Join us at the Cleveland History Center every third Wednesday of the month from September through May for our Homeschool Field Trip Days!  Get hands-on with our exciting and immersive School & Youth programs, and then explore all that our museum has to offer – including our Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel!

Each month, we will offer a different theme, containing programs that cover standards-based learning objectives using our museum’s vast collection of primary sources.  Participation certificates and portfolio material will be distributed to all participants.  Families are encouraged to attend and participate alongside the students. Each month will contain programming for four separate age groups (3-5, 6-8, 9-12, and 13+) to ensure age-appropriate program content.

Want to make a day of it?  We also offer a space for your family to eat lunch at no additional charge!  If you are interested in bringing lunch, please let us know when making your reservation.

Pricing

Students: $6 each

(Booking minimum: 10 students per grade level)

Parents: Free

Siblings 2 and Under: Free

Parking: $5/car flat rate

Two carousel tokens per person are included with each admission, so make time after the program to take a spin!

Please note that advance payment is required in order to reserve your spot. Reservations may be made below (click here) or by calling 216-721-5722 x1502.

January 16, 2019: Citizens Start Here

What does it mean to be a citizen? This month, students will learn about the many facets of citizenship, including public safety, the process of becoming a citizen, civic leadership, and social responsibility by getting hands-on and minds-on with our exhibits and artifacts.

Age 3-5: Traffic Town (Rules of the Road & Safety Officer Free Play)

In this re-imagined favorite program, students will learn about Cleveland’s own Garrett Morgan and his solution to the traffic problem in Cleveland. Surrounded by the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, students will explore the changes in transportation and traffic rules that keep us safe.  Hands-on Traffic Town Practice and a Safety Officer Exploration Station are program highlights.

Age 6-8: From There to Here

Unfold the story of a migrant or refugee family’s journey to Northeast Ohio from overseas or from another US region. Students roleplay as a family, dressing up to present their family’s story to the rest of the class. Age-appropriate primary documents provide information for students to discover when and from where they came, why they left, and what their hopes are for a future in Cleveland. Stories range from the 1840s to 1980s, and include European, Asian, Hispanic, African American, and Appalachian groups.

Age 9-12: Carl & Louis Stokes: Making History

In the new Carl and Louis Stokes: Making History permanent exhibit at the Cleveland History Center, students will learn of the lives and legacies of Cleveland’s favored sons. Through unique hands-on, kinesthetic, and minds-on activities, explore the struggle for voting rights, wrestle with gerrymandering, and consider the importance of your political voice.

Age 13+: Cleveland Underground: Resistance and Compliance

In this program, students will investigate the story of Cleveland’s Underground Railroad and explore issues of personal choice and activism. Examining two historic local court cases, students will examine the legal basis of American slavery and its effects on Northeast Ohioans, discuss concepts such as personal choice and consequences, and draw connections about the lasting impact of slavery, racism, and injustice. Through facilitated dialogue, students will then explore their own viewpoints on controversial social issues and learn how to articulate their views in an effective manner.

Additional Options for High School Students

Available every month upon request. Please call 216-721-5722 x1502 or email education@wrhs.org if you are interested in scheduling these specialty experiences.

Research Library Experience

Custom programs using WRHS collections can be arranged in the Research Library. Possible topics include Cleveland history, the study of family history, researching the history of a neighborhood, and more, upon request. (Scheduling based upon availability of Library staff. Advance booking required.)

History Day Information & Skills Workshops

Interested in competing in the 2019 Region 3 Ohio History Day? Our staff is ready to help you prepare your projects and sharpen your research skills! Whether you are a past competitor or new to the program this year, we welcome you to come learn what History Day is all about!

What is National History Day?

Bring Region 3 History Day staff into your classroom to introduce students to this months-long research project and to give tips for success. We’ll address a broad overview of the program, including brainstorming potential topics for the theme, explaining the thesis and bibliography requirements, and answering any questions about the competition.

REV Up One-on-One Consultations

Visit History Day staff members for one-on-one consultations about your students’ projects.  A staff member will spend 15-20 minutes with each individual or group entry to help them refine their thesis, brainstorm research plans, and strategize how to turn that research into a substantial project.

“You Be the Judge!”

Learn how History Day judging works so that you can plan your project to meet the judges’ high standards.  Students will analyze real History Day projects from past competitions using the official National History Day judging criteria, and then reflect on how projects go from “Good” to “Excellent” to “Superior.” Students may also ask questions about the rules or their own projects-in-progress.

Navigating Primary Sources

Students will analyze and evaluate primary sources from the collections of the Cleveland History Center.  Through this interactive workshop, students learn the difference between primary and secondary sources and how to evaluate credibility in primary sources.  In addition, students will learn visual thinking and problem-solving strategies that allow them to approach images and objects as true primary sources.

Interviewing for Research

Students will learn how to develop good questions, conduct interviews using oral history methods, and then interpret the resulting information for inclusion in larger research projects.  Students will gain knowledge about finding good interview subjects in the community and approaching them in a professional manner.  This workshop also discusses how cell phones and iPads can be used for turning interviews into micro-documentaries and sharing them with the community.

Making a Good Website

Students often ask if there’s any way to know what makes a “good” website.  This workshop helps students analyze examples of successful websites from past History Day contests, gives an overview of the Weebly platform, and discusses tips for making a History Day website stand out in the crowd.  Internet access, a computer, and a digital projector are required. Please consult with History Day staff in advance regarding technological needs.