A great idea, explored

A partnership has been formed by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the education company Pearson. Through "The Idea of America," a new interactive, digital, Web-based curriculum, students will learn lessons from history and the principles of American citizenship by exploring 65 case studies of the nation's most important events, debating issues that changed America, listening to the perspectives of contemporary historians and accessing primary source documents.

Four pairs of contrasting American values - unity vs. diversity, private wealth vs. common wealth, law vs. ethics, and freedom vs. equality - are presented to guide the discussion of each case study, with every case study linking to a current event Web site where students can examine the issues in the context of the current political debate.

To learn more visit www.pearsonschool.com/IdeaofAmerica or follow "Colonial Williamsburg's The Idea of America" on Facebook.