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School Programs at the MSV

Looking for a new way to engage your students? The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) is the perfect destination to explore the worlds of history, science, and the arts! The Shenandoah Valley Gallery’s audio, video, and object displays will open your students’ eyes to the rich history of the region. Nearby, the Founders Gallery presents rotating exhibitions featuring objects from the impressive collection of European and American fine and decorative arts assembled by MSV benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr. The Changing Exhibitions and six acres of continually unfolding gardens ensure there is always something new for students to learn at the MSV. We offer a wide selection of programs for students in Pre-K through college; all meet the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) and the West Virginia Content Standards and Objectives (CSOs).

Select from the tours below or ask our Education Department to customize a field trip or program to meet your specific lesson plans or needs. The MSV educational resources are available for public and private schools, home school groups, and scout troops; just give us a call to discuss how the MSV can help provide a learning experience your students will never forget.

MUSEUM GALLERY TOURS

Animal Tales
(Grades K–4)
This tour uses an activity booklet to guide students through the galleries and focuses on animals through history and art.
SOL Connections: (History) K.7, 1.7, 2.9, 3.7 (Visual Arts) K.11, K.12, K.14, K.18, 1.13, 1.17, 2.19, 3.13, 3.25, 4.15, 4.17
CSO Connections: VA.K.2.4, VA.K.3.2, VA.K.4.2, VA.K.5.1, VA.1.3.1, VA.1.5.2, VA.1.5.4, VA.2.3.1, VA.2.3.4, VA.2.6.3. VA.3.3.4, VA.4.3.2

Stop, Look, and Listen!
(Grades K, 1, and 2)
A Shenandoah Valley Gallery activity during which students look for special stop signs where they “Stop, Look, and Listen!” and then write or draw about something new they learn.
SOL Connections: (History) 1.4 (a, b, c), 1.6, 1.7, 1.12 / 2.2, 2.3, 2.12 / 3.6, 3.12
CSO Connections: SS.1.4.5, SS.1.5.1, SS.1.5.6 / SS.2.4.2, SS.2.4.4, SS.2.4.5, SS.2.5.2, SS.2.5.7 / SS.3.4.3, SS.3.4.6, SS.3.4.7, SS.3.4.8, SS.3.5.1, SS.3.5.3, SS.3.5.4

Oh, Shenandoah!
(Grades 4, 5, and 6)
An activity during which students locate special stop signs in the Shenandoah Valley Gallery where they will read about Valley history and then answer questions on an activity sheet.
SOL Connections: (Virginia Studies) VS.1 (i), VS.2 (b, e), VS.3 (a), VS.4 (a, b), VS.6 (c), VS.7 (a), VS.8 (b, c), VS.9 (a) / USI.1 (a, b, c, e, f), USI.3 (a, b), USI.4 (b), USI.5 (b, c), USI.8 (b, c), USI.9 (a, d, f) / USII.1 (a, b, c, f), USII.2 (a), USII.3 (a, b, c, d), USII.5 (a, d)
CSO Connections: SS.4.1.4, SS.4.2.3, SS.4.3.6, SS.4.4.2, SS.4.4.6, SS.4.4.9, SS.4.5.2, SS.4.5.6, SS.4.5.9, SS.4.5.10, SS.4.5.18

What’s Been Written?
(Grades 8–12)
A history and English-focused tour that travels chronologically through the Shenandoah Valley Gallery and highlights works of literature, authors, printers, and primary source documents.
SOL Connections: (English) 9.3, 9.4, 11.3, 11.4, 12.3, 12.4
CSO Connections: RLA.8.1.1, RLA.8.3.4, RLA.9.1.1, RLA.10.1.1, RLA.11.1.1, RLA.12.1.1

Save the Stories!
(Grades 3–12)
An activity that includes an introduction to oral histories, the opportunity for students to conduct oral histories with each other, and a guided tour of the Shenandoah Valley Gallery that highlights the oral histories included in the exhibitions.
SOL Connections: (History) K.2, 1.12, 2.3, 2.12, 3.12, VS.1e, f, g, USI.1b, d, e, USII.1a, b, c, d, VUS.1a, c, d, e, f, g
CSO Connections: SS.K.5.1, SS.K.5.2, SS.K.5.4, SS.1.5.1, SS.1.5.2, SS.1.5.6, SS.2.5.1, SS.3.5.8, SS.4.5.16, SS.7.5.9, SS.10.5.3

Think Like a Curator
(Grades 3–12)
This specialty tour for students begins with a hands-on activity using authentic artifacts. In small groups students are encouraged to “think like a curator” to examine their objects and report to the larger group on their findings. Then the students are led on a guided tour through the Museum Galleries to learn about material culture and the objects within our permanent collection.
SOL Connections: 3.6, VS.1a, d, e, g, h, USI.1b, d, e, USII.1b, d, e, CE.1a, d, e, VUS.1a, b, c, d, e, g
CSO Connections: SS.3.5.8, SS.3.5.9, SS.3.5.10, SS.4.5.12, SS.7.5.9, SS.10.5.22

What is Decorative Art?
(Grades 1–6, may be adapted for older students)
A guided tour of the Shenandoah Valley Decorative Arts Rooms that introduces decorative arts and discusses the difference between decorative and utilitarian objects, apprenticeship, pottery, primary vs. secondary woods, fabric making, basket making, and folk art. This tour may focus on particular interest areas as requested.
SOL Connections: (Visual Arts) K.11, K.12, K.14, 1.16, 1.17, 3.13, 3.17, 3.25, 4.15, 4.18, 4.22, 4.25, 5.19, 5.26, 5.28, 6.18
CSO Connections: (Visual Arts) VA.K.4.2, VA.K.5.1, VA.1.3.1, VA.1.4.1, VA.1.4.2, VA.1.4.3, VA.1.5.1, VA.1.5.2, VA.2.3.1, VA.2.4.2, VA.2.5.1, VA.3.4.1, VA.3.4.2, VA.3.5.1, VA.4.4.1, VA.4.4.2, VA.5.4.1, VA.5.4.2, VA.5.4.3, VA.5.5.1, VA.5.5.2, VA.5.5.3, VA.6.4.1, VA.6.4.2, VA.6.4.3, VA.6.4.4, VA.6.5.1, VA.6.5.2

GARDEN TOURS

Can You Find This?
(Grades K–12)
A fun seek-and-find activity that takes students through the six-acre Glen Burnie Gardens. This activity may be self- or staff-guided per request.
SOL and CSO Connections: this activity is usually combined with another educational activity during your tour, therefore specific SOLs and CSOs are not designated. This activity exposes children to nature, art, and architecture.

Discover the Magic!
(Grades pre-K–2)
An interactive, staff-guided, garden tour for younger children that changes seasonally.
SOL and CSO Connections: this tour changes with each group and each visit, please discuss any requests for SOL or CSO fulfillments you hope to cover with our Curator of Education when you schedule your tour.

 

To schedule a school tour or talk to the MSV about customizing a tour for your class, please contact:

Deborah Hilty
Curator of Education
540-662-1473, ext. 224
dhilty@theMSV.org