The museum is a primary source and an excellent teaching resource. As a prelude to this activity, it is recommended that the teacher attends a professional development mini-workshop on native culture and history at the Museum. Story telling and Craft workshops are also offered.
Duration:
One School Day.
Transport, chaperon and food have to be arranged so that students are assembled and dismissed at school.
Instruction Methodology:
Inquiry learning
Materials
:
Anticipation Guides
Reservation Confirmation letter from Museum
Field trip permission slips from parents
Before the field trip, students will record their opinions in the first column of a graphic organizer –
The Anticipation Guide
. They will agree/disagree with the given statements about Native American Women or answer yes/no or true/false and give reasons.
Equipped with prior knowledge, students will go on a field trip to the Pequot Museum and examine a primary source of information. It is one of the nation's largest and most innovative Native American Educational institutions. At the museum, they will have a fascinating look at the history and living culture of the Pequots and other Native peoples and experience the past through state-of-the art interactive exhibits. It is a multi-sensory journey through time and the adventures take one to a land covered with glaciers. They will observe the artifacts and listen to the explanations given by the guide. Groups are free to explore the
exhibits on their own at the end of their guided tour. Tours most appropriate for this age group (11 years) are "Gifts of the Land and Waters" and "Through the eyes of a Pequot child" .The duration of each guided tour is one hour. Students discover why Native Americans have great respect for the natural world and why resources are valued as "gifts." They observe how stone, bone, shell and wood are transformed into useful tools. They explore the seasonal dioramas and learn how each of the seasons brings different gifts – vegetables, fish and game – obtained from both land and water.
The tours focus on land, people, community and family. Students view filmstrips and visit the half- acre recreated Pequot Indian village. (audio-tour) They imagine what life was like in the 16th century. On their return, they will complete the second column of the Anticipation Guide after reviewing the statements. This develops their critical thinking skills. The students learn through discovery.
As an extension activity to the field-trip and to reinforce certain values, the Museum Outreach Program brings a Museum Educator into the classroom. He tells stories and brings artifacts for the children to handle. This hands-on activity helps the children to visualize natural resources.
