Curated OER
Every Object Tells a Story
Students read the story behind objects in the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and create a story about an object in the exhibit. In this design lesson, students explore the "Design for the Other 90%" exhibition and create a...
Curated OER
Pursuit of Meaning
Students study art based on the theme "The Pursuit of Meaning." In this art instructional activity, students research the role of a museum curator and create a proposal and exhibit catalog based on the theme "The Pursuit of Meaning."
Curated OER
Good Inventions
Students explore global challenges and technological solutions to them. They curate a related museum exhibit titled 'Technology Benefiting Humanity.'
Curated OER
Not Just Books
Students consider uses of a library and explore the collections at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City, and create proposals for exhibits of various artifacts.
Curated OER
Lots to See and Learn There Is
Young scholars investigate hands-on learning opportunities. In this current events instructional activity, students visit the Star Wars exhibition, the National Gallery, or Global Leap online or in-person to discover the learning...
Curated OER
Digital Field Trip Report
Students create a series of guided tours through a museum, creating a virtual museum for others to acess using audio, images, and an iPod. Their reflections serve as a way to allow other students that are unable to attend the field trip...
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That's News to Me!
Students read about the Newseum and create their own museum exploring various aspects of news media.
Curated OER
Asian Museum Exhibit
Seventh graders role play the role of a curator of a local museum. In groups, they develop a new exhibit on Asia. They research specific countries in Southeast Asia and present their exhibit to the class. Art must also be included in...
Curated OER
Visit to Ackland Art Museum (African Masks Exhibit)
Second graders observe and describe the similarities and differences in the African Mask exhibit at the Ackland Art Museum. They use describing words to express the feelings of the masks.
Curated OER
Ancient Cyprus: The Cesnola Collection at the Semitic Museum, Harvard University
Ninth graders review what they already know about ancient civilizations. Before visiting the museum, they complete a pre-test on Cyprus and how trade is important to the island. During the visit, they travel in small groups to examine...
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The "Me" Exhibit
Students collects artifacts from home that they feel describe themselves. They write captions for each artifact and display them for their classmates.
Curated OER
A Passage Through Time
Young learners research and present information about a chosen subject to their peers, parents, instructors, and community. This lesson plan has a strong research and public speaking component, and would be ideal for your higher level...
Curated OER
Benjamin Franklin: Goods and Services in Colonial America
Fifth graders examine the impact of Benjamin Franklin's ideas on the goods and services available in Colonial America as well as analyze the importance of Franklin to modern society. While listening to "How Ben Franklin Stole the...
US House of Representatives
Women Pioneers on Capital Hill, 1917–1934
As part of a study of the women elected to Congress from 1917 to 1934, groups research and then design a museum exhibit that describes the life and the congressional service of one of these women.
US House of Representatives
A Growing Diversity, 1993–2017
Connect current events to the roles of AAPI members in Congress. Activities include tracing the impact of the Vietnam War on today's representatives. Learners have various options to explore, including role-play exercises and creating a...
PBS
Baseball: The Tenth Inning
The intent of this resource is to explore Latin American accomplishments in baseball, recognizing the changes in demographics of players over the last century. Social studies classes begin with a discussion and brainstorm surrounding...
Curated OER
Classifying Shells
Pupils observe and classify different types of shells. They compare and contrast an exhibit they created with one that already exists in a musuem. They discover the different characteristics of shells.
Curated OER
Artists in Colonial America
High schoolers visit the Memorial Art Gallery's exhibit, "About Face: Copley's Portrait of a Colonial Silversmith." They complete a worksheet based on the career of John SIngleton Copley as a colonial American artist. They experience the...
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Identifying Minerals
Students compare and constrast a wide variety of minerals and rocks. They test them for streak, luster, color and other characteristics. They view an exhibit and compare their answers to them.
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The Real Spirit Within Expressionistic Portraits
Students study the life and art of George Rounalt as they examine his painting, "The Clown." They study the Nazi campaign against modern art such as the Degenerate Art exhibition of 1937. Finally, they create an original piece of art...
Curated OER
The Grapes of Wrath: Scrapbooks and Artifacts
High schoolers complete research to enhance their reading of "The Grapes of Wrath". Using the text, they identify and locate cultural artifacts and discuss their symbolic connotations. As a class, they create a museum exhibit of the...
Curated OER
Portraits as Keys to History: Nathaniel Hurd, portraiture, identity
Students view portraits of Nathanial Hurd. They complete a worksheet and identify differences between the portraits. This lesson plan finishes with a visit to the "About Face" exhibit in the Memorial Art Gallery.
Curated OER
Curious Curators
Students write a theme statement for a collection of diverse objects. Using the internet, they research and write descriptions of various artifact. They role play the role of a museum curator and produce a museum style exhibition. ...
Curated OER
Photographs and History
Students prepare for a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC, to preview a photo exhibit (specifically of James Van Der Zee). This lesson could be adapted when viewing any photo exhibit.