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There is a reason why Shelburne Museum welcomes thousands of school children each year—it is an incredibly rich resource for learning about American history, industry, culture, and art.
Shelburne Museum’s educational programs are all about close looking, critical thinking, and nurturing creativity and art appreciation. As you explore, you will discover how our collections become tools for learning, exploration, and self-expression. Educators who connect with Shelburne Museum will have the opportunity to expand their own understanding of the stories our collections have to tell and the ways that art and material culture can support standards-based classroom learning. We welcome public, private, and homeschool students in grades pre-K to 12 and beyond.
All groups must make advance reservations. After reading the information below, please contact our School and Youth Programs Educator, Sara Wolfson, at education@shelburnemuseum.org or (802) 985-0922 with questions or to schedule a visit.
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Fall 2024
Available Monday-Friday, September 9th to October 18th
(except for Monday, October 14th)
Space is limited! We encourage you to inquire at your earliest convenience.
This fall, we’re thrilled to introduce three new Guided Visit workshops exploring themes in geography and visual arts, as well as a versatile Thinking Routine workshop designed to adapt to a range of educational goals.
We are committed to making Shelburne Museum learning experiences accessible to all. Please reach out if you need assistance covering admission fees. We also welcome inquiries about accessing limited funding available to help defray transportation costs.
If any of these workshops seem like a good fit for you and your students, please contact Sara Wolfson, School & Youth Programs Educator at education@shelburnemuseum.org or 802-985-0922 to register or with questions. In your inquiry, please include:
In this visual arts and arts integration-focused workshop, students will practice close looking and deeper thinking by using Thinking Routines to engage with artwork at the Museum. During a tour led by Shelburne Museum staff, students will make connections between the exhibition they are viewing and the role that museum curators play in creating an exhibition. Using their new knowledge and understanding of their selected exhibition, students will be challenged to tap into their own creativity to create a mixed-media artwork they believe would fit well in the exhibition they viewed.
Teachers/group leaders will be asked to select one exhibition that students will focus on for this program. We encourage educators to make their decisions based on which exhibition would be the best fit for their curriculum and learning goals. The exhibitions available for this program are either:
Embark on a journey through American history and explore the captivating world of trains in American visual culture during the transformative period of industrialization from 1840 to 1955.
Twelve multidisciplinary artists from the region tap into a rich tapestry of mediums and techniques to create their perceptions of the ethereal grounded in topics of mythology, environmentalism, the ideals of beauty, transformation, and gender and cultural identity.
What do maps tell us? How do they share that information with us? Why would people use maps?
In this workshop, students will explore the answers to those questions by studying a variety of historical and current maps. Students will then practice map-making by creating a map of a space at the Museum. The location that students focus on will be dependent on factors such as grade level, group size, and weather. This hands-on activity will teach them about spatial relationships and symbols and encourage them to slow down and notice the details of their surroundings.
School groups who participate in this workshop will also be provided with resources to find and engage with other maps throughout the Museum. We encourage you to use these resources either before or after your time in the guided workshop.
The workshop will be tailored to meet the varying needs of different grade levels, ensuring that the activities are age-appropriate and engaging for all participants.
In this workshop, participants will delve into Shelburne Museum’s collection with the guidance of a museum educator. They will engage in a variety of Thinking Routines crafted by Project Zero, a research center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. A Thinking Routine is a structured approach designed to help students develop deeper thinking and understanding. They typically involve a set of prompts or questions that guide learners in examining and analyzing information, making connections, and developing their ideas.
The workshop will be tailored to align with educational objectives, focusing on history/social studies, and visual arts. Thanks to the adaptable nature of Thinking Routines, we can customize the session to suit various grade levels, group sizes, and time constraints. Below are just a few examples of what a program could focus on:
American Paintings in Webb Gallery
All Aboard: The Railroad in American Art, 1840-1955
Steamboat Ticonderoga
General Store & Apothecary Shop
Available during our open season from May 13 – October 18, 2024
Self-guided visits are a great way for groups of all kinds to experience Shelburne Museum, and are especially popular with school, homeschool, and college groups along with summer camps and service organizations. Self-guided visits allow you to explore the Museum at your own pace and visit the exhibits and buildings your group is most excited to see. Upon request, we can provide guidance and educational resources to help you make the most of your time at the Museum.
Pricing:
Admission fees are $5 per student. Teachers and school staff are admitted free.
Chaperones admitted free up to a ratio of 1 chaperone per 10 students ($5 per chaperone above 1:10 ratio)
We are committed to making Shelburne Museum learning experiences accessible to all. Please reach out if you need assistance covering admission fees. We also welcome inquiries about accessing limited funding available to help defray transportation costs.
To register and with questions, please contact School & Youth Programs Educator Sara Wolfson at education@shelburnemuseum.org or 802-985-0922.