Day 1: A New State Is Born

Time: About 15 minutes

Introduction: The Hook and Objectives — 2 minutes

Ask Troy:

“Imagine that part of a state decides, ‘We want to create our own state.’ What problems might that cause? What would the new state need in order to succeed?”

Tell Troy: “Today we will learn how West Virginia became a state during one of the most difficult times in American history. By the end, you will be able to explain why it happened and when it happened.”

I Do: Teacher or Parent Explanation — 4 minutes

Explain the following in clear, simple language:

• Before 1863, West Virginia was part of the state of Virginia.
• During the Civil War, Virginia joined the Confederacy, but many people in the western counties of Virginia did not agree.
• The western counties were farther from Virginia’s eastern government and had different geography, industries, and political ideas.
• Leaders from the western counties created a new government called the “Restored Government of Virginia.”
• Congress approved a new state, and West Virginia officially became the 35th state on June 20, 1863.

Use a map to point out that the western part of Virginia contains many mountains and valleys. Explain that these features made travel and communication difficult in the 1800s.

We Do: Map Detective — 4 minutes

Look at a map together. Ask Troy to find or discuss:

1. Where West Virginia is located.
2. Which states border West Virginia.
3. Examples of mountains, rivers, or valleys.

Discuss this question:

“How might mountains and rivers affect where people live, how they travel, and how communities communicate?”

Quick check: Ask Troy to complete this sentence aloud: “West Virginia became a separate state because…”

You Do: Statehood Timeline — 4 minutes

Have Troy create a three-part timeline in his notebook:

1. Before 1863: Western Virginia was part of Virginia.
2. During the Civil War: Many western Virginians opposed Virginia joining the Confederacy.
3. June 20, 1863: West Virginia became a state.

Ask Troy to add a small symbol or drawing beside each event, such as a map, a mountain, or a state flag.

Closure — 1 minute

Ask Troy to answer:

• What year did West Virginia become a state?
• What was one reason western Virginians wanted a separate state?
• How could geography have influenced the decision?

Preview Day 2: “Next time, you will become a tour guide and show why West Virginia’s land and resources made it important.”

Day 2: The Mountain State Tour

Time: About 15 minutes

Introduction and Review — 2 minutes

Ask Troy to recall the statehood date and explain why West Virginia separated from Virginia.

Say: “Today we will connect West Virginia’s history to its mountains, rivers, forests, and natural resources.”

I Do: Connecting Geography to History — 3 minutes

Explain these examples:

• Mountains: Made travel difficult but helped create separate communities and protected forests.
• Rivers: Helped people travel, move goods, and build towns.
• Coal: Became an important natural resource and supported mining communities and jobs.
• Forests: Provided timber and supported industries, wildlife, and outdoor recreation.

Emphasize that geography does not just describe a place—it can influence how people live, work, travel, and make decisions.

We Do: Choose a Tour Stop — 3 minutes

Let Troy choose one topic:

• A mountain community
• A river town
• A coal-mining town
• A forest or outdoor recreation area

Together, complete these questions:

1. What natural feature is found there?
2. How did people use or depend on it?
3. What challenge might people face there?

You Do: “Welcome to West Virginia” Challenge — 5 minutes

Troy creates one of the following:

• A short travel advertisement
• A postcard
• A one-minute audio or video tour
• A mini museum display

The project must include:

• The phrase “West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863.”
• One fact about West Virginia’s statehood.
• Two facts about its geography or natural resources.
• One explanation of how geography affected people’s lives.

Encourage creativity. Troy may write from the point of view of a historical guide, a newspaper reporter, a visitor, or a person living in West Virginia in 1863.

Summative Assessment and Feedback — 1 minute

Review Troy’s project using this checklist:

• 4: Includes all required facts and clearly explains the connection between geography and history.
• 3: Includes most required facts with a generally clear explanation.
• 2: Includes some accurate facts but needs more detail or clarification.
• 1: Needs significant help identifying accurate facts and explaining connections.

Give specific feedback using this sentence frame: “One strong part of your project was ____. One detail you could improve is ____.”

Differentiation and Choice

• Support: Provide sentence starters such as “West Virginia became a state because…” and “The mountains affected people by…”. Allow Troy to answer orally instead of writing.
• Visual support: Use a labeled map, timeline, or simple sketches.
• Challenge: Ask Troy to research the Wheeling Conventions, the Restored Government of Virginia, or the debate over West Virginia statehood.
• Creative extension: Have Troy design a 10-cent statehood stamp or write a newspaper headline from June 20, 1863.
• Homeschool option: Record the tour as an audio presentation or discuss it during a walk.
• Classroom or training option: Have learners work in pairs and present different “tour stops.”

Final Recap

Ask Troy to give a 30-second answer to this prompt:

“Why is West Virginia more than just a place on a map?”

Look for an answer that mentions West Virginia’s statehood in 1863, its separation from Virginia, and the influence of its mountains, rivers, forests, or coal on its history.