Educational Programs
The Frazier International History Museum offers several kinds of visits for school groups.
Comprehensive Museum Programs
This type of program combines all of our unique resources into one visit. Led by a professional Museum Educator, students participate in a hands-on session in the Museum Classroom, embark on gallery explorations in small groups (facilitated by their chaperones), and watch one 15-20 minute live performance (performances are scheduled based on the program, actor availability and grade level of the students).
The Days of Knights
Grades: K through 3
Especially designed for young learners, this program uses primary and secondary sources to teach children about knights and the middle ages. During the classroom session children listen to a story, handle reproduction armor, and create their own shield to take home. Observation and team building skills are put to the test during the scavenger hunt in the galleries. Students might meet an archer during a live performance of “Day in the Life: Middle Ages” or watch a sword fight such as “Two Handed Sword Combat.” Core Content: SS-E-5.1.2 / SS-E-5.1.1 / AH-E-HA-U-1 / RD-E-2.0.7
Cost: $6.00 per student
Length: 2 hours
Group Size: Maximum of 70 students / Minimum of 15
Cowboys: Stories of the American West
Grades: K through 3
During this engaging program for young learners, children will uncover myths about cowboys and the American West. In the classroom children listen to a story, handle cowboy gear and create their own cattle brand. Students travel the “Frazier Trail” as they work in teams to complete their exhibit scavenger hunt and examine artifacts from the time period. Students meet a cowboy and hear about life out west during an interactive performance.
Core Content: SS-E-5.1.2 / SS-E-5.1.1 / SS-E-2.1.1 / RD-E-2.0.7 / AH-E-HA-U-1
Cost: $6.00 per student
Length: 2 hours
Group Size: Maximum of 70 students / Minimum of 15
Kentucky Pioneers and Tools of the Trade
Grades: 4 and 5
What tools did pioneers use to settle Kentucky? Students learn about early settlers as well as the hardships they faced. During the classroom session students put their observational skills to work as they explore tools from the past and make predications about their uses. Working in small teams in the galleries, students complete an investigation guide about the history of Kentucky. The program concludes with a live performance such as “Day in the Life: Frontier Woman” or “John Floyd.”
Core Content: SS-E-4.3.2 / SS-E-5.1.2 / SS-E-5.2.2 / RD-E-3.0.6 / AH-E-HA-U-1
Cost: $6.00 per student
Length: 2 hours
Group Size: Maximum of 70 students / Minimum of 15
Indiana Pioneers and Tools of the Trade
Grades: 4 and 5
We’ve taken the format of our successful Kentucky history program and revised it specifically for students from Indiana. Please review the description of “Kentucky Pioneers and Tools of the Trade” for more details.
Core Content: Social Studies 4.1.1 / 4.4.3 / 4.5.5 / Language Arts 4.2.1 / 4.2.8
Cost: $6.00 per student
Length: 2 hours
Group Size: Maximum of 70 students / Minimum of 15
Armor of Yesterday and Today
Grades: 3 through 8
How have people protected themselves over the centuries? Students answer that question by using their observational skills and historic inquiry in both the Museum Classroom and the Galleries. Students handle different types of reproduction armor and discover first-hand how armor has changed over time. Elementary students put their scientific minds to work as they examine where armor is evident in nature. Middle School students focus on the armor and weaponry of the middle ages, tournaments and heraldry.
The live performance might include “Arming the Knight,” “Hand and Half Sword Combat” or “Day in the Life: The Middle Ages.”
Core Content: SS-E-5.1.2 / SS-E- 2.4.1/ SC-E-3.1.1 / PL-E- 1.6.2 / SS-M- 2.4.1 / SS-M- 5.3.4 / SS-M- 5.1.2 / PL-M-1.6.3
Cost: $6.00 per student
Length: 2 hours
Group Size: Maximum of 70 students / Minimum of 15
Declaring Your Independence
Grades: 5 through 8
The Declaration of Independence is central to the American story. What made some colonists so angry they were willing to risk their lives to gain independence? Students address this question as they act out a modern day situation relating to one of the taxes or acts leading up to the American Revolution. The other students guess which tax/act the skit relates to and why. In the galleries, students work on investigation guides to learn about other groups who fought for their independence throughout American history. History comes to life, as students view a performance such as “Patriots or Traitors”, “Molly Pitcher” or “The Battle of Trenton.”
Core Content: SS-E- 5.1.3 / SS-E-5.1.2 / SS-E-5.2.4 / RD-E-3.0.6 / AH-E-HA-U-1 / SS-M-1.3.1 / SS-M-5.2.2
Cost: $6.00 per student
Length: 2 hours
Group Size: Maximum of 70 students / Minimum of 15
History Mystery
Grades: 6 through 8
Taking place entirely in the museum galleries, History Mystery is a structured yet interactive program that leads students on a search for historical clues. Students work in small groups with their chaperones to discover a mystery artifact. By answering questions about US and world history, students find clues in the museum exhibits that solve the history mystery. Professional Museum Educators are on hand to help in your exploration. Also includes a live historic performance that ties into your unit of study.
Core Content: SS-M-4.2.2 / SS-M-4.3.2 / SS-M-5.1.3 / SS-M-5.1.2
Cost: $6.00 per student
Length: 2 hours
Group Size: Maximum of 120 students / Minimum of 15
Lincoln Bicentennial Programming
The Frazier International History Museum is offering a combination of unique exhibits, programs, and live performances to honor this important anniversary in American history.
Liberty on the Border program
Grades: 4 through 12
Length: 2 hours
Maximum of 60 students / Minimum of 15
Availability: October 6, 2008 through January 18, 2009
Cost: $6.00 per student
Led by a professional Museum Educator, students participate in an interactive session that includes a visit to the Liberty on the Border exhibit and a 15-20 minute live performance. Potential performances include “The Great Debate: Lincoln and Douglas”, “Day in the Life of a Civil War Soldier”, “Young Abe Lincoln” and “Clara Barton.”
Core Content: SS-E-2.4.1 / SS-E-5.1.3 / SS-M-5.1.3 / SS-M-5.1.2 / SS-M-5.2.4 / SS-H-2.4.1 / SS-H-5.2.1
Brother Against Brother program
Grades: 4 and 5
Length: 2 hours
Maximum of 35 students / Minimum of 15
Availability: Only available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays
Cost: $6.00 per student
During this one-of-a-kind program students gain an understanding of the important role that Kentucky played during the American Civil War. Teams of students complete a Civil War investigation guide in the galleries. This lays the foundation for the live, interactive performance by one of the museum’s historic interpreters. The actor portrays both a Union and Confederate soldier from Kentucky to demonstrate both perspectives during the Civil War. Students are a part of the action by learning marching drills, bandaging a wounded soldier, and handling objects from a haversack.
Core Content: SS-E-2.4.1 / SS-E-5.1.3 / SS-E-5.2.4 / RD-E-3.0.6
Abraham Lincoln in Song (Two Days Only!)
Grades: 3 through 12
Length: One Hour
Maximum of 150
Availability: September 26 and 29, 2008 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Cost: $6.00 per student
Award –winning folksinger Chris Vallillo uses historic narratives, contemporary folk music and period folk songs Lincoln may have known and sung as a way to bring Lincoln and his times to life. Using vintage instruments including six-string and bottle-neck slide guitars, the songs and histories give the listener a better understanding of what drove the interests and passions of one of America’s greatest presidents. Endorsed by the National Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, this special program is not to be missed!
Core Content: SS-E-2.24, 2.25, 2.26 / SS-E-5.1.3 / AH-E-2.1.1 / SS-M-5.2.4 / AH-HS-HA-U-1
Ulysses S. Grant (One Day Only!)
Grades: 4 through 12
Length: one hour
Maximum of 150 students
Availability: ONE DAY ONLY - November 18th 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Cost: $6.00 per student
Here is a unique chance to meet the most famous Union General in the Civil War. U.S. Grant will describe life during the tumultuous days of the War Between the States and give an in-depth look at a man who was to become our 18th President. The program will last one-hour, with time for questions.
Core Content: SS-E-5.1.3 / SS-M-5.2.4 / SS-H-2.4.1 / AH-HS-HA-U-1
John Wilkes Booth
Grades: 5 through 12
Length: one hour
Maximum of 40 students / Minimum of 15
Availability: Begins October 1, 2008 / Thursdays only
Cost: $6.00 per student
During this live performance students will learn about the life of one of America’s most infamous and complex personalities. What was his childhood like? What drove this well-known actor to kill President Lincoln? What happened on the manhunt? These questions, and many more, will be answered as students hear the story from several different viewpoints. Through this experience students will gain a better understanding of America during the mid-1800s and how one man’s destructive decision changed the nation forever.
Core Content: SS-E-5.1.3 / SS-M-5.2.4 / SS-HS-2.4.1 / AH-HS-HA-U-1
Special Programs, Events, and Performances
The Whitechapel Murders
Grades: 9 through 12
Length: one hour
Maximum of 40 students / Minimum of 15
Availability: October 1 through November 9, 2008 / Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays only
Cost: $6.00 per student, includes free admission to the Museum exhibits!
In the late summer and fallof 1888, London was terrorized by an unidentified killer, who came to be known as Jack the Ripper. Your students will hear this chilling story recounted by an inspector, a streetwalker, a police surgeon, and various residents of London's Whitechapel district. After the 35 minute performance students will have time to ask questions and view the small exhibit that accompanies the play. (Contains mature themes)
Core Content: SS-HS-2.4.1 / AH-HS-SA-U-1 / AH-HS-HA-U-1
Collaborative Field Trip with the Speed Art Museum
The Frazier Museum is pleased to team up with the Speed Art Museum to offer a unique, combined program focusing on American History. The program begins with a guided tour of the Speed Museum’s temporary exhibit Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: American Art from the Yale University Art Gallery. This groundbreaking exhibition of 18th and 19th century American paintings, silver, furniture and prints explores the richness, variety and strength of the American arts over two hundred years. The learning continues at The Frazier Museum with a hands-on experience in one of our Comprehensive Museum Programs, either “Declaring Your Independence” or “Liberty on the Border.” (Program details are listed earlier in the brochure.) A lunch space will be available for groups to bring sack lunches.
To register, please call Katie Nord at the Speed Art Museum, (502) 634-2960.
(Please note: teachers must arrange their own transportation from the Speed Art Museum to the Frazier Museum)
Cost: $10.00 per student
Chaperone requirements: 1:8 for grades 4-8 / 1:10 for grades 9-12
Schedule: 9:30-10:30 Speed Museum - Tour / 10:30-11:00 travel time / 11:00-1:30 Frazier Museum – hands-on program and lunch
Option One: Speed Museum tour and “Declaring Your Independence” program at the Frazier Museum
Grades: 5 through 8
Group Size: Maximum of 70 / Minimum of 15
Availability: September 8, 2008 through January 4, 2009 (Wednesdays only)
Option Two: Speed Museum tour and “Liberty on the Border” program at the Frazier Museum
Grades: 4 through 12
Group Size: Maximum of 60 / Minimum of 15
Availability: October 6, 2008 through January 4, 2009 (Mondays only)
Abigail Adams: Remember the Ladies (One day only!)
Grades: 4 through 12
Length: one hour
Maximum of 150 students
Availability: ONE DAY ONLY - Thursday, March 5, 2008 10:00-11:00
Cost: $6.00 per student: Includes free, self-guided group admission to all museum exhibits.
Using the written words from the actual correspondences of Abigail Adams, her family and friends, as well as reproduced “artifacts” from the eighteenth century, Ms. Hanley will foster a better understanding of Abigail’s life and times. This portrayal of Abigail Adams clearly voices the need for American Independence in the eighteenth century. It highlights the responsibilities thrust upon many women of her time when their husbands went off to “War”: 1) To keep their homes and families safe from harm; 2) To keep their family finances in order; 3) To raise healthy, well educated children. 20th century school age children are often surprised to find how different from and yet at other times how similar their lives are to their eighteenth century counterparts. The program consists of a live performance followed by time for Q and A.
Core Content: SS-E-5.1.2 / SS-E-5.2.4 / AH-E-HA-U-1 / SS-M-5.2.2 / AH-HS-HA-U-1
Opportunities for Teachers
Liberty on the Border Teacher Preview
Date and Time: Monday, September 29, 2008 from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
All teachers and school administrators are invited to a free viewing of the exhibit Liberty on the Border. Enjoy the exhibit and light refreshments, receive free giveaways and learn more about the museum programs offered in conjunction with this exhibit. Please RSVP by calling Megan Schanie at (502)753-1045.
Professional Development for Teachers
Lecture by Dr. Jean Baker: “Finding Mary Todd Lincoln: Our Most Controversial First Lady”
Dr. Baker is a noted author and lecturer who has written many books about women in history, including Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography. Using previously untapped letters and documents, Dr. Baker has uncovered a riveting story about Mary Lincoln’s childhood in Lexington, Kentucky in a slaveholding family, her stormy romance and marriage to Abraham Lincoln, and her struggles to balance her personal demons with her public life, even after her husband’s assassination.
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Pre-lecture time includes the opportunity to view the Museum exhibits, including the special exhibit Liberty on the Border.
FREE ADMISSION! All teachers and school administrators are invited. Jefferson County teachers are eligible for professional development credits, and must enroll through Rick Daniel, District Social Studies Specialist, 502.485.3054
