General Information Program Dates: Spring: April 1 - Memorial Day Program designed for Grade 2 and up (Special program can be designed for K-1) Group size:  Maximum 30, Minimum 8 One chaperone for every five students, grades 2-5 One chaperone for every ten students, grades 6 and up Reservations required. Student cost: $2 Required Chaperones (including teacher) are free Additional adult cost: $6.50 per person Groups must arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled time.

Purpose of the Hands-on History Center The Hands-on History Center programs are designed to give students the opportunity to experience various aspects of daily life during Thomas Jefferson's time at Poplar Forest.  Led by the Poplar Forest Hands-on History Leader, students will have a chance to interact with docents, participate in hands-on activities, and use critical thinking skills to interpret, analyze, and evaluate history.

Themes All teachers requesting the program will choose one of the following themes for their class program focus (click on each to learn more): Literally Fun (Reading and Writing at Poplar Forest) Dig the Past (Archaeology) Build a Dream (Architecture) Hidden Lives (The Plantation Community at Poplar Forest)

Format
Each class has a reserved time slot of approximately one hour.

• First 20 minutes: the Hands-on History Center Leader introduces the theme with a brief lesson.
• Next 20 minutes: students will be broken down into groups and each group will focus on a different activity within the theme.
• Remaining time: students will be allowed to explore the center and participate in a variety of activities.

Virginia State SOL Information for History Center Activities

Special note: Teachers may choose to include a house and grounds tour with their hands-on history program.  The Poplar Forest house and grounds tour for students typically runs 1.5 hours and includes an introduction to Thomas Jefferson and Poplar Forest.  Students also have an opportunity to visit the slave quarter site and an excavation site where archaeologists are currently digging.

For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact:

Education Assistant
Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest
P.O. Box 419, Forest, Virginia 24551-0419
434-534-8109 or EducAsst@poplarforest.org