Public Displays of Contention

Learners think like historians while discovering new World War I artifacts. Teach them how to gather and analyze evidence with pre-assessment, modeling, cooperative learning, and homework activities.

Museums offer more than interesting exhibits—they are key to keeping history alive. An immersive activity uses a virtual field trip to show academics the importance of museums in preserving history. Young historians learn how museums are...

Although designed for the Canadian War Museum, the concept here is a solid one. Class members select an artifact from the First World War, examine it, research it, and craft an explanative label that they attach to their picture and post...

A 12-minute virtual tour introduces viewers to the newest exhibition at the Plymouth Plantation museum. The video, featuring artifacts from an archaeological dig at historic Patuxet and Plymouth, begins with Wampanoag displays and moves...

A curated exhibit at a museum has a point of view. Artifacts are selected and arranged to cause viewers to contemplate this point of view or theme. An interactive provides class members with an opportunity to create an exhibit, to curate...

How did the tradition of collecting and displaying interesting items to the public begin? How have museums evolved over time? Offer your young historians a fascinating look into a cultural pastime we so often take for granted in the...

Young scholars view a video about the value of museums. They discover how they preserve history and culture and at the same time educate the public. They discuss other ways they can learn history.

Students design 'mini museums' that exhibit both historic and current artifacts and information associated with specific professions. They then display and defend their work in class gallery talks and exhibitions.

Practice responding to controversial information with the New York Times lesson provided here. Middle schoolers watch a video interview with the director of The Lost Tomb of Jesus. After reading a companion article, they identify the...

Students observe and evaluate evidence of Alaska Native cultural symbols and artifacts. They research historical data from a variety of primary resources, including the Harriman expedition journals, related web sites, oral accounts,...