Museum Celebrates National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4 – 8

Free Mini-Lesson Plans, Educator Q+A’s, Giveaways, and Other Virtual Resources for Educators and Parents

The Museum of the American Revolution is celebrating educators during National Teacher Appreciation Week from Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8, 2020. Throughout the week, visit the Museum’s website and follow along on social media to learn about the history of education in America with video explorations of the Museum’s galleries, at-home activities, giveaways, and conversations with the education team. 

Education has always been a cornerstone of our democratic republic. Tune into the Museum’s Facebook page on Tuesday, May 5 at 1 p.m. for a video exploration of our “Educating Citizens” gallery with Tyler Putman, Manager of Gallery Interpretation. Learn how important education became in the years following the Revolutionary War and discover how parents were teaching their children from home in the early republic, much as people are doing today.

To help provide resources for teachers (and parents who have recently found themselves homeschooling), the Museum is releasing new free weekly mini-lesson plans that can be taught virtually on its website and Facebook beginning on Monday, May 4. The lesson plans feature activities, provocative discussion questions, and primary sources, based on the Museum’s rich collection of artifacts and the diverse stories told in its exhibits.

The lesson plans explore topics including the role of museums, types of revolutions, and the people, causes, events and repercussions of the American Revolution. They are targeted at the middle school level but can easily be adapted for upper elementary and high school students. Teachers and students are welcome to connect with the Museum’s education team by emailing [email protected].

On Wednesday, May 6 at Noon, join us on Instagram for a special live Q&A with Adrienne Whaley, Senior Manager of K-12 Education, and Michael Hensinger, Manager of School Programs. Find out what it’s like to be a Museum educator and ask your most pressing educational questions.

In the early United States, boys and girls often learned patriotic sentiments through their lessons, which often included basic sewing skills. Learn how to make your own sampler—a piece of embroidery or cross-stitching—at home using embroidery floss, a piece of linen or muslin, a needle, and a pattern. 

Share samples of your students’ work on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tag @AmRevMuseum for a chance to win daily prizes.

The Museum’s other virtual resources include:Virtual Field Trip: Go behind-the-scenes at the Museum with Scholastic’s “Beyond the Battlefield” Virtual Field Trip with host Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived series of children’s historical fiction novels.

• Virtual Museum Tour: Experience the Museum’s award-winning, immersive galleries with 360-degree views in our Virtual Museum Tour.
• Additional Resources for Educators: Find make-at-home crafts and activities, a “Color the Collection” coloring book based on treasures from the Museum’s collection, curated lists of thought-provoking books about the American Revolution for kids, and archived virtual storytimes.

The Museum's Teacher Appreciation Week celebration is sponsored by American Heritage Credit Union.

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.