Museum in your Classroom

Oakland Museum of California, 2012. Photo: Shaun Roberts.

A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words: Visual Thinking Strategies

Grades K–8
Through this interactive program, students are able to establish multiple meanings in art.  Active group discussions and problem solving will occur in an outreach session led by a docent in your classroom.

Dates:           
November–May

Time:           
Fill out the Reservation Form with your preferred date and time.  You will be  contacted by a Museum docent to arrange the details of the presentation.

Fee:         
$40/ Oakland class, $60/non-Oakland class
(Schools 20-40 miles from the Museum, please contact the Docent Center at 510-318-8470 about availability.)

 

California Indian Lifeways Classroom Presentation
Grade 4

During this hour-long interactive presentation, Museum docents bring art and artifacts related to California Indians into the classroom. By hands-on examination of images and materials, students are led on an exploration of the traditional lifeways of Native Californians. Not suitable for assemblies.

  • The presentation will be arranged three weeks prior to the requested date.
  • A Museum docent presents to one class at a time.

Dates:
November–February

Time:
Fill out the Reservation Form with your preferred date and time. You will be contacted by a Museum docent to arrange the details of the presentation.

Fee:            
$30/Oakland class, $50/non-Oakland class
(Schools 20-40 miles from the Museum, please contact the Docent Center at 510-318-8470 about availability.)

 

Gold Rush Classroom Presentation
Grades 4–5

By presenting the artifacts and artistic depictions of the California Gold Rush, Museum docents will lead students through an exploration of the daily life of a ’49er. Not suitable for assemblies.

  • This presentation will be conducted by either an Art or History docent
  • The presentation will be arranged three weeks prior to the requested date
  • A Museum docent presents to one class at a time

Dates:           
January–June

Time:
Fill out the Reservation Form with your preferred time. You will be  contacted by a Museum docent to arrange the details of the presentation.

Fee:            
$40/Oakland class, $60/non-Oakland class
(Schools 20-40 miles from the Museum, please contact the Docent Center at 510-318-8470 about availability.)

Oakland Museum of California, 2012. Photo: Shaun Roberts.

Topics Available

Recuerdos Del Rancho (Memories of the Rancho)

Grades 4–5

This Suitcase Exhibit introduces students to the history of Spanish/Mexican California and emphasizes the rancho lifestyle of the early 19th century. Suitcase contents include:

  • A video cassette presenting las memorias (the memoirs) of Maria Victoria, a woman whose life spanned the Mexican period.
  • A slide show illuminating a vaquero’s story.
  • Replica artifacts for students to explore the rancho period.
  • Curriculum materials that enhance and reinforce the visual presentation.

California Gold Rush
Grades 4–5

This Suitcase Exhibit introduces students to the challenges and experiences of the California Gold Rush by providing material related to the everyday life of a ’49er. Suitcase contents include:

  • Replica Gold Rush era artifacts, including a gold pan, mucket, clothing, writing materials, and more
  • Music, video, and a Suitcase Users’ Manual that provides information about the replica objects and suggestions for classroom activities.

Wonders of Bats
Grades 3–8

This Suitcase Exhibit provides your class with two weeks of hands-on materials, activities, and resources exploring the wondrous lives of bats. Suitcase contents include:

  • Mounted bat specimens, including a bat skeleton and bat fossil replica.
  • The Secret World of Bats and Building Homes for Bats DVDs, videos, slides, posters, and books that explore the unique physiology, behavior, and fictions of bats.
  • Materials for hands-on activities, including a set of child-sized bat wings to demonstrate similarities in human and bat anatomies, and a bat puppet.
  • Teacher’s Resource binder with background information on California bats.

Fees:  
$40 Oakland/$60 non-Oakland

Rental Details: 

  • Suitcase Exhibits are available for two-week periods.
  • Delivery options: one-way UPS shipment at an additional cost of $50 or pick up at the Museum’s security check-in (open 24 hours a day) at the 50 10th Street entrance.
  • If the return is through UPS, the borrower is responsible for arranging shipment directly with UPS.
Borrow Return
March 1  March 15
March 29 April 12
April 26 May 10
May 24 June 7