The James River is one of the most precious resources of Virginia. It was the site of the first permanent English settlement in the New World; the power of the water at the Fall Zone was a major factor in the development of Richmond; and the river served as a primary transportation route to the West via the Kanawha Canal. Both the water itself and the fish and shellfish it has produced have been used by humans for centuries. Management of the river is a complex problem involving ecological questions which are often influenced by both political and economic considerations. The activities in "River Times", a social studies program for students in grades 4 through 9, deal with both the geology and ecology of the James and the cultural history of the Capital region from the settling of Jamestown to the present. Students are introduced to the concept that environmental management is interdisciplinary in nature. Several of the activities encourage students to enlist the aid of their parents in answering questions or completing projects. The activity guide is based upon the following concepts: (1) the James River is a major geological feature in Virginia; (2) clean water is crucial to human, plant, and animal life; and (3) people's perceptions of the James River has changed over time. Black and white photographs, maps, drawings, reproductions of old prints and other graphics illustrate the text. (TW)