Thursday, October 29, 2009

Traveling Trunks for Teachers


A long time ago I created a blog about traveling trunks - collections of teacher resources put together by organizations around specific themes and topics. Usually, teachers can rent or sign out a trunk for a period of 2 or 3 weeks. The trunks will contain everything a teacher needs to teach this topic - including primary sources and lesson plans.




Access an article about how to use traveling trunks. Basically, a traveling trunks is a fieldtrip come to your classroom.
The photo is from the Prehistoric Archaeology and Mississippi trunk available from the Museum of Mississippi History.




Here follows a partial list of science and history traveling trunks. To find one in your area, google "traveling trunks" or "teaching trunks" and your area. You can also google "traveling trunks" and your topic. You will be surprised to find how many organizations are eager to assist you in learning about their topic of interest.




Science:




1. Alabama Power Science Inquiry Kits



2. Minnesota SeaGrant Traveling Trunks on: Exotic Equatics, and Zebra Mussel Mania



3. ND Early Childhood Science Kits for children 3 - 7 years. Small fee.



4. National Parks Service: Variety of Science and Environment Trunks. Small fee for postage.



5. Montana Environmental Educational Association Guide to Northern Rockies Trunks



6. Monmouth Museum Science and History Trunks





History:



1. Kansas State Historical Society - Rental fee



2. Montana Lewis and Clark Bicentennial




3. Idaho Lewis and Clark Resources




4. Gettysburg Trunks




5. Washington Holocaust Education Resource Center




6. Atlanta History Center




There is no need to ever be a boring teacher. Plan ahead and enjoy teaching with professionally assembled materials and great ideas for lesson plans and/or activities