Sparkles under the spotlight: Designing a costume for Kristi Yamaguchi
Picture it: you're sitting with thousands of other audience members in a darkened arena. Suddenly, a spotlight illuminates a small circle...
You're invited to a Bowl of Rice Party
Wartime often catalyzes developments in philanthropy. In 2017, the museum added the Bowl of Rice party banner, from fundraising efforts to...
Alice Tetsuko Kono: Wise, well-traveled, WAC
Museum Specialist Noriko Sanefuji and Curator Katherine Ott invited students in Dr. Samuel J. Redman's Museum and Historic Site...

Blog Posts in "Teaching & Learning"

Page from copybook showing illustration of a child seated in various positions as a desk, as well as diagrams showing how to hold a writing instrument in a right hand
Don’t write off cursive yet
Words are an essential means of communication, yet how we put them down in writing has been continuously shaped over time by technologies,...
Gold bell topped with eagle design
Does this ring a bell? School bells of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
What’s it like to intern with our Division of Home and Community Life? Elizabeth Wells found herself falling in love with our bell...
Coin with image of braying elephant
One coin, two coin, old coin, new coin: Searching for Dr. Seuss in the National Numismatic Collection
Beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss celebrated the importance of small things in the book Horton Hears a Who! with his famous declaration...
A metal lunch box decorated with illustration of the Dr. Seuss story, "The Cat in the Hat"
Grab your books and tall striped hats: It's time to celebrate “Read Across America Day”
This week, teachers, librarians, and students across America will be looking around their homes for tall, striped top hats and red ties....
An old bottle of soap
Ordinary objects or incredible inventions?
According to a recent report by Mintel, a marketing research agency, few millennials use bar soap. Don't be alarmed, though. They...
Commemorative ribbon decorated with a golden eagle, the U.S. flag, and a circular seal depicting Columbus’s arrival in the New World, complete with the text “Landing of Columbus.” At the bottom of the ribon is the following text: National Public School
I Pledge Allegiance
Since October 1892, countless schoolchildren across the nation have begun their school day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as a daily...
Page from children's book illustration with a skeleton illustration in black link.
"Xerxes the Great did die, and so must you and I": Learning about the alphabet and the inevitability of death in early Protestant America
Do you remember the books that helped you learn to read—maybe Dick and Jane, Dr. Seuss, or Clifford the Big Red Dog? No matter the...
A woman in a historical outfit (high collared white shirt with elbow-length sleeves, long burgundy skirt, boater hat) and a bike speaks to two museum visitors
How (not) to teach with drama
For nearly a decade, the museum has used theater as a means of enlivening the visitor experience and engaging the public in dialogue on...
A photograph of a circular interactive display showing the journey soybeans take around the world
Media in museums
Usually when I visit museums, I look at objects and read labels while skimming past interactives and video screens. This summer, however,...
Cover of comic book. Little boy in tears runs to father. Text: "Dad! They took away my baseball bat!"
Comic book project helps teens discover and share stories of Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II
Comics have historically been used to tell difficult stories and engage youth in important but challenging topics. Martin Luther King Jr....
Museum visitor looks at objects on a table while staff member points out features of historic objects
Reflecting on the Japanese American experience during World War II in film, spoken-word, and discussion
Our National Youth Summit on Japanese American Incarceration in World War II is just around the corner. In this national webcast...
Black and white photo of three Boy Scouts carrying a large U.S. flag with community in background, including other parade participants with bugle and drum.
Boy Scouts and barracks: Learning about Japanese American incarceration ahead of the National Youth Summit
After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Executive Order 9066 forcibly removed all people of Japanese ancestry, citizens or not,...
(Detail) Black and white photo of gathering in center of camp with buildings in background. Boy Scouts line up while community watches. In background, high mountains with snow on top.
Barracks and Boy Scouts: Norman Mineta's story
Here at the museum, we're busy preparing for this year's National Youth Summit. The program is an interactive webcast event bringing...
Young woman wearing blue gloves gets ready to remove a Girl Scout uniform from a display
Why isn't my favorite artifact on display?
On rainy weekends, my mom would say, "Let's go visit Boomer." With big, wise eyes and a grumpy mouth, Boomer the Queensland Grouper was a...
Photo two nuns walk with a line of students. The girls, at the front of the line, wear white dresses and have headbands on. The boys, in the back of the line, wear blue suits. They're on a sidewalk outside a building.
A uniform approach to documenting Catholic school education
Over the past few months, I have been cataloging a Catholic school uniform and related Catholic school material for the museum's education...
Engaging minds: American mathematics 100 years ago
In late December 1915, a century ago, 104 mathematicians and mathematics teachers assembled at The Ohio State University to form the...
Photo of three boxes of crayons
Slates, crayons, and quills: Back to school supplies of the past
The kids are back to school and parents have done their best to fill seemingly endless lists of new school supplies. But what did children...
Titled sign, knocked over half way. Blue circular sign with arrow saying "HURRICANE EVACUATION ROUTE." Below that is square sign with AM FM radio stations for information. There is a dirty plastic bag on the ground.
Collecting in the wake of Hurricane Katrina
Late curator David Shayt of the museum's Work and Industry division once said, "All museum work in one form or another is digging in the...
3D model of Mt. Vernon with red roof, white walls, green grass. Many columns and windows.
Please touch the objects: Tactile models and alternative approaches to curation
Curator Dr. Katherine Ott invited students in Dr. Samuel J. Redman's Museum/Historic Site Interpretation Seminar to explore the museum's...
Pres. Johnson dressed as super hero
Did we "win" the War on Poverty?
Last year marked the fiftieth anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson declaring what would come to be known as the War on Poverty. In...
Teachers look at historic books
Remembering A. James Clark and a legacy of active learning
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of A. James Clark, the driving force behind Clark Construction Group, LLC. The story...
Students' object portraits
Kindergarteners paint a portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. with objects
I am a strong believer in helping my students become productive citizens through character education, and I believe that history...
"A Room of Her Own" by Sandra Cisneros at the National Museum of American History
Exploring Día de los Muertos with Sandra Cisneros
If you've ever confused Día de los Muertos with Halloween, you might be surprised to learn how very different these fall holidays are from...
Trying deodorant on arm
Why I smell like it's 1903
Intern Caitlin Kearney follows a 111-year-old deodorant recipe. For history!Over the summer, I've been doing research for a new hands-on...
Mexican-style dress
8 tips for experiencing Latino History at the museum
Looking to discover Latino history during your museum visit this Hispanic Heritage Month? Christine Miranda, who interned with our Program...
Viewing fire engine
Strollers, security, and snacks: A parent's guide to visiting the museum with kids
As a mom, I know the National Museum of American History is a great place to visit with kids. There is so much to see and do... which...
Behind the scenes of the webcast: An intimate history of the Roosevelts
A teddy bear snow globe was my favorite souvenir from a family visit to the National Museum of American History. I've kept the memento...
Fall at the museum, exterior view
When it's "too nice out" to take the kids to a museum
Enjoying pumpkin spice season? Museum Educator Sarah Erdman recommends bringing little ones to museums' grounds and gardens this time of...
Mustang on display
5 kid-tested ways to explore a museum exhibition (without touching)
Museum educator Sarah Erdman makes your next museum visit with the family just a little more fun with tips on how to boost interactivity...
A pine tree shilling coin from the Massachusetts Bay colony
Before your kid opens a lemonade stand, try this fun activity
Educator Victoria Altman introduces a new book-based summer activity to share with youngsters, especially budding entrepreneurs.Most...
Museum staff and students look at a National History Day project on a large board
Making the most of History Day at the National Museum of American History
Manager of Youth and Teacher Programs Naomi Coquillon shares the inside scoop on National History Day at the museum.On one wonderful day...
Demonstrating shea butter at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2011 on the National Mall. Image via Peace Corps.
7 tips to make your family visit to National Mall festivals more fun and less stressful
If you are visiting D.C. this summer, you have the chance to be part of some amazing events.The Fourth of July lights up the National Mall...
Why these colors don't run: Dyeing the Star-Spangled Banner
We all know the colors of the American flag. But how did those colors physically come to fly on flagpoles and inspire national anthems?...
three children look at a large doll house
Helping kids fall in love with non-interactive museum exhibitions
Without buttons to push, levers to pull, or paper airplanes to fly, some museum exhibitions just aren't very interactive. What's a...
Ganz holding microphone speaking to audience, wearing white shirt
5 things to know about Freedom Summer veteran Dr. Marshall Ganz
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Mississippi Summer Project, the Museum is hosting the National Youth Summit on Freedom Summer...
Pint-sized exhibition reviewers rate our "Little Golden Books" show
Students in the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center early childhood program make frequent visits to museum exhibitions. We...
Top tips for a rewarding museum visit with kids
How can you get the most out of a museum visit with your kids? Cynthia Raso of the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center shares some tips...
A letter is worth a thousand e-mails: Write one for National Letter Writing Day!
When was the last time you sat down to write a letter to someone? As National Letter Writing Day approaches on December 7, here's some...
Is it worth it to take the baby to a museum? Spoiler alert: yes!
The day after Thanksgiving is one of our highest visitation days of the year and many families bring along tiny bundles of joy. This made...
Kid at museum
Taking a toddler to the museum: Why bother?
Tempted to skip visiting museums until your toddler is older? Museum Fellow Sarah Erdman explains why she's taking her son to museums now....
Skip the school bus: Our tips for planning a virtual field trip
As a national museum, we serve students all over the country through lesson plans, interactive resources, and virtual field trips. Naomi...
From carousels to buses, Glen Echo Amusement Park and the training of an activist
Freedom School Scholar Harry Clarke reflects on the story of Glen Echo Amusement Park as part of his preparation to host the National Youth...
Cracking the closed society of higher education: Integrating the University of Mississippi
Today, October 1, marks the anniversary of James Meredith's admission to the segregated University of Mississippi. Harry Clarke, who was...
Teachers get a high voltage shock from Benjamin Franklin
Education specialist Matt Hoffman shares what happens when teachers and students try out one of Benjamin Franklin's experiments. ...
Curious, quick, and short: Get your questions ready for Ask a Curator Day
The global online Q&A session between museum curators and the public known as Ask a Curator Day takes place Wednesday, September 18,...
two educators hold model slave shackles in front of a model ship
(Re)Searching a sunken American slave ship
This summer, a new program debuted on the museum floor: (Re)Searching an American Slave Ship. It highlights the ongoing research led by our...
Add a museum visit to your back-to-school routine
Between buying a new backpack and figuring our carpool logistics, fellow Sarah Erdman recommends adding a museum-inspired conversation to...
Visitors in Price of Freedom exhibit
Escaping the parent trap: Facing tough topics with kids at the museum
Fellow Sarah Erdman provides her tips for parents facing tough topics in museum exhibitions on family visits.It sometimes feels like...

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