Learning on Display: Student-Created Museums That Build Understanding

The story of the civil rights movement. The characteristics of Japanese art and culture. The importance of innovation. The history of your community. No matter the subject area or the grade level, a school museum project can improve learning and teaching. Unlike science fairs or art shows, which highlight the work of individuals, school museums are collaborative, multifaceted projects that build understanding. As students engage in meaningful work and deepen their knowledge of a specific topic, teachers gain insight into best instructional practices.

Through photographs and classroom examples, former curriculum director, teacher, and museum educator Linda D'Acquisto shows how school museums inspire students' curiosity and creativity; encourage responsibility and teamwork; and strengthen writing, communication, research, and problem-solving skills. You will learn the process for developing your own exhibition, including strategies for

* incorporating academic content standards

* assessing learning and understanding

* guiding research, writing, and design

* promoting partnerships among students, colleagues, parents, and the community

* using the completed museum as a teaching tool

With its step-by-step approach and practical resources, Learning on Display will help you transform your curriculum into motivating museum projects that make class work rigorous, memorable, and fun.