Unless you live in Pennsylvania, you probably can’t load the school bus and head to the Museum of the American Revolution.
I had the privilege of visiting this top-notch museum during a family vacation soon after they opened in April 2017. If you ever have the chance to visit in person, this museum is simply amazing. They even have George Washington’s field tent.
Since I can’t take my students to the museum, the next best thing is doing a virtual field trip while we are studying the American Revolution.
The Museum of the American Revolution has two great (and FREE) options for virtual study: A Virtual Field Trip and a Virtual Museum Tour.
Beyond the Battlefield: Virtual Field Trip
This online field trip, hosted by I Survived author, Lauren Tarshis, is geared toward students and takes them through an engaging tour of the American Revolution.
In addition to the streaming field trip, the page linked below contains a link to a classroom kit. I definitely recommend that you download this kit because it has a vocabulary list and discussion questions for grade bands 2-4, 4-6, and 6-8.
Link to Beyond the Battlefield: A Virtual Field Trip
How does this virtual field trip work in my classroom?
The cool thing about virtual field trips is that I can use them face-to-face in my classroom or I can create virtual learning plans using these resources.
- If possible, we read I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis (linked below), either as a classroom read-aloud or in book clubs. (For more information on setting up and using history book clubs, click here.)
- We watch the 25 minute virtual field trip.
- I assign the appropriate discussion questions to students or groups of students.
Virtual Museum Tour
The museum’s collections are online in a virtual museum tour format. It’s just like walking through the museum because you can choose to look closer or “zoom out.” There are a lot of great view options, like Tearing Down the King, Winter Patriots, War at Sea, and more.
Link to the Virtual Museum Tour
The museum provides four guiding questions for students to consider as they look at the galleries. I use these questions with my students to help them analyze the information and displays.
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Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with the Museum of the American Revolution in any way. I just love the free online resources provided and I want to share them with you!
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4 Comments
Jenifer,
I want to thank you for sharing all your resources. Never before has it been more important for teachers to unite for the better good of our millions of students who are learning from home. Educators such as you, have selflessly and tirelessly sent resources, lesson plans, online tips, etc. my way and I am truly grateful. I have a child of my own at home and we begin her online schooling this week. I know it would be overwhelming without teachers like you sharing what you have to make planning lessons less stressful and time consuming. Thank you for all you are doing as an educator, to make this difficult time a little easier.
Sincerely,
Nina
You are so welcome, Nina! I sincerely appreciate your kind words and compliments. I wish you all of the best in your home learning efforts. I’m sure you will do great! Your daughter is fortunate to have such an involved mama.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU for sharing. This is great for my ESL students
So glad to hear that, Alma! Thank you for your comment 🙂