National Portrait Gallery
Smithsonian Institution
Eighth and F Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 275-1738
Instructional Unit:
A trip to the National Portrait Gallery will provide students with a working knowledge of interpreting portraits, as well as learning of politics.
Curriculum Unit:
Grade 5
General
Objectives:
The students will be introduced to politics, portraits, Presidents, and pretenders.
Pre-Visit Activities:
A docent will visit the classroom to organize the students into political parties. Each party will name itself, choose a candidate, and develop its positions on the issues.
On-Site Activities:
During the visit to the museum, the subject of portraiture will be introduced. The students will meet past winners and losers in the presidential sweepstakes by studying paintings, sculptures, and cartoons. The students will become actively involved in creating and interpreting portraits.
Follow-Up Activities:
1. Students will make up slogans, design campaign posters, and hold an election for their newly created party.
2. The history of political winners and losers will be researched and reported by the students.
3. Students will also create their own political cartoons.
Appendices: none
Bibliography: none
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