Arlington House Parks As Classrooms Programs

The 4th Grade Parks As Classrooms Program brings fourth grade students from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to Arlington House for an interactive program entitled “Life in the 1850s.” Arlington House interpretive rangers give the students a tour of the house and grounds and discuss various themes relevant to the history of the site. Students then complete hands-on activities in art, gardening and period dress.

The 7th Grade Parks As Classrooms Program brings local school children to the park for a history scavenger hunt. Working in teams of five, students tour the mansion and grounds and attempt to identify objects and architectural features as they complete an activity packet while on-site, as well as other pre-visit and post-visit materials.

Participating in the 10th Grade Parks As Classrooms Program, students from local high schools read works of historical fiction and then work with Arlington House Park Rangers to discover the many ways in which history and fiction collide. This program is designed to introduce students to the concept of thinking critically about history and applying that critical thinking to interpreting for other people.

Interested teachers should contact Arlington House Parks As Classrooms coordinator Matt Penrod for more information on these exciting programs.