Lessons and Activities
These free lessons and activities can be added to a tour or done stand alone to meet a class’s needs and available time.
Visit with Nona Miller, Curator of Education, to create the lesson that best fits your curriculum goals by calling 785-309-5776 or emailing nona.miller@salina.org.
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Cowboys:
This traveling trunk is all about the “cowboy way.” It’s best for grades 1-2, and leads students through a number of hands-on activities and lessons.
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Butter Making:There’s nothing like the smell and look of real butter. Students churn butter using an early 1900s style Dazey churn. Best for grades K-4. (Also offered during Kansas Days.)
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Tool Hunt:
Students observe, find and evaluate to determine what a particular pioneer tool was used for. This sensory activity is best for grades 1-4.
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Pack Your Wagon:
This problem-solving activity (also offered during Kansas Days), challenges students to work together to pack for the long 1860s trip to Kansas. Best for grades 3-6.
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Pack Your Packard:Students explore many topics including “food as a weapon,” discuss 1940s war posters, and shop for a family, staying within budget and ration points. Best with grades 4-7.
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Native Americans:
The Museum offers many ways for students to experience Native American culture, including discussing communication, hearing Kanza spoken, seeing pictographs, touching authentic replicas and more. In the Native American Game, students hunt, make decisions, gather and test their ability to survive. Can be adapted, (game best for 4th grade and up).
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Buffalo:North American Bison, or buffalo, were rulers of the plains when pioneers first saw them. Learn about their size and ability, why they were hunted and how they were saved. Touch various parts. Adaptable for most grades.
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Indian Burial Pit:Students peel back the many layers of the famed Indian Burial Pit and its closing, as they take on the personae of the stakeholders. Best for secondary grades or college introductory sociology classes.
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Scavenger Hunts:Can be timed or untimed, done in groups or individually. These hunts teach students to interact with the Museum on a number of levels as they solve problems and challenge their language arts skills. Hunts change on a regular basis.
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New activities:
If you don’t see what you’re looking for, or if you have an idea, please contact the Curator of Education. New activities may be added throughout the year.
