Fairfax County Students Take a Journey to Ancient China

Beginning Nov. 21, nearly 21,000 Fairfax County third-graders and their teachers will begin an extensive educational trip to ancient China. The “field trip” is made possible through an interactive CD-ROM produced by the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art (Jefferson Drive at 12th Street S.W.) and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (1050 Independence Ave. S.W.), Fairfax County Public Schools and a generous anonymous donor.

The CD, “Chi’s Adventures in Ancient China,” allows students to take a virtual tour of the Sackler Gallery and learn about everyday life in China during ancient times. Students are able to learn about the clothing, food, writing, ceremonies, buildings, industry and transportation of ancient China through viewing artifacts from different angles, seeing how such objects were produced, learning about the use of objects and completing activities and tutorials at the end of each section of the CD. “We are so pleased to be part of such an exciting project,” Milo Beach director of the Freer and Sackler galleries said. “Through this CD and similar projects, as well as our web site, we hope that we can continue to be in the classrooms of students throughout the country.”

Developed by a collaborative team of museum educators and curators, Fairfax County curriculum supervisors and teachers, the CD supports the county’s curriculum and the Virginia Standards of Learning. “Use of this CD will provide young children with an interactive and highly motivating way to study daily life in ancient China,” said Sara Shoob Fairfax County K-12 social studies coordinator. “Students who previewed the CD last spring absolutely loved it.”

The Freer Gallery of Art (12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W.) and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (1050 Independence Ave. S.W.) together form the national museum of Asian art for the United States. The Freer also houses a major collection of late 19th and early 20th-century American art. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and admission is free. Public tours are offered daily. The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information, the public may call 202.357.2700 or TTY 202.357.1729, or visit the galleries’ Web site at asia.si.edu.