Educational Programs

For Field Trips and Class Visits, teachers are encouraged to choose topics that fit into their current curriculum.

Themes:

• Introduction to Maps (Grade K-2)
• The World of the Middle Ages & Renaissance (Grades 3-5)
• Maps of the World – Geography & Globes Emphasis (Grades 3-5)
• Maps of the World – Cartography and Western Worldview (Grades 6-12)
• Portland History (Grades 3-12)
• Maine Studies (Grades 3-12)
• Colonial New England (Grades 3-12)
• Transatlantic Travel (Grades 4-12)
• Growth of the United States (Grades 5-12)

Because of the highly specialized nature of secondary curriculum, High School teachers are encouraged to work with OML educators to ensure that the primary sources used in the lesson fit well with the class material.

For large groups or groups with a flexible time frame, consider taking advantage of our Collaborative Programs with nearby educational institutions!

Field Trips

We love having classes come visit us! Field trips typically include:

• a pre-teaching activity conducted in the classroom before the day of visit*
• an inquiry-based lesson using OML’s original materials as primary sources
• a hands-on activity or group game related to the lesson subject
• a scavenger-hunt activity with our current exhibition
• and a tour of the Smith Globe Collection

*Before the day of the visit, students will complete a pre-teaching activity that gives them a familiarity with some of the ideas, images, and terminology they’ll see during their field trip. Teachers will receive the pre-teaching materials in the mail about a week before the visit.
We recommend:

• a group size of 10 to 60 (for larger groups, we recommend splitting the visit into two days or scheduling one of OML’s Collaborative Programs with nearby educational institutions)
• One chaperone for every 12 students
• A 75 to 90 minute time allotment for a field trip at OML

To schedule a field trip, please email Renee Keul at rkeul@usm.maine.edu or fill out a visit request form.

Class Visits

OML’s Outreach team is also available to visit classrooms, clubs, and enrichment and after-school programs within an hour’s drive of Portland, Maine. The recommended time allotment for a class visit is 35 to 40 minutes. A classroom visit includes:

• a pre-teaching activity conducted in the classroom before the day of visit*
• an inquiry-based lesson using facsimiles of OML items
• a group game or hands-on activity related to the lesson subject.

*Before the day of the visit, students will complete a pre-teaching activity that gives them a familiarity with some of the ideas, images, and terminology they’ll see during their field trip. Teachers will receive the pre-teaching materials in the mail about a week before the visit.
To schedule a class visit, please email Renee Keul at rkeul@usm.maine.edu or fill out a visit request form.