SOL Identification # VS.

2c Description of SOL: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the physical geography and native peoples, past and present, of Virginia by c.) locating and identifying water features important to the early history of Virginia (Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, James River, York River, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, and Lake Drummond and the Dismal Swamp) Essential Knowledge: The James River-Flows into the Chesapeake Bay -Richmond and Jamestown located along the James River Which water features were important to the early history of Virginia? How did water features influence the development of Virginia? How did the flow of rivers affect the settlement of Virginia?

Kacie Dixon dixonkl@dukes.jmu.edu _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Part I Content Essay: The James River is a river that flows across the entire state of Virginia. The James River is the largest river in Virginia running 340 miles long with a watershed of approximately 10,000 square miles, which is about 25% of Virginia State. The James River begins at the headwaters of the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers in Bath and Highland Counties, and runs to its mouth at the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton Roads. The James River is Virginias largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. The James is the home to 1/3 of all Virginians today, but was also the original home for settlers in 1607(The James River Association). The James River was vital to the history of Virginia, but is also important for Virginia today. The James River was originally known as the Powhatan River, which was named after the Native American tribe called the Powhatans, who were the original settlers along the river (Grizzard & Smith, 98). However, in 1606 King James I sent a royal charter to

explore and settle in Virginia under the leadership of Captain Christopher Newsport. The ships eventually sailed through the Chesapeake Bay where they then anchored at Cape Henry. Once Newport and his men were in Virginia they did as they were instructed and looked for a fertile and wholesome place, at least a hundred miles upstream on a major riverthat which bendeth most northwest because it would be closest to the Pacific Ocean (Deans, 52). If the river flowed from a large lake, that too would be ideal because it was said to lead quickest to China and perhaps even India (Deans, 52). The British explorers became British settlers when they decided that the Powhatan River met their requirements for settling, and renamed the river after their ruler King James I. On May, 14, 1607, Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America was established along the James River (Historic Jamestown). As it turned out, the James River was a good choice for a settlement location. The James River flows in only one direction, taking the easiest route to the sea. Even in the driest seasons, the river will flow thanks to its mountain springs that never cease. The James contains both fresh and salt water supporting many living communities, animals and humans. Humans could use the James for drinking water due to its continuously flowing water, but also as a source of food (Woodleif, 3). The river created a thriving ecosystem for animals like catfish the size of piglets, frogs the size of kittens, giant sturgeon with firm flesh and roe, as well as other fish, squirrels, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, and deer (Deans, 56). The James also provided its settlers with natural harbors along its edges for easy anchoring when traveling its length. During colonial times the James was the main water route for commerce, connecting the seaports to the backcountry. The settlers were able to thrive off all that the river offered between travel, trade, food, and

water. Unfortunately, the James did have some minor downfalls like unpredictable flooding in any season (Woodleif, 4). However, even if the James River was chosen as an accident by Newport and his men it was a good choice and certainly served its purpose since there are still people settled along the James today. The James River currently has many important communities along its banks. Communities including Columbia, Scottsvillle, Lynchburg, Warminster, and Buchanan are all found along the James River. The capital of Virginia, Richmond is also located along the James. (Safra, 498) The James River is not only the founding river of America, but is also still important to the people of Virginia today, housing the states capital right along its banks.

Part II Annotated Bibliography of Content Resources: Deans, B. (2007). The river where America began: Journey along the James. Lanham, MD: Rowman &Littlefield Publishers In this book of nonfiction, Deans gives the reader a full story of the James River beginning with the Native Americans settlement along the river, to the river becoming a part of the first English settlement, to the rivers role in the civil war, and finally to the river today. The book is told in an easy to read narrative, but is rich with information and facts all about the river from past to present. The story emphasizes the importance of the James River for America all through time. Grizzard, F., & Smith, D. (2007). Jamestown colony: A political, social, and cultural history. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC CLIO

This book is an overview of the whole Jamestown colony, but I specifically looked at the information on the James River, which is located on pages 98-99. Grizzard and Smith gave very specific details about the river including basic facts, as well the importance of the river throughout time. This book is helpful in seeing how the James River played an integral role in the creation of the Jamestown colony. History of Jamestown. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2013, from Historic Jamestown website, http://www.apva.org/history/) This Historic Jamestown website gives an in-depth summary of how Jamestown came to be and how the James River helped. The website offers information on the history of Jamestown, including a detailed timeline, as well as a list of further resources including an interactive map and an exhibit you could visit. Safra, J. (2007). The New Encyclopaedia Britannica (Vol. 6, pp.489). Chicago, IL: Encyclopaedia Brittanica Inc. The New Encyclopedia Brittanica is the perfect reference source for specific and reliable information about a particular topic. It was helpful in finding basic information on the James River. The description given about the James River was primarily its location and length, filled with specific facts, but no historical importance was mentioned. The James River Association .(n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2013, from James River Association website, http://www.jamesriverassociation.org/the-james-river/aboutthe-james

The James River Association created a great website with everything you would need to know about the river. The site provides information on the state of the James today, why the James is important, facts all about the James, river data, and ways to support the river today. The website is organized in an easy to navigate manner and has very accurate and up to date information on the river. Woodlief, A. (1985). In river time: The way of the James. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books. In this book of nonfiction based on the authors research and magnificent photographs, Woodlief explores the James River. Each of the nineteen chapters explores the river through a different facet. The book traces the course of the James River, describing the rivers history, ecology, and geography, as well as the relationship between people and the river. Woodliefs book is descriptive, accurate, and well organized making me feel as though I too experienced this river. Part III Bibliography of Teacher Resources: Carbone, E. (2006). Blood on the river: Jamestown 1607. New York, NY: Puffin Books Blood on the River is a great historical fiction book to teach students about the settlement of Jamestown. It offers a lot of valuable information about the James River, but presents it in an interesting and age-appropriate way for young students in grades 5-8. The story is entertaining, as well as informative and the students will become attached to the compelling characters and each of their adventures.

Jamestown. (n.d.) Teachers guide primary source set. September 29, 2013. Fromhttp://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/jamesto wn/pdf/teacher_guide.pdf This is a great teacher guide about the Jamestown settlement. It provides primary resources on the Jamestown settlement, as well as a list of suggested questions and activities for teachers to do with their students. This file also has additional resources and primary sources provided for teachers. River and place names. (n.d.). Virginia department of education. September 29, 2013.Fromhttp://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/science/elementary/lessons_ba y/lesson_plans/captain_smiths_bay/river_place_names.pdf. Virginias department of education provides teachers with this lesson plan about Virginias Chesapeake Bay region. A map of the bay is provided along with two columns of words, one column of words is a list of modern places and rivers and the other column is a list of past places and rivers. This is a great activity for children to work on their geography skills and for them to see how places change over time. Teachertube. (MHz Network) (2009). Focus on Virginia: The James River. Retrieved from http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=115686 Focus on Virginia: The James River video could be a great resource for the classroom. The video is only eight minutes long and tells the story of one mans adventure down the James River. The video uses real footage combined with clever cartoons to portray the importance of rivers in the economic and cultural development of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This video would be

very beneficial to show the children as they learn about the river, it is a nice supplement to what they read and hear about the river. The adventure starts here. (n.d.). James river expeditions . September 29, 2013. From http://jrava.org/expedition. This website offers field trips on the James River. The site offers a variety of river expedition trips ranging in dates and location. Teachers can take their students out on the actual James River and explore all that the river has to offer. The teacher can connect historical significance while physically exploring with their students. This hands-on experience would be a great way for the children to learn about the James River. Virtual Jamestown (n.d.). The virtual Jamestown . September 29, 2013. From http://www.virtualjamestown.org/interactive.html The Virtual Jamestown website would be a great hands-on learning tool for children. This site allows you to explore the settlements along the James River with great visuals, maps, and graphs. The maps are layered so you can see where the past settlements were in relation to modern cities today. The pictures are recreated scenes of what the river and settlements would have looked like, making you feel as though you are actually in the settlement in the 1600s.