Homeschool Programs
About Our Homeschool Programs
The FAM is proud to offer a variety of programs for homeschool learners. Families will dive into Fredericksburg’s past through hands-on activities in the FAM’s galleries.
Homeschool families can schedule a private field trip for their group or participate in our fall and spring Homeschool Historian program.
Homeschool Historians
Dinosaur Discoveries
Preschool, Kindergarten – 5th Grade
Wednesday, October 8
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Join the Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) for Homeschool Historians, an engaging and interactive program specially designed for elementary-aged homeschool students and their families. Dive into the fascinating stories of Fredericksburg’s past and beyond through hands-on activities.
In this exciting session, Dinosaur Discoveries, children will become junior paleontologists as they investigate local fossilized dinosaur tracks. With age-appropriate, interactive activities, participants will uncover fascinating clues about these creatures and Fredericksburg 112 million years ago.
FAM welcomes children accompanied by an adult (18+). Tickets are $5 per person (children and adults). All attendees over the age of three must purchase a ticket.
Additional questions may be directed to Theresa Cramer, Education Manager, at tcramer@famva.org.
Homeschool Field Trips
Dinosaur Discoveries
Preschool, Kindergarten – 5th Grade
Why do scientists think dinosaurs lived near Fredericksburg? Students will step into the shoes of paleontologists and explore fossilized dinosaur tracks dating back 112 million years. Through hands-on activities tailored to each age group, children will uncover clues about these prehistoric creatures.
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Communication, Curiosity and Initiative Interacting with Others, Gross Motor Skills
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K.1.F, K.7.A-B, 1.1.B, 1.5.A-C., 2.1.D, 2.5.A-C, 3.1.A-D.F, 3.4.C, 3.5.A-B, 4.1.A-D.F, 4.3.A.D, 5.1. A-D.F, 5.8.E
A River Through Time
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
Why did early communities choose to settle near rivers? In this hands-on program, students will investigate how the Rappahannock River influenced the lives of Indigenous peoples, explorers, and early settlers in the Fredericksburg area. Through mapping and artifact activities, they’ll discover the vital role rivers played in transportation, food, trade, and the development of growing communities.
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Skill K a-c,e,i, K.4b-d, K.5a-c, K.7c, Skills 1 a-c, h ,e, 1.4b-c, 1.5a-b, 1.7.a, 1.8d, Skills 2 a-e,h, 2.5a, 2.6, 2.8a, 2.13a
Stem in Action: Rappahannock Bridges
3rd – 5th Grade
How have different shapes been used in bridges to make them stronger? Students will explore the history of bridges spanning the Rappahannock River, discovering how engineers used arches, triangles, and beams to design strong, lasting structures. They will then apply these engineering principles by designing, building, and testing their own model bridges.
The Colonial Market Place
4th – 5th Grade
What role did Fredericksburg play in the colonial tobacco economy? In this interactive lesson, students will engage in a series of station-based activities to explore Virginia’s colonial past. They will learn about the history of Market Square, examine the importance of trade with indigenous communities and Fredericksburg’s role in the global economy during the colonial era, including connection to the transatlantic slave trade.
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Skills VSa-c, e VS.1c, VS.3a VS.4 a-d,f, Skills USIa-c,e, USI.1b, USI.4c, USI.5b-e
Civics and Civil Rights
6th – 12th Grade
How did local students participate in and experience the Civil Rights Movement? Through analyzing primary sources and exploring FAM’s galleries, students will uncover powerful stories of local youth activism, including the Walker Grant Class of 1950 Protest, the 1960 sit-in demonstrations, and Fredericksburg’s role as the first stop of the Freedom Riders.
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Skills USII.a,c,e,h, USII.5h-i, USII.8a, Skills CE.a,c,e,h, CE.6b-c, CE.4b, Skills VUS .a, c-e,h, VUS.16a-b,d-e, VA.US.17a, Skills GOVT. a,e,j,c,h, GOVT.2c, GOVT,3d, GOVT.10b, GOVT.11a-b,f
Freedom Stories
9th – 12th Grade
What were the challenges enslaved people faced when attempting to escape, and how did these obstacles shape their decisions on the path to freedom? Students will explore the stories of enslaved people who made the decision to escape to freedom, including John M. Washington and Anthony Burns. Through primary source analysis and exploring FAM’s galleries, students will examine the choices of these freedom seekers and the legal risks they faced.
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Skills VUS .a, c-e,h, VUS.8a-c, VUS.9c, Skills VUS .a, c-e,h, Skills GOVT. a,e,j,c,h, GOVT.2c, GOVT6.a
Booking a Private Program
Private Program Costs
FAM Field Trip
$4.00 per adult/child above the age of 3
To reserve a spot on FAM’s calendar, groups must pay a $40 deposit. On the day of the field trip, groups with more than ten people will pay for the difference of their field trip total and deposit.