You are very lucky! I contacted your U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and secured passes for a tour of the U.S. Capital Building and gallery passes for the Senate and the House of Representatives.

A Tour of the U.S. Capital Welcome to the U.S. Capitol Building, you are going to experience a fantastic tour of one of the most important buildings in the United States! I know you will be amazed with all of the history, architecture and even a peek into what going right now in the House of Representative and Senate. Its time to put your clearance stickers on as we are about to go in to the U.S. Capitol!

Our Plan for the Day. We will first view the entire perimeter of the building, I want you to pay close attention to the architecture of this magnificent building! I hope you have a good pair of walking show on, because we are going to be putting them to good use! We will then enter the visitor center, please make sure you don’t bring in any items that are not allowed into the capital. Once we are through security our first stop on our tour will be The United States Capitol is the Rotunda. This magnificent architecture will amaze you. Our second stop will be the Old Supreme Court Chamber. Then the Senate Chambers early in the morning before action heats up! Next is the Presidents Chamber

What does the Capital look like right now! 1. Describe what you see when you arrive at the Capital, give specific details. Our a bus has arrived at the Capitol

Activity: 2. – 6. Keep a list of 5 unique architectural structures that you see as your tour the outside of the capital, use the links below. Complete Virtual Capitol Activity- spend about 10 minutes with it. Walk the perimeter of the Capitol!

Visitor Safety and Policy & Items that are prohibited to bring into the capital building Activity 7. – 11. Make a list of the 5 most unique items that you cannot bring into the U.S. Capitol

Hanging in the Rotunda you will see four giant canvases painted that are scenes of the American Revolution.

The Rotunda The Rotunda is the heart and center of the Capitol. Special events take place here like visiting heads of state and special guests are often received in the Rotunda, and many historic events have been celebrated there. President Obama’s inauguration luncheon took place here

The Old Senate Chambers 12. Activity: Make a list of historic events that took place in the old Senate Chambers. Be Sure to use the 3D view of the chambers!

Now for the current Senate Chambers early in the morning before action heats up! Activity: 13. Find out who serves as the President of the Senate

You never know who you will meet in the President’s Room! Activity 14. Make a list of all the Historic Events in the President's Room.

Lunch Time After lunch we will hopefully see the Senate and the House of Representatives in action. Enjoy you lunch.

Activity: Watch 15 minutes in the gallery of the senate and 15 Minutes in the gallery of the House of Representatives. While viewing remember the proper etiquette that we discussed. You need to take minutes of the topics being discussed. Live Senate Live House of Representatives Time to go into the Chambers, be on your best behavior, and listen to the Capitol Police Officers instructions and seating assignment.

Wow its been a long day at the Capitol Before our bus departs lets see what the capitol looks like at sunset. Enjoy the view!

Time for our bus to head back to school. You did a great job, hope you had a great time on the trip.

Reference of sites used in Virtual Field Trip