Students, use this in-gallery activity to explore the galleries. Find artifacts and stories that interest you and use them to practice ways to think like a historian and how to question gallery objects.

There are currently two versions of this activity. Each version has you explore a different gallery. Click on the following links to download the activity.

  • My NMAAHC Journal: The Community Galleries (PDF)
    • You will explore the following exhibitions located within the Community Galleries: Making a Way out of No Way, Sports: Leveling the Playing Field, Double Victory: The African American Military Experience, and the Power of Place.
  • My NMAAHC Journal: The Culture Galleries (PDF)
    • You will explore the following exhibitions located within the Culture Galleries: Cultural Expressions, Musical Crossroads, Visual Arts and the African American Experience (currently holding Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience), and Taking the Stage.

My NMAAHC Journal is designed to engage students with following historical thinking skills:

  • Questioning Primary Sources (Gallery Objects) 
  • Examining and Using Primary Sources (Gallery Objects) as Evidence
  • Identifying Historical Cause and Effect
  • Crafting an Historical Argument
  • Exploring Historical Perspective
  • Identifying Historical Events on a Timeline

Supplementary Guide for Adults

Parents, Guardians, and Educator follow along with(or be ready to assist) your student(s) by downloading the Supplementary Guide for Adults .  These are designed to be used on a mobile device. This guide includes:

  • Overview of each activity;
  • Practice Skill – a learning goal of each activity;
  • Prompt questions and tips – ask your student these questions to deepen their thinking;
  • Your Turn! - These questions are for you to answer.

My NMAAHC Journal: The Community Galleries - Supplementary Guide for Adults (PDF)
My NMAAHC Journal: The Culture Galleries - Supplementary Guide for Adults (PDF)

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