virtually. A virtual field trip lasts about one hour, and during this time, a FAM educator connects with the class and discusses events in Fredericksburg history, using images, primary sources, and artifacts. Students’ questions will be answered in real time. FAM will provide content worksheets for use in the classroom. We can connect with your class via Zoom, Skype, or Google Meets.
Thank you to the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock Region’s Community Relief Fund, Virginia Humanities, and the Duff McDuff Green Jr. Fund of the Community Foundation for their generous support of our virtual education initiatives!
Contact:
Theresa Cramer
Education & Public Programs Coordinator
tcramer@famva.org • 540.371.3037 ext. 138
Costs*:
*FREE for all Fredericksburg City School students
Museum on the Move program at your facility
$40 minimum per program
(Covers up to 10 students. Each additional student is $4 per participant.)
On-site FAM Field Trip Program
$30 minimum per program
(Covers up to 10 students and 1 chaperone. Each additional student and chaperone are $3 per participant.)
Virtual Field Trip
$40 program fee
The Powhatan People
Early Adventurers will use their senses to learn about the Powhatan Indians. Incorporating artifacts and hands-on activities, students will learn about traditional Virginia Indian food ways, shelter, and clothing.
*These programs are offered virtually, on-site at FAM, or in your facility
The Powhatan People (K-5)
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. English SOLs: K.1a-f, 1.1.a-l, 2.1.a-e, 2.1.g, 2.1.h-i, 2.1.l-m, 3.1.a-h, 4.1.a-g, 5.1.a-h History and Social Studies SOLs: K.1.a, K.1.g, K.2.a, K.7, 1.1.a, 1.1.g, 1.3.a, 1.3.b, 1.6.a, 1.6.b, 1.8, 2.1.a, 2.1.g, 2.3.a, 2.4, 2.7.a, 2.8, VS.1.a, VS.1.b, VS.2.c, VS.2.e, VS.2.g, USI.1.a, USI.3.b, USI.3.c, USI.4b, Science SOLs: K.11.a, 1.8.a, 3.10.b, 4.9.a-d
Life in a Port Town: 18th-Century Fredericksburg (K-5)
What would life have been like in colonial Fredericksburg? Using interactive hands-on activities, this program teaches students about the development of Fredericksburg as a port town, the colonial marketplace, and residents. English SOLs: K.1.a-j, 1.1.a-h, 1.1.j-l, 2.1.a-j, 2.1.l, 3.1.a-h, 3.6.b, 3.6.d-j, 4.1.a-I, 4.6.b-e, 4.6.i, 5.1.a-h, 5.6.b-e History and Social Studies SOLs: K.1.a, K.1.g, K.7, K.8, K.9.a, K.9.b,.1.1a, 1.1g, 1.2.b, 1.6.b, 1.7, 1.8, 2.1.a, 2.1.g, 3.1a, 3.9, 3.10, VS.1a, VS.1g, VS.4d, VS.4e, USI.1a, USI.1g, USI.5b Mathematics SOLs: K1.a, K.1.b, K.2.a, K.2.b, 1.1.a, 1.6, 2.4.a, 2.4.b, 2.4.c, 3.2a, 3.3a, 4.2a, 4.3.d, 5.2.a, 5.2.b
Faces of The Civil War (4-5)
Explore the lives of soldiers and Fredericksburg civilians during the American Civil War. Students will utilize primary sources and artifacts to understand the war through personal experiences. English SOLs: 4.1.a-i, 4.6.b-e, 4.6.i, 5.1.a-h, 5.6.c-d, 5.6.g, 5.6.i, 5.6.i History and Social Studies SOLs: VS.1a, VS1d, VS1e, VS1g, VS.7b, VS.7c, USI.1a, USI.1c, USI.1e, USI.9a, USI.9e, USI.9f
Bridging the Past (K-5)
Explore the history, engineering and economic decisions behind Fredericksburg bridges. This program uses primary sources, and inquiry-based activities to further understand how and why bridges were built over the Rappahannock River. English SOLs: K.1a-f, 1.1.a-l, 2.1.a-e, 2.1.g, 2.1.h-i, 2.1.l-m, 3.1.a-h, 4.1.a-g, 5.1.a-h History and Social Studies SOLs: K.1.a-b, K.3, K.7, 2.1.a-b, 2.2, VS.1.a-b, USI.1. a-b, USI.8. d Mathematics SOLs: K.10.a, K.10.b, K.10.c, 1.11.a, 1.11.b, 3.12, 3.13, 4.11, 4.12, 5.13.a, 5.13.b Science: K.1.a-k, K.4.b, K.4.d, 1.1.a-j, 1.2.c, 2.1.a-m, 3.1.a-m, 3.3.a-c, 4.1.a-m, 5.1.a-k
Fredericksburg Underwater (2 -4)
Fredericksburg Underwater is a school program about the largest recorded flood in Fredericksburg’s history, the flood of 1942. By examining this local event, participants will learn about causes and effects of flooding as well as how rising water affects a community. English SOLs: 2.1a,g,h,j, 3.1a,c,g,h, 4.1, a-b, d-e History and Social Studies SOLs: 2.1a,f,i, 3.1f,i, VS.1a-b,f,i, Mathematics SOLs: 2.8, 3.7a, 4.8a Science SOLs: 2.1a, 2.6a-c, 2.7.a-c, 3.1a, 3.8c, 4.1a, 4.4a-c, 4.a
*This program is presented on-site at the FAM
Our Past, Our Present (K-12)
This guided museum tour explores the rich stories of the Fredericksburg region! FAM’s exhibits cover a wide variety of topics like local art, the colonial era, the Great Depression to the Civil Right Movement. Using primary sources, historic objects, and artwork, students will examine the area’s past and present. The Museum is happy to work with your group to create an exhibit tour that fits your class’s needs. Please plan this tour at least one month in advance to give staff appropriate time to prepare. SOLs will vary depending on grade level and topic of exhibits