Teachers & Labs
Welcome to the resource page for educators and teachers!
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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
Read the education manager's
weekly blog:
CMOM Blog
Apply for an Education
Internship:
Education Interns
Traveling Learning Labs
Memphis Light, Gas & Water Energy IQ Lab
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
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
Students become "Pollution Detectives" and apprehend some of the most notorious polluters known to the waters. A top secret video from headquarters kicks off this fun investigation into water pollution. Grades 4-6 learn while doing in this exciting hands-on, inquiry-based unit that focuses on water resources, environmental responsibility and pollution prevention. Each lab includes a complete unit that is designed to take place in your classroom in one week. The concepts in the unit are based on Tennessee Curriculum Standards in reading, math and science. SPIs and science text links are noted in each area for your planning needs. Assessment instruments are included to determine if concepts were learned and SPIs achieved. All materials, supplies and consumables required for 30 students are included. CMOM will provide teacher training in the use of the lab upon request.
All labs are available for loan to Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools at no fee (a fully refundable deposit is required). All other schools may rent the labs for $25 per week. Reserve your labs now at 901-458-2678 or
For mail or fax, get the Energy IQ Form, Money Game Form or Pollution Detectives Form
To make a reservation online using
a credit card:
Online Traveling Learning Labs Form
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.
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
Curriculum Guides
To access the Art Smart Curriculum Guide, click the paint:
To access the Build-A-Bridge Curriculum Guide, click the bridge:
To access the Going Places Curriculum Guide, click the airplane:
To access the Growing Healthy Curriculum Guide, click the heart:
To access the WaterWORKS! Curriculum Guide, click the waterfall:
For information
on educational programs or curriculum guides, or to ask education related
questions:
Email Education Manager or call 901-458-2678, ext. 250