The Civil War spurred inventions and innovations that moved America into the industrial age, transformed naval warfare, and called for new modes of leadership.

Photography can be a cross-disciplinary tool for verbal literacy development, aesthetic and technical visual literacy instruction, and a study of the human condition.

The qualities that define leaders are ageless yet refined each generation. The census, Voting Rights Act of 1965, and gerrymandering impact elections every ten years.

Reading the Sunday Washington Post expands horizons, informs and provides educators with material to use in every classroom. Highlights and activities in this guide cover each section of the Sunday Post. They include the ethics of decisions made in selecting photographs for publication, using Dr. Gridlock’s tips, exploring the business side of the Olympics and writing for different audiences.

This online guide is composed of previous and new activities for incorporating the Washington Post e-Replica Edition into the classroom. An exact digital copy of the newspaper accessed online with a password, the e-Replica may be read at school, at home, wherever there is an Internet connection. The activities in this collection apply to many disciplines. In addition to the reading, writing, mathematics and critical thinking skills that are exercised using The Washington Post, the e-Replica Edition utilizes technology and electronic information gathering skills.

The foreign correspondent provides eyewitness accounts, on-sight interviews and reports of the trends, events and ideas from locations around the world. This guide provides an interview with the Post’s Foreign Editor Keith Richburg and two articles written by experienced reporters that set the foundation for understanding the job of the foreign correspondent. Articles by Post foreign correspondents illustrate correspondents covering war, giving context and insight into another culture, and providing perspective and background on political actions in other countries.

The commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in America provides lessons in survival and death, cooperation and conflict, government and independent spirits. This first of a two-part Jamestown at 400 guide provides Washington Post articles, editorial cartoon, maps, illustrated Godspeed, and suggested activities for a study of Jamestown, yesterday and today. Read about and discuss the recreation of Virginia Algonquian, tobacco as the seed of empire and vice, and travel along the James River.

This guide presents activities to use with the maps that can be found daily in The Washington Post. Use them in your classes to enhance the reading of the newspaper and understanding of international and local events. Use them to help students improve their geography skills, to learn the role of environment in human activity, and to picture historical and political perspectives. Post cartographer Richard Furno gives insight into map making. Younger students create a personal Handland, and through maps older students study Latin America and the leftist leaders who are mapping a new political course and contrast fertility rates in Africa and Europe. “Types of Maps” provides examples of a dozen different ways to map the earth and “Know Your Maps” encourages students to find and explore maps.

As the D.C. area grows and looks eastward to expand, the area that was first settled by native inhabitants becomes the focus of waterfront redevelopment. Students are challenged to consider water quality, manmade pollution and potential to transform our neglected “other river” into a source of vitality and recreation. Maps of the Anacostia River and articles from the Post July 2004 five-part series on the Anacostia River Waterfront Initiative are provided to give background for students to propose their own waterfront design. The Law and Order section features an introduction to judicial activism and Justice William O. Douglas. In 1954, Justice Douglas challenged Post editors to walk the length of the C&O Canal. Students are asked to read his letter to the editor and evaluate its persuasiveness.

From 1965-1990, the pursuit of a better life, integrity and outer space shaped modern D.C. As the nation celebrated its 200th birthday, many firsts were taking place as the Metrorail opened, man orbited the earth then walked on the moon, and Walter Washington was elected mayor of D.C. Through local history activities, students are encouraged to research the story of one building in their community. "New Explorers" introduces students to four astronauts who went to school in the D.C. area. "The First Draft of History" focuses on the integrity of the White House and the Washington Post's challenge to be a monitor of power. Thirty years after the Watergate break-in, hearings and resignation of President Nixon, what lessons should we still learn? Law and Order activities present a 1982 Supreme Court case, Plyler v. Doe, that asks whether the state has a responsibility to educate the children of illegal immigrants.

In the midst of a booming economy, the nation's capital was faced with a challenge to segregation that was practiced in its customs and laws. Activities and resources are provided in this guide to study the social, historic and legal context, Supreme Court decisions and aftermath of Brown v. Board of Education. Daily life is presented in Q&A, the illustrated history of D.C., and "Inspired or Accidental Inventions?" "Map It" provides a map reading exercise and a look at the growth of the D.C. area by 1965. Historic context and a reading comprehension exercise are available in "Sputnik First in Space." Use the May 18, 1954, Washington Post and Times Herald coverage of the Court's decisions, articles from KidsPost and graphics with younger and older students to give social and historic context to a study of Brown. "Law and Order" provides a legal background on Brown and introduces students to Thurgood Marshall, first African American Supreme Court justice who was dedicated to the law and Constitution.

The 1920s and 1930s were decades of development, daring and dangers, and the D.C. Renaissance during which writers, musicians and artists were a significant part of D.C. life. This guide provides introductions to the arts, media, technology and politics of two decades. Patterson Clark's "A New Day" illustrates scenes of D.C., including Grace Colidge and her pet raccoon. "Map It" highlights West Potomac Park, population growth and advances in transportation as students practice their map reading and interpretation skills. The "Q and A" focuses on aviation developments, many of which have a D.C. connection. Art and music played significant roles whether in the emerging galleries, the Art Deco influence or the D.C. Renaissance. "What Is Art Deco?" covers the basics of the architectural and design style. "Art Deco Drive" encourages students to visit Art Deco structures that remain in our area. "U Street: The Place To Be" introduces students to key people and places in the D.C. Renaissance as they locate addresses on a map, and two other reproducibles introduce students to a young Langston Hughes in D.C. and key features of the D.C. Renaissance. "Law and Order" looks at the constitution amendment process through the 19th amendment's passage. The "First Draft of History," sidebars and extension activities enrich the suggested activities in the teacher's section of the guide.

Students learn about geography, weather and human stamina while reading about a round-the-world endurance sailboat race. Teachers may wish to review students' knowledge of geography and weather or introduce new terms by using the three reproducibles that divide the Volvo Ocean Race into segments: Southampton, England, to Auckland, New Zealand; Auckland to Baltimore, Maryland; and Baltimore/Annapolis to Kiel, Germany. The youngest students are provided a multiple-choice quiz, "Which of These Is True?" The challenges to safety and health during endurance races are examined in "Careful Packing." Vocabulary, Web resources and "Word Study: A Look at Circumnavigation" are also included.

Students learn about Antarctica and its early explorers as they prepare for a scientific expedition on the coldest continent. An interview with the public affairs officer onboard the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star supplements the KidsPost article, "Deep Freeze." The student activity encourages reading about Antarctic explorers and studying the animal life of the fifth largest continent. Vocabulary, Web and print resources and a Word Study focusing on temperature are provided.