Washington DC, seat of some of the world's most powerful
politicians, is a fascinating destination for student tours, whether
your focus is American history or otherwise. Read on for an idea of what
students could experience.
Lincoln Memorial
Learning groups with a focus on American history should be sure to include the Lincoln Memorial on their itinerary for student tours. This monument to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, can offer a great focal point for discussions about Lincoln in particular and the presidential role in general. As the site of several famous speeches - such as Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' - it has also played a part in some of the USA's more recent historical turning points. In fact, the memorial has come to be regarded as something of a sacred space for political movements concerned with rights and freedom, most significantly the Civil Rights movement. A visit can bring together several different strands of history and demonstrate to students the importance of looking at historical events in their cultural contexts.
White House Visitors' Centre
After looking into presidential history at the Lincoln Memorial, give your students the opportunity to see the place where every President since John Adams - the second President of the United States - has lived and worked. A visit to the White House can offer an important sense of continuity, and of history still being in the making. Tours are available with prior arrangement, so talk to your trip organiser about taking one.
National Museum of American History
Those studying the history of the US will have read about it in textbooks or watched documentaries; but the National Museum of American History allows visitors to 'read' history in a different way - through objects. Its collections of over 3 million artefacts cover diverse subjects including clothing, weapons, film and TV props, locomotives, computers and more. There's something to suit every interest, and altogether the displays build up a multifaceted and often surprising record of the nation's history. The museum also has some special educational visit oriented exhibitions and interactive elements, which, while geared to the American curriculum, can provide great material for student tours from further afield.
Holocaust Museum
American history isn't the only curriculum focus that a visit to Washington DC can illuminate. The Holocaust Museum is worth visiting for any students of the Second World War, but also for history students and teachers in general. Teachers organising student tours be warned though: this museum is, by nature, emotionally affecting, and it can be a harrowing experience for adults and young people alike. However, the value of empathy in the study of history is enshrined in many curricula, and the Holocaust Museum certainly engages visitors' empathy skills - teaching not just facts but ways of emotionally relating to history. As such it is arguably the most important of Washington's museums, but preparing your students for it in advance is advisable.
Lincoln Memorial
Learning groups with a focus on American history should be sure to include the Lincoln Memorial on their itinerary for student tours. This monument to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, can offer a great focal point for discussions about Lincoln in particular and the presidential role in general. As the site of several famous speeches - such as Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' - it has also played a part in some of the USA's more recent historical turning points. In fact, the memorial has come to be regarded as something of a sacred space for political movements concerned with rights and freedom, most significantly the Civil Rights movement. A visit can bring together several different strands of history and demonstrate to students the importance of looking at historical events in their cultural contexts.
White House Visitors' Centre
After looking into presidential history at the Lincoln Memorial, give your students the opportunity to see the place where every President since John Adams - the second President of the United States - has lived and worked. A visit to the White House can offer an important sense of continuity, and of history still being in the making. Tours are available with prior arrangement, so talk to your trip organiser about taking one.
National Museum of American History
Those studying the history of the US will have read about it in textbooks or watched documentaries; but the National Museum of American History allows visitors to 'read' history in a different way - through objects. Its collections of over 3 million artefacts cover diverse subjects including clothing, weapons, film and TV props, locomotives, computers and more. There's something to suit every interest, and altogether the displays build up a multifaceted and often surprising record of the nation's history. The museum also has some special educational visit oriented exhibitions and interactive elements, which, while geared to the American curriculum, can provide great material for student tours from further afield.
Holocaust Museum
American history isn't the only curriculum focus that a visit to Washington DC can illuminate. The Holocaust Museum is worth visiting for any students of the Second World War, but also for history students and teachers in general. Teachers organising student tours be warned though: this museum is, by nature, emotionally affecting, and it can be a harrowing experience for adults and young people alike. However, the value of empathy in the study of history is enshrined in many curricula, and the Holocaust Museum certainly engages visitors' empathy skills - teaching not just facts but ways of emotionally relating to history. As such it is arguably the most important of Washington's museums, but preparing your students for it in advance is advisable.
0 comments:
Post a Comment