Integrating portraiture into the classroom provides exciting opportunities to connect students with history, biography, visual art, and many other subjects. The National Portrait Gallery collection presents the wonderful diversity of individuals who have left—and are leaving—their mark on our country and our culture. The museum portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives tell the American story. Be introduced to "learning to look" strategies in this collection—unique ways to hook and engage students when looking closely at portraits. <br /> <br /> This collection was created to support the 2016 CCSSO Teachers of the Year Day at the Smithsonian.