Groups

Learning Journeys

Group Visit Guide - Hands-on Learning at CMOM
Fall 2008

Get the current issue of Learning Journeys.

Learning Journeys - Fall 2008

Call 901-458-2678 for program details. Tell a colleague about our newsletter!

Tennessee Curriculum Connections for exhibits at The Children's Museum:
Curriculum Connections
TN Curriculum English
TN Curriculum Math
TN Curriculum Science
TN Curriculum Social Studies

Monkey Around With Curious George: Let's Get Curious!

Through September 28

The insatiable curiosity of Curious George - the little monkey who has captured the imagination and hearts of millions of children and adults for 65 years - comes to life in the Van Vleet Gallery. The exhibit introducesstudents to Curious George’s world and leads them on a fun, meaningful interactive math, science and engineering-based adventure. The immersive exhibit environment takes place in the neighborhood where Curious George lives with his friend, The Man with the Yellow Hat.

Inside - Apartment Building: operate wheels to move George on pulleys from window to window.; climb the fire escape and go inside to play with color, light and shadow. Sidewalk Produce Stand: play customer or salesperson and explore shape, sorting, weighing and counting with fruit and vegetables. Construction Site: climb into the construction trailer and design a building, then use materials and build structures using machines to move materials. City Park: enjoy this green space: rest or give a hug to a full-size George; young students enjoy our busy wall activities. Mini Golf: use pipes, ramps, funnels, turntables, bumpers and force to experiment with physics and engineering as you putt through three holes of mini golf. Space Rocket: step up to the rocket Curious George took on his space adventure. Farm: go to the country and visit the farm; experience cause and effect and use wind power to move yard art like whirligigs, windmills, windsocks and wind chimes; build your own whirligig and care for the farm animals. Museum Within the Museum: learn new things about George as you follow H.A. and Margaret Rey’s work.

The exhibit was designed, developed and built by Minnesota Children’s Museum in partnership with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. SPECIAL NOTE: Curious George teaches young children about math, science and engineering each weekday at 7am on 'KNO Kids/Channel 10 - don't miss it!

Color Play: Exploring the Art & Science of Color

October 11-January 4

This interactive exhibit invites students to play with colors through whole body experiences, hands-on, fun-loving interactives, and opportunities for fantasy play. The exhibit’s centerpiece is the Color Playhouse. With its whimsical trompe-l’oeil detailing, it beckons children to enter its front door and explore its three very different, activity-filled rooms: the Black Light, Yellow Light and Rainbow Rooms. There are 11 other free-standing interactive exhibits: Color Dance, Polarized Window, A Prism’s Rainbow, TV Colors, Neon Swirl, Color Creations, Picture Printing, a tabletop of Color Spinners, Big Kaleidoscope, Soap Bubble Window, and Color Storm. Pigment Palette is a large art piece by nationally recognized artist Beverly Ahlin that beautifully illustrates how colors mix and blend.

Special School Program: Children's Choice: It's a Voting Thing!

October 13-24
Call 901-458-2678 for special prices & details!

Your students learn all about democracy and the election process when they vote for president of the United States! Kids enjoy this interactive voting experience by casting their ballot for president, designing a “vote for” sticker, and making a patriotic hat, a voter’s card and a voting booklet. A separate election will also be held where children vote for their favorite civil servant - a fireman, policeman, nurse or teacher. Students also play a candidate concentration game. This museum program only takes place once every four years - during presidential elections. Don’t miss out! Election results will be tallied and sent to the media.

Traveling Learning Labs

Memphis Light, Gas & Water Energy IQ Lab

Energy IQ Flyer

The Children’s Museum and Memphis Light, Gas & Water partnered in the development of an energy education program targeting grades 2-5. Each lab includes a curriculum guide and one week’s activities related to concepts of saving energy. Concepts for the labs are aligned with existing curriculum as outlined in the Tennessee curriculum standards in language arts, math, science and social studies. Children learn where energy comes from and how it works, how to become a smarter consumer, and how to estimate and better control their family’s energy usage in order to save energy and help to lower their family’s utility bill. The materials and supplies needed for each activity are included and ready to use, and there's a take-home piece for participating children to share with their families. All activities included in the lab have a hands-on component and address multiple learning styles.

The Wachovia Foundation Money Game Lab

Money Game Flyer

This giant board game is a unique and engaging way for grades 4-5 to learn about the realities of day-to-day finances. Students form "families" and make "life" decisions related to money while moving about the city on the giant game board. The accompanying unit teaches financial literacy concepts such as earning, budgeting, saving and investing. All materials and assessment tools provided. The program content is linked to Tennessee curriculum standards in math, social studies/economics and English/language arts. A complete list of related standards and SPI’s is provided with the unit.

International Paper Pollution Detectives Lab

Pollution Detectives Flyer

Education Staff on a Mission

Our education staff is committed to providing programs that are engaging, educational and meet your needs. Please let us know how we can be of service to you as you plan your museum visit.

Emily Cutliff, Education Manager, 458-2678, ext. 250, Email Education Manager
Loni Wellman, Program Manager, 458-2678, ext. 245, Email Program Manager

Education & Programming Blog
Get the inside scoop on everything related to programs and education at the museum! Become part of the ongoing conversation with Loni Wellman and Emily Cutliff. Almost daily Loni or Emily may post something new on our website related to workshops, events, programs or special guests at the museum - visitors (including teachers!) are then allowed to post their own comments and give feedback. Fun photos and videos are also part of the new blog. “We wanted to enagage our members and visitors outside the museum setting,” said Emily. “This gives them an informal avenue to talk to us about what’s going on at the museum.” To access the blog: CMOM Blog.

CMOM Offers SPI Links for all Exhibits, Traveling Learning Labs & School Programs

The Children’s Museum of Memphis offers a high-quality selection of exhibits, Traveling Learning Labs, School Programs and curriculum guides that are directly connected to academic standards and State Performance Indicators (SPIs) from the Tennessee Curriculum Standards to help support curriculum requirements. When planning your visit to CMOM, our website has detailed standards, SPIs and great ideas for related activities you can do with your students before, during and after your visit.

Get the current School Programs SPI Links:
School Programs SPIs

School Programs

Your students will love these exciting, dynamic and memorable learning experiences. A variety of School Programs are available to match the learning needs of your class. If you need more information about any of our School Programs, please contact Emily Cutliff, education manager, at 901-458-2678, ext. 250, or Email Education Manager.

School Program fees are $5 per student with a minimum of 20 students. A $50 nonrefundable deposit is due two weeks prior to the program to confirm your reservation. Adult chaperons are required in a ratio of 1:5.

*NOTE: If your group is larger than the maximum allowed, it will be divided into two sessions. Groups that have two sessions must also pay for a regular group visit to the museum.

Get the current School Programs SPI Links:
School Programs SPIs

Preschool & Primary School Programs:

Air Heads
Grades 1-3

You can't see it or touch it. Are you really sure that air exists? Students will conduct experiments that explore the properties of air, prove that it exists, that it has substance, weight and power.

PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 minutes
MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 30 students maximum*

Air Heads Pre & Post Activities K-2
Air Heads Pre & Post Activities 3-6

Hello, Stuffee!
Pre-K - Grade 3

An inside-out look at our anatomy. Learn about the digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems from Stuffee, a seven-foot-tall rag doll that unzips to reveal what's inside our insides.

PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 minutes
MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 50 students maximum*

Rat-A-Tat-Tat
Preschool-Grade 2

Experience fun and funky rhythms while learning about patterns. This handclapping, foot stomping escapade uses percussion instruments and everyday objects to thump, drum and bang the way to an exciting learning commotion.

PROGRAM LENGTH: 30 minutes
MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 50 students maximum*

Intermediate School Programs:

Animation Station
Grades 4-6

Ever wonder how your favorite cartoon characters come to life? Learn the basics of animation and the science behind how animation "tricks" they eye. Explore early animation techniques like zoetrope, and create your own animation to take home.

PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 minutes
MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 40 students maximum*

Build-A-Bridge
Grades 4-6

Students become engineers for a day and work in teams to build a bridge using K'Nex pieces. They must follow specific design criteria regarding dimensions and strength and stick to a schedule and budget.

Access the Build-A-Bridge Curriculum Guide

PROGRAM LENGTH: 50 minutes
MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 50 students maximum*

Pollution Detectives
Grades 4-6

Click this logo to get the traveling version of this Lab for your classroom!

Become a P.I. (Pollution Investigator) and apprehend some of the most notorious polluters known to the ocean. Use the scientific method to nab such nasties as Oily Oliver and learn how to fight Six-Pack Ringo. Join other scum sleuths to help clean up a polluted “ocean.”

PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 minutes
MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 30 students maximum*

Pollution Detectives Pre & Post Activities K-2
Pollution Detectives Pre & Post Activities 3-6

Permanent Exhibits

Art Smart
Discover great opportunities to create art while improving your art IQ! Access the Art Smart Curriculum Guide

Bank
Write a check or go online to learn all about money and finance.

City Friends
Hop on a police motorcycle, dress up as a firefighter or "drive" a sheriff's car.

Football Lockers
Dress as an athlete in real sports gear.

Garage/Child Passenger Safety Van
Climb into the safety mini-van, take a virtual driving tour of Memphis or change a tire.

Going Places
Sit in a real airplane cockpit and get a hands-on lesson in the science of flight. Access the Going Places Curriculum Guide

Growing Healthy
Learn about exercise, nutrition and lifetime wellness through fun, lighthearted activities. Access the Growing Healthy Curriculum Guide

Honeybee Hives
See inside two live honeybee colonies, take apart an indoor hive and learn about this fascinating creature.

Kid's Market
Shop for grocery items in a kid-sized grocery store.

Lighthouse
A miniature outdoor lighthouse is a fun addition to the landscape.

Playscape Park
If you're four or younger, this is a place just for you!

Skyscraper
Climb up through the eight stories of this vertical maze.

Smiles, Inc.
Pretend to be a dentist and learn about tooth health with a science lab, dentist's office and diner.

Time Square/Sir Dance-A-Lot
Go under the giant clock tower to a disco to dance and sing along with a variety of music.

Tree House
Walk into the forest and learn about natural resources and conservation.

Your House, My House/Windows to the World
Be an architect, interior designer or construction worker. Then explore the world “traveling” to six other countries.

WaterWORKS!
Get your hands wet as you discover the essential role of water. Access the WaterWORKS! Curriculum Guide

Here is a full tour of all the museum's galleries and exhibits:
Exhibits Tour

Group Visit Basics
To Make a Reservation

• Call 901-458-2678 Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm.

• Group rate: $5.50 per person for organized groups of 10 or more school children. School groups include public and private schools only. Other organized groups pay $6 per person for 10 or more children. Other organized groups include churches, daycares, summer camps, etc. Advance reservations are required in order to receive the group rate! School Programs require additional fees.

• Adult chaperons are required in a ratio of 1:5 and are admitted free of charge with an advance group reservation. Adults over the 1:5 ratio are $5.50 or $6 each depending on group type. Teachers are counted as chaperons.

• Museum visits for groups are two hours and are scheduled during the following time slots: 9:30-11:30am, 10:30am-12:30pm, 11:30am-1:30pm, 12:30-2:30pm, 1:30-3:30pm and 2:30-4:30pm. Please arrive 15 minutes early for a brief orientation.

• If you make a reservation seven days in advance, you will receive a written confirmation including a packet of important information for your group.

• You are invited to use our grassy front lawn for brown bag lunches (picnic tables are available on a first-come basis). Food and drink may only be consumed in designated areas and outside the museum buildings. The museum has a Domino's Kid's Cafe where you can purchase lunch for your groups with advance notice. Mention your interest in this when you book your reservations.

• We are proud to offer a smoke-free environment both inside our buildings and on our grounds. Please inform all adults in your group. Thank you for your cooperation!

• The museum is accessible to all. So that we may better serve you, let us know if anyone in your group requires extra assistance or accommodations.

In order to make a reservation, please provide the following information:

• Date, time slot and any school program for which you are making your reservation.

• Name and title of group leader.

• Name, complete address and phone number of the school or group.

• Number of children and adults in your group.

• Age(s) and/or grade(s) of children in your group.

• Any special needs.

Book your group reservations today! To reserve by mail or fax:
Group Form

To make a group reservation online:
Online Group Form

For information on groups or to ask specific questions about reservations:
Email Reservations

If you are a teacher, get more information on educational programs available for classrooms as well as curriculum guides:
Teachers Page

For information on educational programs or curriculum guides, or to ask education related questions:
Email Education Manager or call 901-458-2678, ext. 250