Submitted by dresch on
November 8 and 9, 2012
9:45 a.m.–2 p.m.
Talk, laugh, listen, write, and play with English Language Arts (ELA) skills while exploring museum exhibits for inspiration. Mini-lessons facilitated by museum educators throughout the exhibits focus on the following 6+1 Traits of Writing: Sentence Fluency, Ideas, Word Choice, and Voice. Students receive personalized ELA skills handbooks to take notes and bring back to school.
Themed visits give students a chance to experience the museum in new ways. Activities begin at 9:45 a.m. and end at 2 p.m., but classes may arrive and depart at anytime during that period.
Before your visit
- Divide students into groups of 5 or fewer and assign each group a chaperon.
- Discuss field trip expectations and lunch plans with chaperons and students.
- Role-play museum etiquette with students.
- Make sure all students bring a pencil and notebook to the visit. Plan to have a chaperon bring a bag that can accommodate students' pencils and notebooks so items can be contained while students play.
During your Theme Day experience
- Museum educators will greet you with activity guides and maps.
- Exciting, theme-related activity stations will be staffed by museum educators.
- Students and chaperons will enjoy free exploration time throughout the museum. Students and chaperons must stay together throughout the visit.
Activities to enhance your Theme Day experience
- Familiarize students with the 6+1 Traits of Writing.
- Before your visit, have students write a first draft of an essay. Museum educators suggest “When I Was Young” as the essay’s theme.
- After your visit, ask students to revise their essays based on the skills learned during your visit.
