Teacher Resources

The 250th Commemoration is a unique opportunity for teachers and educators to engage their students on the historical moments, values, and beliefs that contributed to the founding of our nation.

Partner Resources

Thank you to the VA250 Commission institutional partners for contributing their educational resources to the semiquincentennial.

#GoOpenVA

GoOpenVA
 
VA Department of Education
#GoOpenVA is where teachers are empowered to support personalized learning for all their students by creating, using and sharing openly-licensed digital resources. By Virginia Educators, For Virginia Educators.

 

Revolution Revisited Podcast

Revolution Revisited
 
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
This multi-season podcast offers a fresh examination of the origins and impacts of the American Revolution. Produced as part of the VMHC’s 250th Initiative and as a companion to its marquee exhibition, Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation, this podcast is a must-listen resource as part of America’s milestone anniversary.

 

Cardinal News 250

Cardinal News 250
 
Cardinal News
Cardinal News has launched a three-year project to spotlight Virginia’s overlooked contributions to America’s march to independence ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, or semiquincentennial. “Cardinal News 250: Virginia’s Stories. A Nation’s Birth” began in November 2023 and runs through 2026. The series features monthly articles that delve into the people, places and events that helped shape the nation, sharing stories often absent from classroom history books.

 

General Assembly WebQuest

This WebQuest was designed by award-winning government teacher of Cosby High School, Renee Serrao, in Chesterfield County. This program is designed to help students navigate VPAP.org and developer a deeper understanding of the Virginia General Assembly.

More Resources

Civics Fundamentals

Civics Fundamentals is a free program crafted to promote informed citizenship by meaningfully engaging, educating, and empowering all learners to enhance their civics education. The course comprises a series of professionally produced two-minute videos from the host of the PBS series A More or Less Perfect Union with Judge Douglas Ginsburg. Each of the 100 video lessons is crafted to accompany the 100 questions from the U.S. Citizenship Test to gauge and improve your knowledge of the concepts presented.

A More or Less Perfect Union

A public television series that explores the most contentious issues in American history and today through the lens of the U.S. Constitution. The groundbreaking, three-part public television series tells the story of how the Framers put freedom in writing; how amendment after amendment finally spread freedom to all of “we the people”; and how we still struggle today to preserve the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution.

We Hold These Truths

A public television series where Federal Judge Douglas Ginsburg explores the enduring influence of America’s Declaration of Independence. This promissory note for liberty inspired over 100 nations seeking their independence. In the United States, it influenced the abolitionist movement, the Women’s Suffrage movement, and iconic civil rights figures Frederick Douglass and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Supreme Court Cases for AP Government and Politics

A video series that brings history to life by exploring pivotal rulings that have shaped the United States. Hosted by sitting Federal Judge Douglas Ginsburg, U.S. Court of Appeals, Washington, D.C., this series dives into the stories behind landmark cases that continue to influence American law and government today–perfect for sparking thoughtful discussion.