This virtual field trip far exceeded my expectations! The kids were engaged, learning, and having fun! They couldn’t stop talking about it. This was absolutely a top notch experience!
– Elaine Temel, 5th Grade Teacher, West Vine Street School, CT
Education
The American Writers Museum believes in the power of writing to influence our history, our culture and our daily lives. Our educational programming aims to inspire future generations of American writers. In these materials you will find downloadable curriculum to use at your own pace, guided virtual tours of our online exhibits, video tours and information about virtual field trips including online meet-and-greets with renowned and emerging writers working today.
Get your students excited about discovering new authors, revisiting beloved favorites, and writing their way into America’s ongoing story. For more information enter your email below or contact education@americanwritersmuseum.org.
If your class is interested in an in-person field trip at the American Writers Museum, please visit this page for more information.
Enter the 2nd Annual OnWord Student Writing Competition!
For this contest we ask students how they would use writing to create change they want to see in the world, and explore it in any form of writing that works for them: an essay, a short story, a poem, a play, a song, just so long as it is between 200 and 1000 words. Prizes up to $2,000 are available!
Fill out the form on this page to enter the competition and receive instructions & a judging rubric.
Learn moreVirtual Field Trips
The American Writers Museum is excited to offer a wide array of educational opportunities. Classes from across the country can enjoy the options below. Please fill out the form on the book now page to receive more information about booking the virtual experience that best suits your classes’ needs.
Guided Exploration of the American Writers Museum
Unavailable during museum closure
Led by a museum staff member, classes can be guided live through a tour of Nation of Writers and Mind of a Writer permanent exhibits. Or they can be guided through our online exhibits, My America: Immigrant and Refugee Writers Today or Frederick Douglass: Agitator. Scroll down to learn more about our online exhibits, and for a pre-recorded exploration of Museum space, click here.
Inquire HereMind of a Writer Live Activities
Lead your students through interactive gameplay and pop quizzes on major works of the past and present. High school students can test their knowledge of great American singers and songwriters and learn about literary allusions in their favorite music. Elementary school students travel into the past and learn how written works have changed into on-screen adaptations, while also testing their deciphering skills by translating emojis into the titles of classic books.
Book HereAsk A Writer
The “Ask A Writer” program offers students the chance to interact live with a writer in their own classroom. A 20-minute pre-recorded lesson introduces students to the writer. Then, students participate in a 30- to 40-minute live Q&A classroom visit with the published author about the craft of writing.
Please indicate interest in participation in classroom visits with the writers using the booking form. Pre-recorded lessons are available for each writer indicated.
Book HereAvailable Writers
Jacob Grant, children’s book author and illustrator, most recently of Bear Out There. View recorded lesson here.
Adrianna Cuevas, first-generation Cuban-American writer and middle-grade author of The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez. View recorded lesson here.
Misa Sugiura, author of the award-winning book It’s Not Like It’s A Secret and This Time Will Be Different and second-generation Japanese-American. View recorded lesson here.
Online Resources
These educational resources will enhance your virtual field trip or classroom experience. Explore online exhibits, watch videos of readings and author talks, and more!
Additional resources such as downloadable materials for each exhibit and guided walkthroughs will be available on this page upon filling out the form below. If you have questions on how to use these resources, please contact the Education team at education@americanwritersmuseum.org.
My America: Immigrant & Refugee Writers Today
The My America: Immigrant and Refugee Writers Today intiative explores the influence of modern immigrant and refugee writing in America on our culture, history, and daily lives.
Frederick Douglass: Agitator
Author and orator Frederick Douglass was a “self-made man” (the title of one of his most popular speeches). His words – passionate, brilliant, and powerful – denounced violent racism in the South while demanding true equality for all Americans.
American Voices
American Voices explores American history through the plethora of writing voices and forms that have shaped the country. Visitors can choose an era spanning from colonial times to the late 20th century and learn more about themes that define the American voice.
Additional My America: Immigrant & Refugee Writers Today Resources
My America Curriculum Outline – Instructions for Educators
Our teacher materials are designed to help educators create a structure that will benefit students who view our newly designed exhibit virtually.
197 Downloads
My America Curriculum – Organizer for Students
Use this graphic organizer to keep your findings in order as you watch the My America videos. Please read the instructions at the top of the first page before beginning.
Size: 382 KB
239 Downloads
Additional Frederick Douglass: Agitator Resources
Frederick Douglass: Agitator Curriculum Instructions
This instruction sheet will help guide educators through the materials below on which standards are met by each activity, and how to support students completing work virtually.
195 Downloads
Frederick Douglass: Agitator Vocabulary Terms (Grades 1-4)
This worksheet explores vocabulary terms that students may find in Frederick Douglass: Agitator. Please note that each page represents a different grade level.
336 Downloads
Frederick Douglass: Agitator Worksheet (Grades 5-12)
This worksheet can be used by grades 5-12, as it can be scaled for the topic you are currently working on.
168 Downloads
Additional American Voices Resources
American Voices Teacher Materials (Grades 5-7)
These instructions will guide educators through the process of completing the student activities and give an overview of the virtual exhibit.
165 Downloads
American Voices Student Materials (Grades 5-7)
Our education materials help students critically think of an author’s purpose of writing on themes of Influence, Persuasion, and Entertainment.
Size: 87.1 KB
133 Downloads
American Identities Teacher Instructions (Grades 8-12)
These instructions will show educators how to best prepare their class to use the student materials and navigate the virtual exhibit.
Size: 56.8 KB
136 Downloads
American Identities Student Materials (Grades 8-12)
Students analyze the theme of Identity by reading authors presented in the American Voices virtual exhibit.
Size: 75.7 KB
140 Downloads
My Personal Bookshelf Activity
Inspire a love of reading by asking learners of all ages to review the virtual exhibits and fill out this fun bookshelf of old favorites and new discoveries. 3rd & 4th grade learning objectives are met through this activity.
Size: 70.9 KB
176 Downloads
Personal Bookshelf Instructions (Grades 3-4)
Our materials show which learning objectives are met, how to use the activity in the classroom, and possible extensions.
Size: 44.8 KB
134 Downloads
Other Activities for Students
Share Your Immigration Story Here!
Participate in a group activity in which students can submit their immigration or migration story and see it alongside other visitor stories.
This asks visitors to download a folder of images (or supplement with their own selfies) and create a mosaic that shows them as an agitator. Feel free to share your students works with us on social media or the on-page uploader!
Further Recommended Readings on Enslaved People
Download this short list of further recommended readings to explore other works on the lives of enslaved people in the United States.
175 Downloads
American Voice Bingo Card
Play as a game or try to fill them all in by exploring the American Voices virtual exhibit!
Size: 33.4 KB
134 Downloads