Find downloadable PDFs of lesson plans below. Each lesson plan contains background information for teachers on the selected topic, activity instructions, a student worksheet, and discussion questions. Additional lesson plans will be posted on this page as they become available. 

LessonGrade LevelSOLsDescription
The King’s Instructions

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3–5VS.1, VS.2, VS.3, VS.4;
English 3.4, 3.6, 4.4, 4.6, 5.4, 5.6  
Students will compare and contrast early historical documents with archaeological evidence to gain understanding of events at Jamestown. 
What is an Artifact?: Thinking like an Archaeologist

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3–5VS.1, VS.2, VS.4;
Scientific Investigation 3.1, 4.1, 5.1
Students will use grocery receipts to understand the concept of material culture and interpret objects as an archaeologist would.
Reading the Trees

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3–5VS.1, VS.2, VS.3, VS.4;
Science 3.1, 3.6, 3.10, 4.1, 4.5, 4.9, 5.1;
Math 3.3, 3.7, 3.16, 4.4, 4.8, 4.15, 5.4, 5.18
Students will learn about the scientific technique of dendrochronology and what it can reveal about James Fort’s early years. 
Art and ARTifacts

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4–6VS.1, VS.2, VS.3, VS.4;
English 4.4, 4.6, 5.4, 5.6, 6.4, 6.6
Students will compare and contrast historical artwork with artifacts found at Jamestown to understand how art can provide insight on daily life at the fort.
Finds in the Cellar

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5-7VS.1, VS.2, VS.3, VS.4;
Math 5.4, 5.8, 5.18, 6.5, 6.7,
6.10, 7.2, 7.3, 7.9
Students will map and analyze archaeological finds using tables and graphs.
Then and Now: Daily Life in James Fort

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3-5VS.1, VS.2, VS.3, VS.4;
English 3.4, 3.6, 4.4, 4.6, 5.4, 5.6
Students will compare and contrast primary sources with archaeological evidence. Uses the Digital reDiscovery virtual tour resources.
“And Divers Others”: The Early Occupants of Jamestown

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7-12VS.1, VS.2, VS.3, VS.4; English 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 12.5Students will compare and contrast primary sources with archaeological evidence. Uses the Digital reDiscovery virtual tour resources.