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Virginia StudiesHCPS Curriculum Framework/Based on the 2001 SOLs

Grade 4 (1607 to Pre-Civil War)

Henrico County Public Schools3820 Nine Mile Road

Richmond, Virginia 23223

Based on the 2001 Curriculum Framework Document/Virginia Department of Education ©August, 2001 Henrico County Public Schools (Refreshed: July 2005)Lesson Plans, Assessments, a Curriculum Organizer, and a Database of Resource Materials are located in the Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4 Social Studies Toolbox for Instruction. 1

STANDARD VS.1a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

The student will develop skills for historical and geographical analysis including the ability toa) identify and interpret artifacts and primary and secondary source documents to understand events in history;b) determine cause and effect relationships;c) compare and contrast historical events;d) draw conclusions and make generalizations;e) make connections between past and present;f) sequence events in Virginia history;g) interpret ideas and events from different historical perspectives;h) evaluate and discuss issues orally and in writing;i) analyze and interpret maps to explain relationships among landforms, water features, climatic characteristics, and historical events.

The skills identified in Standard VS.1a-i are cited in the “Essential Skills” column for each chart for Virginia Studies with the exception of “h”(evaluate and discuss issues orally and in writing). Students should have opportunities to practice speaking and writing, but these skills will not beassessed on the Standards of Learning test. All other skills will be assessed on the Standards of Learning test. Teachers should incorporate theseskills into instruction throughout the year.

To All Grade 4 Teachers: The history of Henrico County from 1607-1781 should be taught through Virginia Studies. For a comprehensivestudy guide of Henrico County, please refer to the 3-ring teacher resource binder entitled, The History of HenricoCounty. Each fourth grade teacher should have a copy. Please check the school’s file server for pictures/slides takenthroughout Henrico County.


STANDARD VS.2a Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the geography and early inhabitants of Virginia bya) locating Virginia and its bordering states on maps of the United States.Reporting Category: Geography

Essential Understandings Essential Questions Essential Knowledge Essential Skills

Locations of places can bedescribed in relative terms.

What are some ways that relativelocation can be described?

What large bodies of water borderVirginia?

What states border Virginia?

Terms to Know•relative location: the location of a place or region in relation to

other places or regions

Relative LocationRelative location may be described using terms that showconnections between two places such as “next to,” “near,” and“bordering.”

Bordering bodies of water• Atlantic Ocean• Chesapeake Bay

Bordering states• Maryland• West Virginia• Tennessee• Kentucky• North Carolina

Analyze and interpretmaps to explainrelationships amonglandforms, waterfeatures, climaticcharacteristics, andhistorical events.(VS.1i)


STANDARD VS.2b Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the geography and early inhabitants of Virginia byb) locating and describing Virginia’s Coastal Plain (Tidewater), Piedmont, Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau.Reporting Category: Geography


Geographic regions havedistinctive characteristics.

Virginia can be divided into fivegeographic regions.

What are the fivegeographic regions inVirginia?

How do the geographicregions of Virginia differ?

Where are the geographicregions of Virginialocated?

Terms to Know•Fall Line: the natural border between the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) and Piedmont

Regions, where waterfalls prevent further travel on the river and where the land rises sharply

•plateau: an area of elevated land that is flat on top

Geographic Regions• Coastal Plain (Tidewater)

– Flat land– Located near the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay (includes Eastern Shore)– East of the Fall Line

• Piedmont– Rolling hills and land at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains– Located between the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) Region and Blue Ridge

Mountains– West of the Fall Line

• Blue Ridge Mountains– Old, rounded mountains– Part of the Applachian Mountains– Located between the Piedmont and Valley and Ridge Regions– Source of many rivers

• Valley and Ridge– Includes the Great Valley of Virginia and other valleys separated by ridges

(The Blue Ridge Mountains and the Valley and Ridge Regions are part of theAppalachian Mountain system.)

– Located west of the Blue Ridge Mountains

• Appalachian Plateau– Only a small part of the plateau is located in far, southwest Virginia.

Analyze andinterpret maps toexplain relationshipsamong landforms,water features,climaticcharacteristics, andhistorical events.(VS.1i)


STANDARD VS.2c Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the geography and early inhabitants of Virginia byc) locating and identifying water features important to the early history of Virginia (Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, James River, York River, Potomac

River, and Rappahannock River).Reporting Category: Geography


Water features were important tothe early history of Virginia.

Many early Virginia citiesdeveloped along the Fall Line, thenatural border between theCoastal Plain (Tidewater) andPiedmont Regions where the landrises sharply and where thewaterfalls prevent further travelon the river.

Rivers flow downhill to the sea.

The four major rivers that flowinto the Chesapeake Bay areseparated by peninsulas.

The Chesapeake Bay separatesthe Eastern Shore from themainland of Virginia.

What is a peninsula?

Which water features wereimportant to the earlyhistory of Virginia?

How did water featuresinfluence the developmentof Virginia?

How did the flow of riversaffect the settlement ofVirginia?

Where is the Eastern Shorelocated?

Terms to Know• peninsula: a piece of land borderd by water on three sides

Water Features• Atlantic Ocean

– Provided transportation links between Virginia and other places (e.g.,Europe, Africa, Caribbean)

• Chesapeake Bay– Provided a safe harbor– A source of food and transportation

• James River– Flows into the Chesapeake Bay– Richmond and Jamestown are located along the James River.

• York River– Flows into the Chesapeake Bay– Yorktown is located along the York River.

• Potomac River– Flows into the Chesapeake Bay– Alexandria is located along the Potomac River.

• Rappahannock River– Flows into the Chesapeake Bay– Fredericksburg is located along the Rappahannock River.

Each river was a source of food and provided a pathway for explorationand the settlement of Virginia.

The Eastern Shore is a peninsula bordered by the Chesapeake Bay to thewest and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

Determine cause andeffect relationships.(VS.1b)

Compare and contrasthistorical events.(VS.1c)

Draw conclusions andmake generalizations.(VS.1d)



STANDARD VS.2d Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the geography and early inhabitants of Virginia byd) locating three American Indian (First American) language groups (the Algonquian, the Siouan, and the Iroquoian) on a map of Virginia.Reporting Category: Geography


American Indians (FirstAmericans) were the first peoplewho lived in Virginia.

American Indians (FirstAmericans) lived in all areas ofVirginia.

There were three major languagegroups in Virginia.

Why were the first peopleof America called Indians?

What evidence is there thatAmerican Indians (FirstAmericans) lived in allareas of Virginia?

What were the three majorlanguage groups found inVirginia, and where waseach located?

Christopher Columbus called the people in the lands he discovered “Indians”,because he thought he was in the Indies (near China).

Artifacts, such as arrowheads, pottery, and other tools that have been found, tell agreat deal about the first people who lived in Virginia.

(The American Indians (First Americans) who lived in Virginia can be describedaccording to the language they spoke. A language group is like a family oflanguages. Although the languages by individual tribes and cultures may differ, alllanguages within a language group share common characteristics and have acommon parent language.)

Three Major Language Groups in Virginia• Algonquian was spoken primarily in the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) Region.

The Powhatans were a member of this group. The Powhatan tribes raisedmaize, beans, squash, sunflowers and tobacco. They hunted and fished. TheIndian Chief Powhatan consolidated some thirty Algonquian groups to form aPowhatan chiefdom. More than thirteen thousand people loyal to Powhatanlived in the 6,000 square mile chiefdom.

• Siouan was spoken primarily in the Piedmont Region. The Monacans were amember of this group. The women gardened and gathered nuts, berries, andother food. They grew corn, beans, squash, and other crops. The women madehousehold goods out of wood, bone, animal skins, and other available naturalresources. Men hunted, fished, and fought in wars.

• Iroquoian was spoken in southwestern Virginia and in southern Virginia nearwhat is today North Carolina. The Cherokee were part of this group. TheCherokee lived in small communities, usually located on fertile landsalongside the rivers. Homes were made of wooden frames covered with wovenvines and saplings plastered with mud. These were replaced in later yearswith log structures. The Cherokee society was a matriarchy. The children tookthe clan of the mother, and kinship was traced through the mother’s family.Women had an equal voice in the affairs of the tribe. Each village had acouncil house where ceremonies and tribal meetings were held using ademocratic process.



STANDARD VS.2e Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the geography and early inhabitants of Virginia bye) describing how American Indians (First Americans) adapted to the climate and their environment to secure food, clothing, and shelter.Reporting Category: Geography


Virginia’s American Indians(First Americans) interacted withthe climate and their environmentto meet their basic needs.

The climate in Virginia isrelatively mild with distinctseasons – Spring, Summer, Fall,and Winter – resulting in a varietyof vegetation.

The kinds of food they ate, theclothing they wore, and theshelters they had, depended uponthe region of Virginia where theylived.

What are somecharacteristics ofVirginia’s climate?

What are some waysVirginia’s AmericanIndians (First Americans)adapted to the climate andinteracted with theirenvironment to meet theirbasic needs?

Climate in Virginia• Four seasons

– Spring: mild temperatures with rain showers– Summer: hot and relatively dry– Fall: cool with rain– Winter: cold with snow and ice in some areas, rain in other areas

• Vegetation– Forests, which have a variety of trees, cover most of the land in

Virginia. Many of Virginia’s American Indians are referred to asEastern Woodland Indians.

Adaptation to the Environment/Basic Needs• Food changed with the seasons.

– Spring: dug for clams, fished, picked berries– Summer: grew crops (beans, corn, squash)– Fall: harvested and prepared some of the crops for winter storage– Winter: hunted birds and animals, such as deer, squirrel, rabbit, and

wild turkey

• Clothing– It depended on the season and activity as to how much clothing

they wore. The young children may not have worn anything if theylived where the weather was warm. Animal skins (deerskins) wereused for clothing. For garments in winter, they also made cloaks offeathers and furs.

– They wore decorations made from natural objects, such as shells,animal claws, and pearls.

• Shelter was made from materials around them.– Sometimes they made one-room houses out of saplings tied

together with cordage or rope and covered with reed mats or bark.They could be taken apart and carried from place to place.


Draw conclusionsand makegeneralizations.(VS1.d)

Interpret ideas andevents from differenthistoricalperspectives. (VS.1g)




The student will demonstrate knowledge of the first permanent English settlement in America bya) explaining the reasons for English colonization.Reporting Category: History


Some European countries,including England, were incompetition to increase theirwealth and power by expandingtheir territories to America.

The first permanent Englishsettlement in America wasJamestown, founded in 1607, asan economic venture.

What were the reasons forEnglish colonization inAmerica?

For what reasons did theJamestown settlers cometo America?

Reasons for English Colonization in AmericaIn 1606, King James I issued a charter authorizing a group of investors toform the Virginia Company of London to settle colonists in North Americaas an economic venture. The Virginia Company of London established theVirginia Colony to increase England’s wealth and power.

A Council, appointed by King James I, was to direct the enterprise fromEngland with a second Council of settlers making the decisions at thatsettlement. The English also hoped that Virginia could be a base formissionary activities among the Indian people and a source of gold, silver,and raw materials that the English could not grow or easily obtain. This isturn would open new markets for trade.

Jamestown: First Permanent English Settlement in North AmericaJamestown was primarily an economic venture. The stockholders of theVirginia Company of London financed the settlement of Jamestown.In 1607, aboard the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery, 104English men and boys reached the Virginia coast. They passed betweenCape Charles and Cape Henry into the Chesapeake Bay. They sailed up theJames River and stepped ashore at “James Citie” or the present dayJamestown.

The explorer credited for this exploration was Captain ChristopherNewport. The person credited for the beginning of the first permanentEnglish settlement at Jamestown was Captain John Smith.



Interpret ideas andevents from differenthistorical perspectives.(VS.1g)




The student will demonstrate knowledge of the first permanent English settlement in America byb) describing how geography influenced the decision to settle at Jamestown.Reporting Category: Geography


Location and physicalcharacteristics influenced thedecision to settle at Jamestown.

Where is Jamestown located?

Why did the settlers choose thesite at Jamestown?

What were the advantages anddisadvantages of the Jamestownsite?

On April 26, 1607, three small ships (Susan Constant, Godspeed,and the Discovery) passed between Cape Charles and Cape Henryinto the Chesapeake Bay for the purpose of beginning a permanentEnglish colony in the land called Virginia. Captain ChristopherNewport and the other voyagers took seventeen days to investigatethe advantages and disadvantages of the region for such anundertaking.

First consideration for selecting the site were its possibilities fordefense against enemies from both land and sea. The second mostimportant factor for consideration were adequate harbor facilities.The water along the shore had to be deep enough for ships to dock.They also had to find a good supply of fresh drinking water.

The English chose a small, narrow peninsula to build theirJamestown fort. The James River bordered Jamestown on threesides. (Today, Jamestown is located on an island in the JamesRiver.)

The site, while easy to defend by Spanish attack from the sea,initially turned out to be a poor choice. It was low and swampy,making it the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes that carrieddiseases such as malaria. By the end of the summer, nearly half ofthe men were dead or dying from fever.

Few of the settlers knew how to farm or had the skills necessary tosurvive in the wilderness. Crops were not planted in time for winter,and if not for some friendly Powhatan Indians who shared theircorn, the settlers would have starved.

Determine cause andeffect relaitonships.(VS.1b)


Draw conclusions andmake generalizations.(VS.1.d)





The student will demonstrate knowledge of the first permanent English settlement in America byc) identifying the importance of the charters of the Virginia Company of London in establishing the Jamestown settlement.Reporting Category: Civics


The King of England had thepower to grant and revokecharters allowing the VirginiaCompany of London to establish asettlement in North America.

The charters of the VirginiaCompany of London authorizedthe establishment of colonies,allowed for the establishment of arepresentative government, andextended English rights to thecolonists.

What was the importanceof the charters of theVirginia Company ofLondon to the Jamestownsettlement?

The charters of the Virginia Company of London were granted by theKing of England giving the right (permission) to establish settlementsin North America/the New World.

•First Charter: Authorized the establishment of coloniesIn 1606, the First Charter of the Virginia Company of London establishedcompanies to begin colonies in North America/the New World.

•Second Charter: Allowed for a representative form of governmentIn 1609, the Second Charter of the Virginia Company of Londonenvisioned two colonies in the New World: one in Jamestown and one tothe north (Citie of Henricus).

•Citie of HenricusIn 1611, four years after Christopher Newport’s early explorations, SirThomas Dale left Jamestown to establish a settlement upriver. Relationswith the Indians had steadily deteriorated since 1607, and Dale’s companysuffered constant attacks. The company finally came to a peninsula on thenorth side of the James River, now Farrar’s Island, where Dale establishedthe colony’s second English settlement, “Henricus,” known also as the cityor town of “Henrico.” In just four months, the “Citie” grew to a fortifiedsettlement. Frame houses lined three streets. The men also built a woodenchurch, a brick foundation for a permanent church, storehouses,watchtowers, and huts.

•Third Charter: Extended English rights to colonistsIn 1612, the Third Charter of the Virginia Company of London providedthat company affairs be managed both by the treasurer and the Council by amajority vote at quarterly meetings of the stockholders. The Third Charterremained in force until May, 1624 when the Virginia Company of Londondissolved and Virginia became a Royal Colony.

Identify and interpretartifacts and primaryand secondary sourcedocuments tounderstand events inhistory. (VS.1a)


Make connectionsbetween past andpresent. (VS.1e)

Sequence events inVirginia history.(VS.1f)




The student will demonstrate knowledge of the first permanent English settlement in America byd) identifying the importance of the Virginia Assembly (1619) as the first representative legislative body in English America.Reporting Category: Civics


As Jamestown grew, the system ofgovernment evolved.

The Virginia (General) Assemblywas the first elected legislativebody in America.

What was this system ofgovernment called?

What was the VirginiaHouse of Burgesses, andwhy was it important?

System of GovernmentIn 1618, the Virginia Company of London authorized the popularelection of representatives from eleven different areas of settlement tomeet with Governor George Yeardly and the Governor’s Council tosuggest solutions to the problems of Virginia’s rapidly developingsociety. (The Governor’s Council was composed of about a dozenprominent colonial plantation owners, appointed by Crown authority.)

In 1619, Governor Yeardly called a meeting of the Virginia Assembly.The Assembly included two citizen representatives (called “burgesses”)from each of the divisions of Virginia. (These citizen representativeswere elected by the settlers. At that time, only English men wereconsidered citizens.) These representatives later became known as theVirginia House of Burgesses. Also included in this meeting were theGovernor’s Council and the Governor.

The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first elected legislative(representative) body in the colony and in English America. This wasan important step in beginning the foundation of American democracy.

After 1625, the Virginia House of Burgesses began managing all of thecolony’s affairs. Through this legislative body, the settlers had theopportunity to control their own government for the first time. TheVirginia House of Burgesses followed English law, acted on all taxlaws, and made other laws. By the 1640s, the Virginia House ofBurgesses became a separate legislative body of the General Assemblyof Virginia.

Today it is still called the General Assembly of Virginia and is the oldestrepresentative legislative body in the western hemisphere.






STANDARD VS.3e Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the first permanent English settlement in America bye) identifying the importance of the arrival of Africans and women to the Jamestown settlement.Reporting Category: History


Jamestown became a more diversecolony by 1620.

What was the impact of thearrival of the Africanpeople to the Jamestownsettlement?

What was the impact of thearrival of women to theJamestown settlement?

Terms to Know•cash crop: a crop that is grown to sell for money rather than for use by the growers•indentured servants: settlers who came to the colony to work for a predetermined

number of years to pay for their passage•natural resources: water, soil, wood, coal, air, sun•human resources: people at work•capital resources: goods made (manufactured) by people and used to produce other

goods and services

In 1614, John Rolfe experimented with different types of tobacco plants andshipped Virginia’s first cash crop of tobacco to England. It became a hugesuccess, making Jamestown a boomtown. The settlers could not keep upwith the demand.

During the summer of 1619, a Dutch man-of-war ship landed at PointComfort (downstream from Jamestown) carrying 20 persons of Africandescent. It is believed that they arrived as baptized Christians and thereforewere labeled indentured servants for a period of 5 to 7 years. Although thefirst person of African descent recorded was “bought” by Governor Yeardleyand a merchant, it remains uncertain whether or not they were enslaved orwere considered indentured servants. None of the Africans arrived with thepapers of indenture that the English servants brought with them fromEngland, which left them vulnerable to exploitation. The cultivation oftobacco, Virginia’s first successful cash crop, boosted the economy andquickly became dependent upon a large force of African slaves.

In 1620, the Virginia Company of London sent 90 unmarried English womento the colony. Their presence enabled the settlers to marry and to beginfamilies. The women also increased the quality of life for the men bycooking better meals, sewing clothes, and taking care of the sick. TheJamestown colony offered the English women greater economic mobility andslightly more freedom than they had in England at that time.


Draw conclusionsand makegeneralizations.(VS.1d)


Interpret ideas andevents from differenthistoricalperspectives. (VS.1g)


STANDARD VS.3f Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the first permanent English settlement in America byf) describing the hardships faced by settlers at Jamestown and the changes that took place to ensure survival.Reporting Category: History


The English colonists found lifein Jamestown harder than theyhad expected.

Good leadership was critical tothe survival of the Jamestowncolony.

What hardships did theJamestown settlers face?

Who provided leadershipnecessary to help Jamestownsurvive and grow?

What changes took place toensure survival?

Hardships Faced by the SettlersFrom 1606 to 1609, Jamestown was a struggling outpost with littledirection and support from the Virginia Company of London. Themarshy land surrounding the settlement usually flooded during the timesof high water. This flooding caused the lack of safe drinking water.

In addition to this stretch of land, there were about eight hundred andfifty acres of heavily timbered forestlands around Jamestown, and abouteight hundred acres of marsh covered with coarse, reedy grasses. Therewas no cleared land ready for seeding. The settlers lacked some of theskills necessary to provide for themselves and many settlers died ofstarvation and disease.

LeadershipCaptain John Smith continued to provide leadership and worked withthe Powhatan Indians to provide corn for the starving settlers. Thearrival of two supply ships, the forced work program, the strongleadership of Captain John Smith, and the emphasis on self-sustainingagriculture ensured survival of the colony.

Changes that Ensured SurvivalSettlers soon learned how to live off America’s rich resources. Farmingbecame the most important way of life. Since the Coastal Plain(Tidewater) Region of Virginia had plenty of rich soil, farmersproduced plenty of food. In addition to growing corn and wheat, theyraised livestock.







STANDARD VS.3g Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the first permanent English settlement in America byg) describing the interactions between the English settlers and the Powhatan people, including the contributions of the Powhatans to the survival of the

settlers.Reporting Category: History


The Powhatan Indians and theEnglish settlers at Jamestownestablished trading relationships,and for a while had positiveinteractions.

The Powhatan Indians taught theJamestown settlers ways tosurvive in Virginia.

The relationship between theJamestown settlers and thePowhatan Indians becameincreasingly strained over time.

How did the Powhatan peopleand English settlers interact?

How did the Powhatan peoplehelp the Jamestown settlerssurvive?

Why did the relationshipbetween the Jamestownsettlers and the PowhatanIndians become strained?

Captain John Smith initiated trading relationships with the Powhatanpeople. The Powhatans traded food, furs, and leather with the English inexchange for tools, pots, weapons, and other capital resources.

The Powhatan people contributed to the survival of the Jamestownsettlers in several ways.• Chief Powhatan sent his daughter, Pocahontas, to meet the colonists

on behalf of his tribe. She believed the English and Indians couldlive in harmony.

• Pocahontas began a friendship with the colonists that helped themsurvive.

• The Powhatans introduced new crops to the English, including cornand Indian tobacco.

The Powhatan people realized that the English settlement wouldcontinue to grow. The Powhatans saw the settlers as invaders, as theywere beginning to take over their lands.







The student will demonstrate knowledge of life in the Virginia colony bya) explaining the importance of agriculture and its influence on the institution of slavery.Reporting Category: Economics


The temperate climate of Virginiamade it well-suited for agriculture.

The success of tobacco as a cashcrop transformed life in theVirginia colony and encouragedthe institution of slavery.

What effect did agriculturehave on the Virginia colony?

How did agriculture in theVirginia colony influence theinstitution of slavery?

Terms to Know•cash crop: a crop that is grown to sell for money rather than for use

by the growers•consumer: a person who uses (consumes) goods and services•producer: a person who uses (produces) resources to make goods

and/or provide services•goods: touchable things/items people make or use to satisfy needs

and wants•services: activities that satisfy people’s needs and wants

The economy of the Virginia colony depended on agriculture as aprimary source of wealth. Tobacco became the most profitableagricultural product and was sold to England as a cash crop.

The successful planting of tobacco depended on a reliable andinexpensive source of labor. The planting of tobacco, Virginia’s firstsuccessful economic base, quickly became dependent upon a largeforce of African slaves. Large numbers of African people werebrought to the colony against their will to work as slaves on theplantations. The Virginia colony became dependent on slave labor,and the dependence lasted a long time.







The student will demonstrate knowledge of life in the Virginia colony byb) describing how European (English, Scotch-Irish, German) immigrants, Africans, and American Indians (First Americans) influenced the cultural landscape

and changed the relationship between the Virginia colony and England.Reporting Category: History


Cultural landscapes reflect beliefs,customs, and architecture of peopleliving in those areas.

Although a colony of England,Virginia developed a uniqueculture different from that ofEngland.

How do cultural landscapesreflect beliefs, customs, andarchitecture of people?

Where did the variouscultural groups settle?

How did the relationshipbetween the Virginia colonyand England change overtime?

By the middle of the 1600s, people from Europe were coming intoNorth America by the thousands. Some were seeking religiousfreedom, others came in search of wealth, and others in hope of a betterlife. The colonies usually offered a better way of life for the Europeanswho chose to come. The beliefs, customs, and architecture of Europealso came with them.

Cultural LandscapesWhenever people settle an area, they change the landscape to reflect thebeliefs, customs, and architecture of their cultures. Examples of culturallandscapes include different types of buildings that reflect peoplescultural heritage such as barns, homes, and places of worship. Someplace names refecting different cultures include Richmond (named bythe English) and Roanoke (named by the American Indians (FirstAmericans).

Settlement Areas• English settled primarily in the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) and the

Piedmont Regions.• Scotch-Irish and Germans settled primarily in the Shenandoah

Valley, which was along the migration route.• Africans settled primarily in the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) and

Piedmont Regions, where agriculture required a great deal of labor.• American Indians of Virginia were primarily in the Coastal Plain

(Tidewater) Region, the Piedmont Region, and Appalachian Plateau,where traditional homelands were located.

Cultural Changes over TimeMigration and living in new areas caused people to adapt old customs totheir new environment. A distinct culture emerged in the Virginiacolony combining English, Scotch-Irish, German, African, andAmerican Indian (First American) cultures, customs, and architecture.traditions.








The student will demonstrate knowledge of life in the Virginia colony byc) explaining how geography influenced the relocation of Virginia’s capital from Jamestown to Williamsburg to Richmond.Reporting Category: Geography


Geographical factors ofteninfluenced the location of a capital.

What factors influenced themove of the capital fromJamestown toWilliamsburg?

What factors influenced themove of the capital fromWilliamsburg to Richmond?

Some factors which influenced the move of the capital fromJamestown to Williamsburg• The area around Jamestown was considered marshland.• Drinking water was contaminated by seepage of salt water from the

Chesapeake Bay.• Dirty living conditions caused diseases.• Fire destroyed wooden buildings in Jamestown.• Williamsburg was located along the James River, which allowed

ships to dock and maintain transportation links.• Moving to Williamsburg increased the distance of attack by the

Spanish, when they entered from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.• Williamsburg was situated at a higher elevation than Jamestown.

Some factors which influenced the move of the capital fromWilliamsburg to Richmond• Richmond was more centrally located.• Population was moving westward.• Richmond was located along the James River for ships to dock in

order to maintain transportation links.• Richmond’s location was better for trade, as Richmond was located

along the James River at the Fall Line.• Moving to Richmond further increased the distance of attack by the

Spanish from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.








The student will demonstrate knowledge of life in the Virginia colony byd) describing how money, barter, and credit were used.Reporting Category: Economics


Money was not commonly usedin early agricultural societies.

What forms of exchangewere used in the Virginiacolony?

Terms to Know•money: a medium of exchange (currency, which includes coins and paper

bills)•barter: the trading/exchanging of goods and services without the use of

money•credit: buying a good or service now and paying for it later•debt: a good or service owed to another•saving: money put away to save or spend at a later time•natural resources: materials that come from nature (water, soil, wood,

coal)•capital resources: goods made (manufactured) by people and used to

produce other goods and services•goods: touchable things/items people make or use to satisfy needs and

wants•services: activities that satisfy people’s needs and wants

Few people of the Virginia colony used money to buy goods and services.Barter was commonly used instead of money. Tobacco was a highly valuedbarter item that was used frequently as money. (A tobacco farmer could usehis tobacco to pay for goods and services.) Consumers could buy goods andservices from merchants and shopkeepers on credit and would pay theirdebts when their crops were harvested and sold.

Colonists exported natural resources and imported capital resources fromEngland. In the 1700s, England tried to control the trade of the Englishcolonies, but independent trading still developed. By the middle of the1700s, the English colonies were following the free enterprise system, wherepeople could start any business they wanted, decide what to make or grow,how much to produce, and what to charge.

There were no banks in colonial Virginia. (FYI: The First Bank of theUnited States was established in 1791. The main office was in Philadelphia.)








The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of Virginia in the American Revolution bya) identifying the reasons why the colonies went to war with England as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.Reporting Category: Civics


Conflicts developed between thecolonies and England over how thecolonies should be governed and whowould pay for the French and IndianWar.

The Declaration of Independencedeclared that all thirteen colonies werebreaking ties with England.

The Declaration of Independence isperhaps the most important documentin American history, definingAmerican ideals and values. It gavereasons for independence and ideas forself-government.

Why did England want thecolonists to pay for theFrench and Indian War?

How did the colonists’ ideasabout government differfrom those of the EnglishParliament?

Why is the Declaration ofIndependence an importantdocument?

The French and Indian War (1754-1763)The French owned land along the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes, and theMississippi River, and extended their claims into the Ohio River Valley. Englandclaimed the land of the Ohio River Valley by virtue of the First Charter of theVirginia Company of London. The two countries fought over these lands and overcontrol of fur-trading and fishing industries. The French had many friends amongthe Indian tribes that helped them fight the English, because the English had oftencheated and killed their Indian neighbors. The French had several successes incapturing English stongholds, but in 1759, the English captured Quebec, and in1760, Montreal. To end the war, the “Treaty of Paris of 1763”, gave the Englishalmost all the French lands in Canada and east of the Mississippi River. The Frenchand Indian War put an end to France’s strength in North America.

The colonists and English Parliament disagreed over how the colonies should begoverned. Parliament believed it had legal authority in the colonies, while thecolonists believed their local assemblies had legal authority. Parliament believed ithad the right to tax the colonies, while the colonists believed they should not betaxed since they had no representation in Parliament. New laws developed by theEnglish Parliament angered the colonists. The English Parliament wanted thecolonists to pay for the cost of the French and Indian War. The colonists objected to“taxation without representation” by the English Parliament.

Virginians participated in events leading to war with England by boycottingEnglish goods.The Stamp Act of 1765 required the colonists to pay taxes (buy stamps) for paperdocuments. The Sons of Liberty encouraged the colonists not to obey the Stamp Actand not to buy or import English goods. Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766.

In 1767, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, taxing the colonies on such Englishimports as paint, lead, paper, and tea. Troops from England were sent to put downnew protests. A fight broke out and people were killed. This was known as theBoston Massacre. Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts that same day, with theexception of tea. (Continued)








VS.5a (Continued) Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

Essential KnowledgeIn 1773, the English Parliament gave the East India Company a monopoly on all tea sent tothe colonies. The colonies reacted angrily. In Boston, the Sons of Liberty dressed as Indiansand dumped the tea into the Boston harbor. This is known as the Boston Tea Party. TheEnglish Parliament responded to punish the colonists with legislation known as the IntolerableActs. The Intolerable Acts closed Boston Harbor, dissolved Mass Assembly, and forced theBoston colonists to house English soldiers.

Virginians participated in events leading to the American Revolutionary War withEngland by forming Committees of Correspondence. Committees from the coloniesinformed each other of these and other important political events. This communication helpedto unite the colonies.

Virginians participated in events leading to the American Revolutionary War withEngland by organizing the Virginia Convention and by participating in ContinentalCongresses.

This series of events in the 1750s and 1760s began to turn the settlers against the governmentin England. In many cases, the English challenged and overturned laws passed by the GeneralAssembly and declared them illegal. Virginians thought that the King of England should notmeddle in the colonists’ affairs, especially when it came to taxing the colonists.

The first major signs of discontent were in 1765, following the passage of the Stamp Act, the1767 passage of the Townshend Acts, and the Intolerable Acts of 1774. Alarmed by thegrowing unrest, Virginia’s Governor Dunmore, who was appointed by the Englishgovernment, dissolved the General Assembly and placed Virginia entirely under English rule.The colonists ignored the English decision, and the General Assembly met in August 1774 atRaleigh Tavern in Williamsburg. After contacting the other colonies through the Committeesof Correspondence, the First Virginia Convention made plans to send representatives(delegates) to the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

The First Continental Congress met in 1774. It was an assembly of colonial delegates fromevery colony except Georgia. (The thirteen colonies were: New Hampshire, Massachusetts,Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.) They met in Philadelphia to opposethe Intolerable Acts. (Continued)


VS.5a (Continued) Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

Essential Knowledge

The Second Virginia Convention met in the Henrico Parish Church (named St. John’s Churchfifty years later) in Richmond in March of 1775. It was there that Patrick Henry gave hisfamous “…give me liberty or give me death” speech. A few weeks later, the first shots of theAmerican Revolution were fired in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts signaling that thecolonists would fight for their freedom.

On May, 1775, the Virginia Convention met in Williamsburg to instruct its’ delegates(representatives) going to the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence fromEngland. The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in 1775 with delegates from all13 colonies. They established a colonial army and declared American independence.

Virginians participated in events leading to war with England by appointing ThomasJefferson to write the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence laid out some basic ideas on which a government should bebased. It also gave reasons why Americans should become independent. The Declaration ofIndependence stated that authority to govern belongs to the people rather than to kings, that allpeople are created equal, and have rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. On July4, 1776, delegates of the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.

Bill of Rights/StatesBy the end of 1776, most states had produced written constitutions or plans of government. Moststate constitutions included a bill of rights or a list of rights and freedoms guaranteed to thepeople. The belief that all people have rights no government can take away, was deeply rootedin English tradition. The idea of stating them on a written plan of government, however, wasdistinctly American.

The Articles of ConfederationThe thirteen newly independent states had united themselves under the Articles ofConfederation, a constitution drafted in 1777. It was ratified in 1781. It gave few powers to theCongress (legislative branch of the federal government) and left extensive powers to the states.



The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of Virginia in the American Revolution byb) identifying the various roles played by Virginians in the Revolutionary War era, with emphasis on George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick

Henry.Reporting Category: History


Virginians made significantcontributions to the AmericanRevolutionary War era.

What were some of theevents of the AmericanRevolution?

What contributions didVirginians make to theAmerican RevolutionaryWar era?

Terms to Know• patriot: a person who is loyal or supports one’s own country

Significant Events during the American Revolution

Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775)Located in Massachusetts; the English did not capture the Minutemen’s supplies; first battles of theAmerican Revolution; the battles signaled that Americans would fight for their freedom

Battle of Bunker Hill (1775)Located near Boston; some people confused the hills in reporting the battle and what is called theBattle of Bunker Hill was actually fought on Breed’s Hill; the English won, but realized it would notbe an easy job fighting the colonists; the English lost 1,000 soldiers

Declaration of Independence (1776)Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence to announce to the world why the Americancolonies had to cut their ties with England and become independent.

Battle of Trenton (1776)Located in New Jersey; it prevented the English from getting control of New York and New England

Battle of Saratoga (June 1777)Located in northeastern New York; because of the American victory, the French decided to enter thewar on the side of the Americans; it is considered the turning point of the war

Winter at Valley Forge (1778)Located northwest of Philadelphia; George Washington’s winter camp; the American Army spent acold winter there

Battle of Yorktown (1781)Located on a peninsula on the southern shore of the York River in southeastern Virginia; Virginiapatriots served in the Continental Army and fought against the English; the French Navy gainedcontrol of the Chesapeake Bay, preventing the English Navy from helping Cornwallis; the FrenchArmy helped the Americans dig trenches around Yorktown and fought in the battle leadingCornwallis to surrender at Yorktown, Virginia. (The treaty named the “Peace of Paris” between theUnited States, England, France, and Spain, formally ended the war in 1783. It acknowledged theindependence of the 13 colonies as the United States. It also established the boundaries of the newnation.)

(Continued)

Identify andinterpret artifactsand primary andsecondary sourcedocuments tounderstand eventsin history. (VS.1a)

Interpret ideas andevents fromdifferent historicalperspectives.(VS.1g).


STANDARD VS.5b (Continued) Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of Virginia in the American Revolution byb) identifying the various roles played by Virginians in the Revolutionary War era, with emphasis on George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick

Henry.

Essential Knowledge

During the Revolutionary War, most Virginians provided food, clothing, and supplies for the Continental Army. Manypeople tried to help the Americans win the war. France sent French soldiers to fight the English. Many Americans foughttogether to gain independence from England: farmers, sailors, business owners, and teachers all helped.

During the Revolutionary War, some Virginians were neutral and did not take sides. Other Virginians remained loyalto England.

During the Revolutionary War, most Virginia women farmed and supported troops. They continued to work the farmswhen the men were fighting in the war. They made clothes for the soldiers in the army and cared for the soldiers who werewounded.

During the Revolutionary War, African Americans were divided about the Revolutionary War. Some slaves fought forthe English, because they were promised freedom.

James Armistead Lafayette was one of many enslaved Africans from Virginia who served with the troops of the ContinentalArmy under the leadership of the French General Marquis de Lafayette. He took important military information to otherAmerican spies. After the war was over, the General Assembly acknowledged his support and gave him his freedom. ((Jameswas his first name, and since he worked for Mr. Armistead, he took his last name. Later after the war, he took the nameLafayette after his military leader.)

George Washington was an officer who fought near the end of the French and Indian War. He provided military leadership byserving as Commander-in-Chief of the Virginia militia and then of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Thomas Jefferson provided political leadership expressing the reasons for colonial independence from England in theDeclaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence laid out some basic ideas on which a government should bebased. It also gave reasons why Americans should become independent. On July 4, 1776, delegates (representatives) attendingthe Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.

Patrick Henry inspired patriots from other colonies when he spoke out against “taxation without representation” at the HenricoParish Church (named St. John’s Church fifty years later) in Richmond, Virginia, by saying, “…give me liberty or give medeath.”



The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of Virginia in the American Revolution byc) identifying the importance of the American victory at Yorktown.Reporting Category: History


The last major battle of theAmerican Revolution was foughtat Yorktown, Virginia.

What was the importance of theAmerican victory at Yorktown?

The Battle of Yorktown (1781)

The battle was fought on a peninsula on the southern shoreof the York River in southeastern Virginia. The FrenchNavy gained control of the Chesapeake Bay, preventing theEnglish Navy from helping the English General CharlesCornwallis.

The French Army helped the Americans dig trenches aroundYorktown and fought in the battle. General CharlesCornwallis, surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia.

The American victory at Yorktown was the decisive event inthe American Revolutionary War. This victory resulted inthe surrender of the English Army, bringing an end to theAmerican Revolution. (The “Treaty of the Peace of Paris”between the United States, England, France, and Spain,formally ended the war in 1783.)




Analyze and interpretmaps to explainrelationships amonglandforms, waterfeatures, climaticcharacteristics, andhistorical events. VS.1i)


STANDARD VS.6a Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of Virginia in the establishment of the new American nation bya) explaining why George Washington is called the “Father of our Country” and James Madison is called the “Father of the Constitution.”Reporting Category: History (To assist in the transition to the Grade 5 content, this SOL should be introduced in Grade 4.)


The actions and ideas of Virginiansformed the basis for the newconstitutional government of theUnited States of America.

George Washington was the firstPresident of the United States ofAmerica.

James Madison held a strong beliefin the importance of a United StatesConstitution.

In what ways did Virginianscontribute to the successes of thenew nation?

Why is George Washingtonreferred to as the “Father of ourCountry?”

Why is James Madison referredto as the “Father of theConstitution?”

Virginians were important participants in the establishment of thenew government by participating in the Constitutional Conventionof 1787.The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787with 55 of the 73 delegates present. All states were representedwith the exception of Rhode Island. The purpose of this meetingwas to discuss problems between the thirteen states. The delegateshad many things in common: all were men who owned property;more than half of them were lawyers; most of the delegates hadfought beside George Washington in the Continental Army; andmany had also helped write the constitutions for their own states.

George WashingtonGeorge Washington, a Virginian and Commander-in-Chief of theContinental Army during the American Revolutionary War, waselected as the first President of the United States of America andoften called the “Father of our Country.” Washington provided thestrong leadership needed to help the young country grow anddevelop through difficult times. George Washington provided themodel of leadership for future presidents.

James MadisonJames Madison believed in the importance of having a UnitedStates Constitution. Madison kept detailed notes during theConstitutional Convention, which helped thedelegates understand the process of developing this mostsignificant document.

Identify and interpretartifacts and primary andsecondary sourcedocuments to understandevents in history. (VS.1a)

Compare and contrasthistorical events. (VS.1c)


Interpret ideas and eventsfrom different historicalperspectives. (VS.1g)


(VS.6a Continued) James Madison drew up the Virginia Plan (May 1787).Many delegates, especially those from the smaller states,opposed the Virginia Plan because it based the number ofrepresentatives on a state’s population. Some offered theNew Jersey Plan (June 1787). It was much like the Articlesof Confederation, but with a stronger Congress.

The Great Compromise (July 1787) indicated that the newCongress would have two separate houses. One housewould be called the House of Representatives.Representation in the House of Representatives would bebased on state population. This favored the larger states.The second house would be called the Senate. Each statewould have equal representatives in the Senate: twodelegates per state. This favored the smaller states.

The United States Constitution

The United States Constitution set up central governmentwith three main branches. The Legislative Branch makeslaws, the Executive Branch carries out laws, and theJudicial Branch determines if laws have been broken.

• James Madison’s compromising skills helped the delegatesreach agreement during the difficult process of writing theUnited States Constitution.

• Madison is often called the “Father of the Constitution.”

The delegates of the Constitutional Convention signed theConstitution of the United States on September 17, 1787.


STANDARD VS.6b Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of Virginia in the establishment of the new American nation byb) identifying the ideas of George Mason and Thomas Jefferson as expressed in the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious

Freedom.Reporting Category: Civics (To assist in the transition to the Grade 5 content, this SOL should be introduced in Grade 4.)


The actions and ideas of Virginiansformed the basis for the newconstitutional government of theUnited States.

Ideas expressed in the VirginiaDeclaration of Rights and theVirginia Statute for ReligiousFreedom served as models for theUnited States Constitution’s Bill ofRights of the Constitution of theUnited States of America.

What was the influence of theVirginia Declaration of Rightson the United StatesConstitution?

What was the influence of theVirginia Statute for ReligiousFreedom on the United StatesConstitution?

Virginia Declaration of Rights

The Virginia Declaration of Rights stated that all Virginiansshould have certain rights, including freedom of religion, freedomof the press, and the right to trial by jury.

George Mason of Virginia drafted this document in 1776. Itwas adopted by Virginia’s Fifth Convention on June 2,1776. It spelled out such fundamental liberties as freedomof religion, freedom of the press, and the right to a jury trial,in both civil and criminal cases. It formed the basis of thefirst ten amendments (the Bill of Rights) to the Constitutionof the United States of America.

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom stated that all peopleshould be free to worship as they please.

Thomas Jefferson drafted this bill in 1777. It stated the principlesof separation of church and state and of complete religiousfreedom. It was introduced to the General Assembly in 1779, butwas not passed by the General Assembly until 1786. WithoutJames Madison’s leadership guiding this bill through the GeneralAssembly, the bill probably would not have passed. Thisdocument was the basis for the First Amendment to theConstitution of the United States of America, the amendment thatprotects religious freedom.

Identify primary andsecondary sourcedocuments to understandevents in history. (VS.1a)


Interpret ideas and eventsfrom different historicalperspectives. (VS.1g)


STANDARD VS.6c Henrico County Public Schools Grade 4The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of Virginia in the establishment of the new American nation byc) explaining the influence of geography on the migration of Virginians into western territories.Reporting Category: Geography (To assist in the transition to the Grade 5 content, this SOL should be introduced in Grade 4.)


After the American Revolution,Virginia’s agricultural basebegan to change. As a result,large numbers of Virginiansmoved west and to the deepSouth to find better farmland andnew opportunities.

Geography influenced themovement of people and ideas asVirginians moved to and beyondthe Virginia frontier.

The Great Valley of Virginiaprovided a route for migration to thewestern territories.

What geographic factorsinfluenced Virginians to move tothe western frontier of Virginiaand beyond?

The Influence of Geography on the Migration into theWestern Territories

After the American Revolution, Virginia’s agricultural base beganto change, and as a result large numbers of Virginians moved westand to the deep South to find better farmland and newopportunities.

- Tobacco farming drained the minerals in the soil, causingmany farmers to look west and south for new land to farm.

- Virginians migrated into western territories looking forlarge areas of land and new opportunities.

- As Virginians moved, they took their traditions, ideas, andcultures with them.

- Settlers crossed the Appalachian Mountains through theCumberland Gap as they migrated to new lands in thewest.


Compare and contrasthistorical events. (VS.1c)


Analyze and interpretmaps to explainrelationships amonglandforms, waterfeatures, climaticcharacteristics, andhistorical events. (VS.1i)

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