Who were the ancient Egyptians? Explore objects from ancient Egypt to discover how the Egyptians lived and what they believed in this Interactive Exploration featuring works of art from the VMFA's collection.

This resource consists of background information on Egyptian geography and climate, Egyptian life and society, role of the pharaoh, the purposes of ancient art, the role of scribes, hieroglyphics, the afterlife and mummification, Nubia (Egypt's southern neighbor), comparisons/contrasts to art from other parts of Africa, and a discussion on the legacy of Egyptian art (Egyptomania).

Woven throughout the informational narrative are several different types of looking, thinking and learning activities, all of which call on students' observation and critical thinking skills as they closely examine selected art and artifacts. Reflection questions that encourage deep thinking are featured, along with clickable popups on images that further explain Egyptian art and society. Activities like "Look At This," "What's the Story," "Be the Scribe," will bring student engagement, reflection, and critical and creative thinking to any ancient Egypt lesson!

The Egyptian Barter Game is a lesson designed to get students active in the classroom while learning about Egyptian culture and the barter system. It is a card game (using homemade cards and other materials) which should be played more than once so students can consider their strategies used to barter their "haves" for their "needs." It should not be students' first introduction to Egyptian culture but should come after some exposure to what life was like in ancient Egypt. Addresses Virginia SOL: HSS.2.9, HSS.3.2, HSS.3.8, HSS.3.9

The Egyptian Barter Game is a lesson designed to get students active in the classroom while learning about Egyptian culture and the barter system. It is a card game (using homemade cards and other materials) which should be played more than once so students can consider their strategies used to barter their "haves" for their "needs." It should not be students' first introduction to Egyptian culture but should come after some exposure to what life was like in ancient Egypt. Addresses Virginia SOL: HSS.2.9, HSS.3.2, HSS.3.8, HSS.3.9

The Egyptian Barter Game is a lesson designed to get students active in the classroom while learning about Egyptian culture and the barter system. It is a card game (using homemade cards and other materials) which should be played more than once so students can consider their strategies used to barter their "haves" for their "needs." It should not be students' first introduction to Egyptian culture but should come after some exposure to what life was like in ancient Egypt. Addresses Virginia SOL: HSS.2.9, HSS.3.2, HSS.3.8, HSS.3.9

This activity is a creative way to assess or review the eight geographic regions of North America. It should be administered after all of the regions and their characteristics have been taught. Students will have a map that outlines all eight regions. Then, they are tasked to pick from a variety of foods to represent each region.

The Eighth Avenue trolley, New York City, sharing the street with horse-drawn produce wagon and an open automobile. Downtown, looking north (1904)

The most democratic body in the federal government, hundreds of representatives for the House are elected every other year. This site maps elections from before the Civil War until today showing changing patterns across regions and between urban and rural areas.

This is a description of the primary system and the caucus system. This is how candidates are selected to run in elections.
*Remixed to add questions for students.

This is a description of the primary system and the caucus system. This is how candidates are selected to run in elections.
*Remixed to add questions for students.

This is a description of the primary system and the caucus system. This is how candidates are selected to run in elections. Remix made to make it easier to understand.

 After explaining the process of the Electoral College, this is an extension activity for students to help them apply that knowledge in a mock Presidential race.  Students will pair up with another student and create a candidate and party (or just simply use their name/party).  In competing against one another, they will roll the dice for each of the 50 states (plus DC) to see who wins the electoral votes for that state.  At the end, students will tally up the total electoral votes to see who made it to 270 or more!  Remember to have them check their math by adding their totals to make sure they have 538.  Additionally students will tally their dice roll which will simulate the popular vote and allow for students to see potentially a candidate win the popular vote, but lose the election.  This is a great simulation to cover what the winner-take-all system looks like.   

This module is designed to guide students in better understanding what electricity is and how it works by investigating electrical circuits.  The teacher will facilitate students' explorations as they use scientific terms to generate a summary of their experiences.  Throughout this unit, students will be guided in using practical materials such as wires, batteries, switches and light bulbs to better understand how electricity behaves in open and closed circuits. This module was developed by Stephanie Hooks as part of a Virginiga Commonwealth Universtiy STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

This module is designed to guide students in better understanding what electricity is and how it works by investigating electrical circuits.  The teacher will facilitate students' explorations as they use scientific terms to generate a summary of their experiences.  Throughout this unit, students will be guided in using practical materials such as wires, batteries, switches and light bulbs to better understand how electricity behaves in open and closed circuits. This module was developed by Stephanie Hooks as part of a Virginiga Commonwealth Universtiy STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

Play hockey with electric charges. Place charges on the ice, then hit start to try to get the puck in the goal. View the electric field. Trace the puck's motion. Make the game harder by placing walls in front of the goal. This is a clone of the popular simulation of the same name marketed by Physics Academic Software and written by Prof. Ruth Chabay of the Dept of Physics at North Carolina State University.

Set the amount and type of charge on particles and compare the potential energy of the electric field that is generated.

Set the charge of two particles and compare the potential energy of the electric field they generate as the particles are moved around.