Virginia SOL VS.5

VS.5 is a Standards of Learning history and social science standard. These are the skills expectations under it.

• VS.5.a

  explaining the principles and events that convinced the colonists to declare independence and go to war with Great Britain, as expressed in the Declaration of I...

• VS.5.b

  examining the important contributions, leadership, and experiences of Virginians during the war including, but not limited to George Washington, Thomas Jefferso...

• VS.5.c

  identifying the reasons for the relocation of Virginia’s capital from Williamsburg to Richmond

• VS.5.d

  identifying the importance of the American victory at Yorktown

01

What Students Need to Do

Students connect British policies, colonial protests, and ideas about rights and government to the decision for independence. They examine sources, maps, and accounts to explain Virginians’ actions and varied experiences. They also explain the move to Richmond and why Yorktown changed the war.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can build a clear cause-and-effect account from colonial grievances to independence and war. The student accurately describes several Virginians’ contributions without treating every group as having the same experience. The student explains Richmond’s safer, more central location and Yorktown’s effect on British military efforts.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think the Declaration ended the war or that Yorktown immediately created the United States. They may confuse Jefferson’s writing role with Washington’s military leadership. They may also assume all Virginians supported independence or that women, Indigenous people, and Black Virginians shared one viewpoint.

04

How to Assess It

Give students this four-box exit ticket: explain one Declaration idea or grievance, one person’s contribution or experience, one reason the capital moved, and why Yorktown mattered.

1. 01

   Students arrange event cards from British taxes to Yorktown, then connect each card with yarn labeled cause or effect.

2. 02

   Write a council speech supporting or opposing the move from Williamsburg to Richmond, using location, safety, and population as evidence.

3. 03

   Play Who Am I with clue cards for Washington, Jefferson, Mason, Madison, Lafayette, women, Indigenous people, and Black Virginians.

4. 04

   Compare Williamsburg and Richmond on a current Virginia map, then choose the safer capital site using rivers, coastlines, and travel routes.

• VS.7

  The students will apply history and social science skills to understand the key people, events, and issues of the Civil War and Virginia’s role by

• USI.6

  The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the American Revolution by

• 1.4

  The student will apply history and social science skills to understand Virginia’s history by

• VS.6

  The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the establishment and growth of the new American nation with emphasis on the role of Virgini...