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Jamestown: America's 400th Anniversary
In 2006-2007, Americans and others around the globe will commemorate the 400th anniversary of a journey that began with the voyage to Jamestown, gave rise to a new nation, and changed the world. It is an ongoing journey, as ideals of freedom and democracy continue to be tested and refined in the crucible of experience in the United States and internationally.
Jamestown - Journey of Democracy
In October 2004, the Center for Politics was contracted by the federal Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission to create the official curriculum website of the commemoration consisting of twelve civics lesson plans written by the Center for Politics and to locate preexisting Jamestown related educational materials. The civics lesson plans created by the Center compose the official curriculum of America's 400th Anniversary. Jamestown - Journey of Democracy went live in November 2005 bringing over 85 lesson plans, activities, and other resources to K-12 teachers across America and around the world. All materials are provided FREE to teachers registered at the site.
A curriculum advisory committee consisting of Jamestown related organizations, Virginia Indian representatives and African American representatives was assembled to review the lesson plans as well as the content and design of JamestownJourney.org. It is through this cooperation that Jamestown - Journey of Democracy has received such extremely positive reviews.
Click here to learn more about Jamestown - Journey of Democracy or contact Daman Irby (irby@virginia.edu, 434-243-8475) or Meg Heubeck (mfheubeck@virginia.edu, 434-982-5726).
Jamestown Live!
The primary themes and educational content of the Commemoration's Jamestown Live! webcast came from the JamestownJourney.org curriculum. On November 9th, 2006, students from all 50 states gathered at Jamestown and over 1,000,000 logged on from across the nation and around the world to participate in Jamestown Live! This once-in-a-lifetime event brought to life the important history of Jamestown through creative programming geared to a nationwide online audience of students in grades 4 through 8. Jamestown Live! was coordinated by the Jamestown 2007.
International Youth Democracy Summit
In August 2006, the University of Virginia through the coordination of the Center for Politics hosted the opening event of the Jamestown Federal Commission's International Conference Series on the Foundations and Future of Democracy. The International Youth Democracy Summit gathered 300 high school student leaders from 42 states and the District of Columbia and 22 countries on the grounds of the University of Virginia to discuss the importance of civic engagement to the founding of Jamestown as well as to democracies today.
Speakers during the Summit included Ambassador Karen P. Hughes, Professor Dan Roberts of the University of Richmond, Professor Larry Sabato, Karenne Wood Chair of the Virginia Council on Indians, Jeff Looney of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Douglass IV.
During the week students visited Monticello, Jamestown, Williamsburg and Washington, D.C., participated in debates on immigration, and worked on Civic Action Plans designed to encourage civic engagement in their schools and communities. For more information on the International Youth Democracy Summit, visit www.IYDS.net.
Click here to learn more about the International Conference Series on the Foundations and Future of Democracy.
Visit Americas400thAnniversary.org to learn more about events to be held during the commemoration.
Jamestown Journey Website
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Copyright © 2006 U.Va. Center for Politics. All rights reserved.
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