Communities in Virginia
Session 4: Putting the Pieces Together

Materials

• List of ethnic groups present in Virginia (using information from the Virginia state census Web site)
• Pictures of different Americans (using magazines, catalogs, newspapers to show the diversity of Americans)

Instructional Activities

1. Present pictures of diverse Americans. Discuss the pictures. Ask students if all Americans look the same, then point out that they are all Americans. Americans can look many different ways. In what ways are they alike? In what ways are they different?
   
   
2. Use the Virginia state census information at <http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51000.html> to present a list of different ethnic groups living in Virginia.
   
   
3. Introduce the word unite. Explain to students that all these groups of people unite to form our state. The “glue” that holds us together is our pride and love for the country of America. Review the word patriotic. How does a person show patriotism (e.g., saying the Pledge of Allegiance and celebrating Independence Day/Fourth of July)?