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 inquiry leads students to examine the ways that African Americans were leading voices in an ongoing effort to guarantee equal rights and freedoms for all people in the United States. Contrary to the oft repeated narrative that the US Government benevolently granted freedoms to African Americans, the questions, tasks, and sources in this inquiry ask students to look at ways African Americans were active leaders in working for those rights and freedoms. The tasks completed under each supporting question help the student to investigate the scope and depth of the African American voices working towards equal rights before the Civil War through the Reconstruction and after.  Students will learn of federal government actions taken to support the voices working for rights and freedoms as well as actions taken against those efforts.   An analysis of sources help students to investigate the economic, political and social gains African Americans made during and after Reconstruction.  Students will also look at the efforts that former Confederate states took to limit African American rights that had been guaranteed them by the US Constitution. By completing this inquiry, students will gain a deeper understanding that hard-won rights and freedoms can still be denied if the power to enforce them is held by someone else. 

Summary report of a three-day event in which teachers participated in both classroom instruction and a field experience that focused on urban geography topics such as city models, resiliency in the midst of climate change and deindustrialization, climate justice, and 21st century urban renewal projects.

This inquiry focuses on why enslaved people resisted slavery, the ways in which enslaved people showed resistance despite risks and the results of resistance.The questions, tasks, and sources in this inquiry asks students to examine the cultural, economic and political impacts of resistance to slavery.

Summary of three-day event centered on Southside Virginia that involved both classroom instruction and a field experience focused on curriculum topics such as regional cultural identity, sense of place, economic development models/approaches, and agritourism ; skills such as formal observation, data collection, landscape analysis, speculation and spatial analysis; and processes such as cultural diffusion, migration, deindustrialization, economic restructuring, and globalization. A field guide was developed by academy co-coordinator Shannon Castelo to provide teachers with materials and examples of teaching activities they can incorporate into their classroom instruction.

Summary of three-day event in which teachers participated in classroom instruction and field experiences that focused on regional cultural identity, folk cultures, language and dialects, economic development, mining and resource extraction, environmental determinism, possibilism, and human development indicators; skills such as formal observation, data collection, landscape analysis, speculation and spatial analysis; and processes such as cultural diffusion, migration, deindustrialization, economic restructuring, and globalization. Many links to resources.

Theme: Las identidades públicas y privadas / Community: Chile / These Modules are products of a collaboration dedicated to combining resources to create Modules for Spanish AP for face-to-face and online instruction that can be used easily by any teacher, regardless of experience.The modules are designed for consistency and contain four main proficiency-based tasks along with a vocab-builder task, using the tabs across the top. All other items link to tasks that can be used as needed. There are 12 assignments/resources in each Module to choose from.The tasks focus on skills that are needed for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, such as making a cultural comparison, citing sources, and replying to an email. There are multiple ideas for discussion to practice conversation and interpersonal communication.

Theme: Los desafíos mundiales / Community: Chile / These Modules are products of a collaboration dedicated to combining resources to create Modules for Spanish AP for face-to-face and online instruction that can be used easily by any teacher, regardless of experience.The modules are designed for consistency and contain four main proficiency-based tasks along with a vocab-builder task, using the tabs across the top. All other items link to tasks that can be used as needed. There are 12 assignments/resources in each Module to choose from.The tasks focus on skills that are needed for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, such as making a cultural comparison, citing sources, and replying to an email. There are multiple ideas for discussion to practice conversation and interpersonal communication.

Theme: Las ciencias y la tecnología / Community: Puerto RIco / These Modules are products of a collaboration dedicated to combining resources to create Modules for Spanish AP for face-to-face and online instruction that can be used easily by any teacher, regardless of experience.The modules are designed for consistency and contain four main proficiency-based tasks along with a vocab-builder task, using the tabs across the top. All other items link to tasks that can be used as needed. There are 12 assignments/resources in each Module to choose from.The tasks focus on skills that are needed for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, such as making a cultural comparison, citing sources, and replying to an email. There are multiple ideas for discussion to practice conversation and interpersonal communication.

Theme: Los desafíos mundiales / Community: Venezuela / These Modules are products of a collaboration dedicated to combining resources to create Modules for Spanish AP for face-to-face and online instruction that can be used easily by any teacher, regardless of experience.The modules are designed for consistency and contain four main proficiency-based tasks along with a vocab-builder task, using the tabs across the top. All other items link to tasks that can be used as needed. There are 12 assignments/resources in each Module to choose from.The tasks focus on skills that are needed for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, such as making a cultural comparison, citing sources, and replying to an email. There are multiple ideas for discussion to practice conversation and interpersonal communication.

The 7 Cups and VBCPS Growth PathsPersonalized Growth Paths contain activities made for those dealing with a certain situation. It helps a person understand what they are dealing with and self-heal with activities that are expertly compiled.There is also a “gamified” element to the Paths. Students complete “Steps” to fill their cups and move ahead on their chosen path.You can find slides, videos, PlayPosit playlist here or the Teen Being Growth Path on 7 Cups as well with a free membership.

The 7 Cups and VBCPS Growth PathsPersonalized Growth Paths contain activities made for those dealing with a certain situation. It helps a person understand what they are dealing with and self-heal with activities that are expertly compiled.There is also a “gamified” element to the Paths. Students complete “Steps” to fill their cups and move ahead on their chosen path.You can find docs, slides, and videos here or the Time Management Growth Path on 7 Cups as well with a free membership.

Summary of three-day event for AP Human Geography teachers. Topics included sense of place, location, sequent occupancy, infrastructure development, eminent domain, ethnic identification, urban planning, technopoles; skills such as formal observation, data collection, landscape analysis, speculation and spatial analysis; and processes such as diffusion, urbanization, revitalization, acculturation, immigration, and integration.

These short videos are approximately five minutes long and are intended to provide a quick look at implementing a particular strategy. The How To videos provide a short description of the topic with real life video examples of how to implement the evidence-based practice in the classroom with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The PDF map lists museums of Virginia by the region in which they can be found.

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 inquiry focuses on understanding how the Kingdom of Mali became a center of wealth in West Africa. The questions, tasks, and sources in this inquiry asks students to analyze a variety of primary and secondary sources to determine the most important factor for generating wealth in Mali: geography, trade, or religion. 

Entomologist Dr. Art Evans and VPM radio producer Steve Clark co-host What’s Bugging You? Their engaging, wide-ranging, and humorous explorations into the world of insects and entomology are presented as an animated series. It leans into the crazy, fun, and hilarious aspects of the insect world. It asks the question of when is a bug a true bug. How do I find those insects hiding in plain sight? What in the world is a booger beetle and a fecal shield? All these answers and more are uncovered in the new videos through artfully illustrated and accurate depictions of insects and their surroundings.

Each video captures the look of a field notebook, with handwritten observations and illustrations. Inspired by entomologists' collections, animator David Vinson shares, “I wanted the labels to have typewritten and handwritten text like you would see in a case of pinned insect specimens with notes and scientific names. As for the insects themselves, I wanted them to have the illustrative quality of a field guide. Even though it was all created digitally, I still wanted it to look like the elements could have been made by hand.”

Whether you love insects or you just don’t know you love them yet, we think you’ll enjoy this series. Not only is it fun, gross, weird, and strange, but it’s also educational and entertaining. You’ll learn more about the insects that are all around us as you stop and wonder “what’s bugging you?”