The Value of a Museum

Trustee: Cathy Bonner
Subject: Humanities, History
Topic: Social Studies (Collective History)
Grade Level: 9-10
Time: 45 minutes

View how this fits state standards

View the video or read the transcript

Materials:

• Computer with Internet access, external speakers, and a LCD projector OR access to a computer lab with Internet access and headphones for each student
• Updated Media Player recommended. Download QuickTime. Problems playing? Check our Media Help page.
• Overhead projector
• A flipchart & colored markers
• Students’ notebooks
• Student Worksheets (MS Word, PDF)
• Download Lesson Plan (MS Word, PDF)

Learning Objectives

Students will:
1. recognize the role of the museum in preserving history and educating the public; and
2. compare alternative ways and places of learning history.

PREVIEWING (20 minutes)

NOTE: The lesson plans associated with Cathy Bonner (titled: “Networking for Nonprofits,” “Women’s Contributions,” and “The Value of a Museum”) can be sequenced or used independently.

1. At the beginning of the class, show a list of quotes using an overhead projector and distribute the WORKSHEET. Ask students to guess the missing word. (The missing word is MUSEUM). Ask students if they agree or disagree with any particular quote.

2. Invite students to share with a person sitting next to them their experience of going to a museum - whether or not they have been to a museum, what kind of a museum, what they learned from that trip, what the most memorable exhibits was/were, what other museums they have been to or would like to visit). Allow 6-7 minutes for students to discuss. Ask several pairs to share what they have learned from their partners.

3. Ask the class to reflect on the experience of going to a museum. On the board, write the following questions and ask students to work in groups of 3-4 to answer them:

• What is the purpose of museums?
• What kinds of things become museum exhibits?
• What artifacts of today’s life will find their places in museums of the future?

4. Invite students to share their answers with the class.

5. Tell students they are going to watch a video about the Women’s History Museum.

VIEWING & DISCUSSION (20 minutes)

1. As a class, watch the brief Cathy Bonner video, which can be accessed online at www.americantrusteesproject.org. If you have difficulties accessing the videos, please visit our Media Help page.

2. Ask students if they would like to visit the Women’s Museum? Why or why not? Let the students compare their notes, then on the board create a comprehensive list of things observed.

NOTE: For an alternate activity, split the class in 2-3 groups and let them work on pulling the notes together to make a comprehensive list. After groups present their lists to the whole class (preferably on a poster), vote on the most observant group.

3. Ask students to consider whether or not it was difficult to find exhibits for the museum and whether or not visitors would have a unique learning experience in that museum.

4. Ask students about how they prefer to learn history. Elicit answers and ask for justifications. Direct students’ attention to WORKSHEET 2 and ask them to complete it in pairs. They should also provide one additional place where history can be learned.

5. Monitor students as they complete the task. When they finish, invite partners to form bigger groups and share their ideas.

6. Briefly go over the handout and focus on the alternative places that students suggested. Encourage students to present their ‘alternative place’ explaining pros and cons of learning history there.

ASSESSMENT

Students may be assessed on:
1. presentation skills;
2. summation of bullet points; and
3. participation in class discussion.

• Women's Contributions
  
  Trustee: Cathy Bonner
  Grade: 7-12
  Time: 85-90 minutes
  Description: Students will use textbooks to explore how women are presented in history.
  
  
• The Value of A Museum
  
  Trustee: Cathy Bonner
  Grade Level: 9-10
  Subjects: Humanities, History, Civics
  Time: 45-50 minutes
  Description: Students will explore the differences and similarities beween museums and other places of learning.
  
  
• Networking for Nonprofits
  
  Trustee: Cathy Bonner
  Grade Level: 7-8,9-12
  Subjects: Civic Education, Government
  Time: 85-90 minutes
  Description: Help students recognize the importance of networking and fundraising for businesses and non-profit organization.
  
  
• Involved for Change
  
  Trustee: Cathy Bonner, Barney Flores, or Barbara Brown
  Grade: 10-12
  Time: 90 minutes
  Description: Students will complete a biographical sketch of a local community leader.
  
  
• (Re) Presenting Women
  
  Trustee: Cathy Bonner
  Grade Level: 6-8
  Time: 50-60 minutes
  Description: Students will research a civil liberities issue in women's history and create a mock museum exhibit.
  
  

AND if desired,
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