Take your students to great museums online.Museums provide unique learning opportunities that can help bring your curriculum to life. But you no longer have to schedule a field trip to reap all of the benefits! From virtual tours Virtual Tours The phrases panoramic tour and virtual tour are often used to describe a variety of video and photographic based media. The word panorama indicates an unbroken view, so essentially, a panorama in that respect could be either a series of photographs or panning video to lesson plans and activities, the best museum Web sites have much to offer students and teachers. Here, we have highlighted a few must-see sites that offer purposeful and meaningul information, collections, and activities for the classroom. Many of these sites work best with high bandwidth Web access, but plenty of their resources can be accessed without the newest technology. So whatever your tech set-up, click on and enjoy virtual visits to these museums all over the world. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] State Hermitage Museum The State Hermitage Museum (Russian: Государственный Эрмитаж, Gosudarstvennyj Èrmitaž , St. Petersburg, Russia Setting the Scene Russia's State Hermitage Museum exhibits world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century. Its beautiful Web site offers extensive resources to enhance your art history and social studies curricula. Start with a "Virtual Visit"--the panoramic views here show the grandeur of the galleries and will give students a feel for what it's like to visit the museum in person. Then head to the "Virtual Exhibitions" area of the site, which displays digital photographs of objects from around the world and throughout history, linked by theme. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Rich Digital Collection The Hermitage collection includes more than three million items. Many of its objects can be seen as beautiful high-resolution images in the site's "Digital Collection." Whether your class is studying the Middle Ages, European history, or world art, students can explore the museum's machinery, jewelry, furniture, carriages, applied arts, arms, and textiles. Where else can children admire 500-year-old clothing, a suit of medieval armor, and the jewels of a Russian queen, all online? Virtual Academies To add an engaging twist to your history units, try having your students attend the Hermitage site's "Virtual Academies." "Time of Knights" presents fascinating stories about castles, coats of arms Here is a list of articles that discuss and/or depict coats of arms. Articles in bold face are specifically about a particular coat of arms. Arms for corporations, etc.
 Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. " will teach your students about the history, geography, religion, architecture, and writing of that period and region. American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History, incorporated in New York City in 1869 to promote the study of natural science and related subjects. Buildings on its present site were opened in 1877. (OLogy ol·o·gy n. pl. ol·o·gies Informal A branch of learning. [From -ology.] Noun 1. ) New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , NY Drawing Kids In As students will learn on the American Museum of Natural History's OLogy Web site, -ology means "the study of." With an appealing, playful design, this site is a great tool for encouraging kids to explore the sciences. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Access to Experts Each focus area includes a "Meet the OLogists" section, where children can learn directly from a scientist. Kids can vote on questions to ask experts, read about a typical workday, and learn how museums support scientists' work. Stuff to Do The site covers archaeology, astronomy, genetics, and more, and features hands-on activities for each of these areas under "Stuff To Do." The paleontology paleontology (pā'lēəntŏl`əjē) [Gr.,= study of early beings], science of the life of past geologic periods based on fossil remains. section, for example, offers a quiz to assess students' dinosaur knowledge as well as instructions for drawing dinosaurs. And ready-to-print pages of dino skeletons are available for quick, useful handouts. Elsewhere, students can learn how to make moon-phase flipbooks and DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. bracelets. Even Einstein becomes accessible with a "Space Jell-O" activity that explains how space bends around different kinds of matter. Smithsonian Institution Smithsonian Institution, research and education center, at Washington, D.C.; founded 1846 under terms of the will of James Smithson of London, who in 1829 bequeathed his fortune to the United States to create an establishment for the "increase and diffusion of , Washington, DC A Wealth of Resources This site showcases some of the best interactive features of the 16 Smithsonian museums--from the National Portrait Gallery National Portrait Gallery can refer to:
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Interactive IdeaLabs The "IdeaLabs" section of the site offers terrific activities for every content area. For example, "Mr. President Mr. President can refer to:
Everything Art While the other areas of the site deserve a look, the "Everything Art" section stands out as a treasure trove TREASURE TROVE. Found treasure. 2. This name is given to such money or coin, gold, silver, plate, or bullion, which having been hidden or concealed in the earth or other private place, so long that its owner is unknown, has been discovered by accident. of visual information. See "Women of Our Time" for a beautiful collection of photographs of famous 20th-century women, an excellent resource for Women's History Month Women's History Month is an annual declared month in the United States that highlights contributions of women to events in history. March is declared Women's History Month. The annual event traces its beginnings to the first International Women's Day in 1911. in March. As part of a study of Africa, take a look at "African Masks," which offers a display of traditional and contemporary African art African art, art created by the peoples south of the Sahara. The predominant art forms are masks and figures, which were generally used in religious ceremonies. . And to supplement your American history studies, look at "Buffalo Hide Painting." Here students can zoom in on a hide painting and use clues from other objects, images, and oral traditions to interpret elements of it. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Monterey Bay Aquarium The Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is located in a former sardine cannery on Cannery Row in Monterey, California, is one of the largest and most respected aquariums in the world. It has an annual attendance of 1.8 million and holds 35,000 plants and animals representing 623 species. , Monterey Bay, CA Ready-to-Use Activities A favorite destination of visitors to Northern California Northern California, sometimes referred to as NorCal, is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The region contains the San Francisco Bay Area, the state capital, Sacramento; as well as the substantial natural beauty of the redwood forests, the northern , the Monterey Bay Aquarium has produced a noteworthy site full of great things to do, see, and learn. Start your visit by looking under "Teachers & Kids" for easy online games and "Print & Do" activities. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Go Live Of course, no class with enough bandwidth will be able to resist the links to the live web cameras placed throughout the aquarium. The "Otter Cam" is just one of several cameras that bring kids right into the aquarium's action. Your students will get a kick out of spying on penguins, sharks, a kelp forest, and the open ocean, too. This footage will enhance any lesson on marine life. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Online Field Guide In addition to providing information about careers for your would-be marine biologists, the site has an online "Field Guide." This printable guide is a valuable tool for animal-related reports at any grade level. It offers extensive information on water birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates such as jellyfish jellyfish, common name for the free-swimming stage (see polyp and medusa), of certain invertebrate animals of the phylum Cnidaria (the coelenterates). The body of a jellyfish is shaped like a bell or umbrella, with a clear, jellylike material filling most of the . Students will find basic statistics (diet, size, and range) along with conservation notes and cool facts that are sure to captivate. Monticello, Charlottesville, VA Tour Jefferson's Home Make Thomas Jefferson and his renowned home come alive during your history studies. This site's tour of Monticello starts with an overview of the floor plan and offers panoramic views of each room. The site also provides lesson plans focusing on Jefferson's life and interests. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spend a Day with Jefferson "A Day in the Life of Thomas Jefferson" offers students a chance to go through a typical 24 hours with the famous president. Kids will learn about what Jefferson ate throughout the day, his morning preparations, the room where he worked on his many inventions, and much more. E-mail a President Under "Ask Thomas Jefferson" in the "Education" section of the site, students can start an e-mail correspondence with Jefferson! Encourage students to look through the past questions Jefferson has "answered" in order to learn more about his attitudes towards slavery and the U.S. Constitution, and whether or not he ate a vegetarian diet. United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. Holocaust Museum The term Holocaust museum may refer to:
History Made Real Making personal connections is a powerful way to appreciate history, and the United States Holocaust Museum harnesses this power on its Web site. In "Personal Histories," your students will see videos of Holocaust survivors There are many famous Holocaust survivors who survived the Nazi genocides in Europe and went on to achievements of great fame and notability. Those listed here were, at the very least, residents of the parts of Europe occupied by the Axis powers during World War II who survived telling their stories accompanied by transcripts, maps, and numerous personal photographs that add depth to each individual account. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Teacher's Workshop There's a wealth of valuable historical information at this site--some of it in Spanish, some designed for high-speed Internet See broadband. connections, and plenty for lower-speed connections as well. Look under "Education" for an online workshop for teachers called "Teaching the Holocaust." It provides thoughtful strategies for meaningful classroom discussion as your class starts a social studies unit on the Holocaust. Student Resources The "For Students" part of the site's "Education" section offers a range of ways to help students comprehend the significance of the Holocaust and related contemporary topics. Scroll down in this section to find "The Holocaust: A Learning Site for Students." Designed for middle- and high-school students and teachers, its content reflects the museum's permanent exhibit and includes helpful contextual information such as a timeline, straightforward explanations of background and events, and an extensive glossary. RELATED ARTICLE: 4 More Sites You Won't Want to Miss We couldn't include all of the wonderful museum sites available, but here are a few more favorites. Look for more at www.google.com 1 Exploratorium, San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden , CA www.exploratorium.org The Exploratorium's online versions of museum exhibits, science news, and experiments will keep students learning for hours. Check under "Explore" for "Online Activities" about the origins of language, facts about mold, and the science behind skateboarding. To enhance your math curricula, look under "Educate" for "The Math Explorer." 2 Indianapolis Art Museum, Indianapolis, IN www.ima-art.org The Indianapolis Art Museum's outstanding online program "Geometry & Art" is a great way to boost your students' geometry skills. The program helps middle-schoolers understand how artists use geometry to create their work. Math problems are included along with each work of art. 3 The Mint Museum of Art The Mint Museum of Art is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, in a building that once housed the Charlotte Mint. Opening in 1936, it was the first art museum in North Carolina. , Charlotte, NC www.mintmuseum.org/education This Charlotte, NC, museum has created an award-winning site on Mesoamerica. Students can watch a video reenactment re·en·act also re-en·act tr.v. re·en·act·ed, re·en·act·ing, re·en·acts 1. To enact again: reenact a law. 2. of a high-stakes Aztec ballgame or explore an interactive timeline. Younger students will enjoy the museum's "Dig It!" program about the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas. 4 Dupage Children's Museum, Dupage, IL www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org This site offers a unique way to stretch elementary students' problem-solving skills. Under "Online Play," look for "Kids Design Network." It lets kids choose an engineering challenge to solve (building an alarm for their bedroom door, for example). After students design and build their solution, they get the opportunity to communicate online with a real engineer to evaluate their gadget. All of the engineering challenges available are designed to meet national curriculum goals. |
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