User Image

museumonmainstreet Main Street

Elementary (9 to 12 years old), Middle School (13 to 15 years old), High School (16 to 18 years old), Adults, Post-Secondary
Language Arts And English, Social Studies, Arts

MoMS is excited to announce its Smithsonian's Stories from Main Street podcast! Inspired by all of the amazing stories that rural Americans across the country have shared with the Stories from Main Street program since its start in 2011, MoMS is delighted to present this podcast that shines a light on the culture of rural communities. This podcast is all about rural Americans and their amazing towns, and their connections to the content of Museum on Main Street exhibitions.

Everybody has a story to tell. The Smithsonian’s Stories from Main Street podcast shares the authentic voices and stories of people from small towns and rural communities across the United States. Gathered by MoMS and its partners, venues, and Stories: YES participants in towns all over, the stories featured in these curated episodes are raw, and real, and provide a unique window into the ever-changing, multi-faceted and diverse nature of America. Listen in and hear the patterns and connections in the stories—there may be differences between the miles, but there are probably a lot of similarities, too.

museumonmainstreet Main Street's collections

 

Storytelling Training: What is Cultural Storytelling?

<p>Whether you're participating in the Stories: YES program in conjunction with a Museum on Main Street exhibition or creating digital stories on your own, the six modules in the Storytelling Training Series will help you think through everything to help get started. In this short online course, you'll learn about what we call "cultural storytelling" and  what the value of cultural storytelling is to society at large. </p> <p>This training module was created by the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program, a part of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, in conjunction with the MuseWeb Foundation. </p>
museumonmainstreet Main Street
16
 

Storytelling Training: Research and Content Gathering

<p>Whether you're participating in the Stories: YES program in conjunction with a Museum on Main Street exhibition or creating digital stories on your own, the six modules in the Storytelling Training Series will help you think through everything to help get started. In this short course, we'll talk about some basic steps for beginning your research. You will learn about local and specific national online resources that will help you gather all the facts!</p> <p>This training module was created by the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program, a part of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, in conjunction with the MuseWeb Foundation.<br /></p>
museumonmainstreet Main Street
31
 

Storytelling Training: Creating Your Story

<p>Whether you're participating in the Stories: YES program in conjunction with a Museum on Main Street exhibition or creating digital stories on your own, the six modules in the Storytelling Training Series will help you think through everything to help get started. Ready to start developing your story? In this short course, you'll get some tips on how to create a story board, writing a non-fiction script, and more. </p> <p>This training module was created by the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program, a part of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, in conjunction with the MuseWeb Foundation.<br /></p>
museumonmainstreet Main Street
27
 

Storytelling Training: Brainstorming and Going into the Field

<p>Whether you're participating in the Stories: YES program in conjunction with a Museum on Main Street exhibition or creating digital stories on your own, the six modules in the Storytelling Training Series will help you think through everything to help get started. Unlike the other Storytelling Training courses where information is given to you, you'll be asked to contribute ideas for your own potential story in this course. There's no right or wrong answers here. It's a way to help you start planning. Remember to make a copy of this collection first if you want your answers to be saved so you can revisit them!</p> <p>This training module was created by the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program, a part of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, in conjunction with the MuseWeb Foundation.<br /></p>
museumonmainstreet Main Street
12
 

Crossroads - Faces of American Agricultural Innovation

<p>In this lesson, students will learn about the lives and innovations of the following people:</p> <ul><li>Dolores Huerta </li><li>Cyrus Hall McCormick</li><li>George Washington Carver</li><li>Rachel Louise Carson</li><li>Robert Fraley</li><li>Eli Whitney</li><li>Norman Borlaug</li></ul><p>This resource provides informative text on each slide, as well as videos and articles from outside educational resources. This resource is created for students to navigate independently, and includes optional biography and compare/contrast worksheet activities. </p> <p></p>
museumonmainstreet Main Street
18
 

Crossroads - Changes in American Agriculture

<p><strong>Today, rural communities are at a new crossroads- a meeting point of ideas where they can chart their own future. With their innovations and creative spirit, rural Americans are helping to define and shape the future of the country. </strong><br /></p> <p>In this lesson, students will:</p> <ul><li>Use key vocabulary terms associated with agricultural practices </li><li>Explore the past and modern issues surrounding agricultural practices </li><li>Analyze the ecological impact of modern agricultural practices</li></ul><p>A mix of articles, student handouts, historical artifacts and artwork provide an in-depth look at this complex topic. Each slide has information and/or quizzes attached for testing student comprehension. Open-ended questions are provided to stimulate further thought on the topic.</p> <p></p>
museumonmainstreet Main Street
11
 

Depictions of Water in American Impressionist Painting

<p>This collection explores different water scenes painted by nineteenth and twentieth century American impressionists. It looks at both technical vocabulary for art, and Impressionism as a movement. It uses multiple mediums and explores different artists over the period.</p> <p><strong>This lesson aims to:</strong><br /></p> <ul><li>Introduce students to Impressionist techniques in art, we well as specifically introduce American Impressionist painting. </li><li>Encourage discussion of the representation of water in the context of the Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibition <em>Water/Ways</em>. </li><li>Teach some foundational artistic concepts and vocabulary at the intermediate level to students, including: basic color theory, brushwork, expression, and mood.</li></ul><p><strong>Students should be able to:</strong> </p> <ul><li>Describe visual elements of painting with specific vocabulary. </li><li>Compare multiple paintings and artists, in terms of specific visual elements. </li><li>Compare artwork based on the representation of a specific subject: water. </li><li>[Optional Activity] Reproduce at least one technique from the following categories: color and brushwork.  <strong><br /></strong></li></ul>
museumonmainstreet Main Street
18
 

Water/Ways Museum on Main Street

<p>In conjunction with the Smithsonian Institutions Traveling Exhibition Services, Museum on Main Street exhibit Water/Ways,</p><p>This collection aims to give more resources and information that works with what is being displayed and talked about in the Water/Ways exhibit<br /></p><p>There are sections on the water cycle, water and its importance in different cultures and beliefs, the different forms it comes in on earth (i.e. rivers, glaciers, oceans and water falls), the different ways water impacts us and how we in turn impact water be it good or bad. Along with how we get water to our homes, use it to travel, enjoy it recreationally and how we continue to manipulate and change our worlds Water Ways.</p>
museumonmainstreet Main Street
81
 

Voices and Votes - Faces of Change in American Democracy

<p><strong>Description: </strong></p> <p>This learning lab introduces students to individuals who have shaped and participated in American democracy over time. Using a variety of resources, take in the stories and impact of Thomas Jefferson, Molly Pitcher, Thomas Paine, Richard Allen, William Apess, Wong Chin Foo, Alice Paul, Ella Baker, and Dolores Huerta.</p> <p><em>Voices and Votes: Democracy in America </em>is an exhibition from Museum on Main Street traveling to rural American from 2020-2025. <em>Voices and Votes</em> is based on the exhibition <em>American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith </em>at the National Museum of American History. This learning lab can be used in conjunction with the exhibition or as a stand alone resource on the history of democracy.<br /></p> <p>Visit <a href="https://www.historyexplorer.si.edu/" target="_blank">Smithsonian History Explorer</a> to learn more!  </p> <p>#historicalthinking</p> <p><strong>Guiding Questions:</strong></p> <p>Who has influenced American democracy? Why did they participate in American democracy and what did they achieve? Have these people changed over time?</p> <p>How have social movements changed American democracy throughout history?</p> <p>How can individuals or groups take action to participate in American democracy?</p> <p>What issues at a local, state, or national level affect your life? Can your participation in American democracy resolve those issues?</p> <p>Who is participating in and influencing national, state, or local conversations about  American democracy today? Who would you add to this list?</p>
museumonmainstreet Main Street
49