How the Monuments Came Down explores the complex history of Richmond, Virginia through the lens of Confederate monuments, supported by an extensive visual record never before presented in a single work.

Through personal stories from descendants and history-makers, the film uncovers how Confederate monuments came to shape Richmond’s landscape and why protestors demanded they come down.

In this collection, you will find film clips and learning resources designed to engage students with primary sources found in the film. These curriculum resources were written by Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year and a 20-year veteran of Richmond Public Schools. For a PDF version of the guide, with extension activities, visit vpm.org/monuments.

How the Monuments Came Down is a production of Field Studio, in association with VPM.

This is a description of voting on a national level. It will Identify ways the U.S. government has promoted voter rights and registration. It will also analyze the factors that typically affect a voter’s decision.

This is part of a series of lessons commissioned by the Democracy Project at the University of Virginia centered around the podcast Democracy in Danger.Democracy in Danger  lessons share some basic characteristics.   In each of these inquiries, the explicit or implicit question is, “What should we do about .. “ because that is an essential question we must ask of all of our citizens.   Additionally,  Democracy in Danger lessons  will lead students through a problem analysis characterized by the 4A approach (assses the problem, analyze the causes and effects of the problem, address  potential solutions to the problem, act on a potential solution.   We hope to make this type of problem analysis process a routine that young people can transfer to any new challenge that we face in our democracy and that it will pave the way for healthy deliberation with their fellow students, to collaboratively act together, and to forge healthy civic friendships that will strengthen our democracy. 

This is a description of voting on a national level. It will Identify ways the U.S. government has promoted voter rights and registration. It will also analyze the factors that typically affect a voter’s decision.
*Remixed to include questions (and answer key) to reinforce students' understanding of the text.

This is a description of voting on a national level. It will Identify ways the U.S. government has promoted voter rights and registration. It will also analyze the factors that typically affect a voter’s decision. Remix made to make it easier to understand.

This learning experience explores one of the tenets and demonstrations of citizenship by exploring the legacy of voting in the United States, including who was allowed to vote, and who was not, as well as actions for students to take when they recognize unfairness.

Students will compare and contrast four petitions (primary sources) in favor of woman suffrage to identify reasons why women wanted the right to vote.