How to plan your best self-guided visit ever!

Imagine you are a third grader. Your teacher tells you that you will be taking a class trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You have been studying communities around the world and have recently been focusing on countries in Europe.

Write 3 things you might see at the museum.

Pre-visit your museum. Go on a low-crowd day, if possible. Take a notebook and a camera. Look for pamphlets and children’s maps. Take note of DON’Ts. Map the path you will travel.

Now, take on the role of the teacher. You found this set of artifacts in the room entitled “Art of Southern Italy” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Turn and talk with the person sitting next to you: What are 3 questions you might ask students as they view the artifacts?

Prepare students for thinking. Questions Information “sound bites” Bring maps, timelines, or other materials.

Continue to be the teacher. You enter the room entitled “European Paintings.” You see this painting. You want to create an activity for students to do.

Turn and talk with the person sitting on the other side of you: Design a quick activity for students to do while they view this painting.

Create a Think-Sheet Note-taking Quick activities Explorations

You are a third grader again. You’ve been at the museum since 10:00. You are saying:

Pacing! Over-plan Be ready to cut

Step 1: Pre-visit your museum. Step 2: Prepare students for thinking. Step 3: Create a Think-Sheet. Step 4: Pacing!