I Live in Arlington

Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Turkey Run Park
McLean, VA 22101
(703) 235-1530 (Visitor Information)

Instructional Unit:
The students will take a trip to Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial in Arlington, VA. They will follow a tour that discusses the way of life in the 1850's and the lives of members of the Lee family. This will enable the students to see firsthand some of the differences in the life today and yesterday.

Curriculum Unit:
Grade 3, 4, 5
Social Studies

Objectives:
1. Describe three facts that explain who Robert E. Lee was.
2. Describe or draw ten differences in the way of life today and yesterday as seen at the Arlington House.
3. List ten facts that were learned during the museum experience.

Pre-Visit Activity:
In preparation, the students will read and discuss chapters 1-3, "The Story of Arlington, Indians in Arlington, The Civil War and Rural Arlington," in I Live in Arlington . The chapter on the Civil War discusses the Lees briefly. Vocabulary including secession, orator, agricultural pioneer, Union and Confederate soldiers will be defined and discussed. A week before the trip, the students will view a film, sent by the staff at the Arlington House, that covers the history of the Lee family. A time line will be made of Lee's life.

On-Site Activity:
The students will tour the Arlington House with a tour guide who will reveal the major differences of the house between yesterday and today. After the tour, each student will be required to revisit five specific locations, spending 10 minutes at each to complete the worksheet on the changes that have occurred over time. The worksheet should be completed with a "study buddy."

Follow-Up:
After the tour, the students will discuss, as a group, the differences and similarities that they encountered at the Arlington House. The time line will be reviewed and updated with their new knowledge of the Arlington House. Finally, each student will complete an evaluation form for the museum experience and list ten things that they learned.

Appendices: none

Bibliography: none

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