School Visits
Field trips to the Morris Museum offer an in-depth study of a particular permanent or changing exhibit. Exhibition programs are designed to meet curriculum standards in the humanities, fine arts, and sciences. A professional museum educator will lead your students through our galleries and engage them in a lively discussion. Programs are designed to allow students to experience learning in an interactive way using museum artifacts, reproductions, and hands-on activities. Also, our education staff welcomes inquiries about your needs for custom programs that may not be reflected in this Web site.
Teachers Resource:
Coming Soon (PDF)
Additional Resource for High School Art Teachers :
Coming Soon(PDF)
The following programs are based on non-permanent exhibitions at the museum. Dates are indicated with each program.
All programs are 60 minutes in length.
The cost for each attendee is $8 per program.
Please click each tab below to view the programs the museum has to offer.
September 22, 2012 – December 9, 2012
The Ordinary Made Extraordinary: A Survey of Folk Art
Grades: 1-12
Drawn from a private collection, this exhibition will explore the creativity of folk artists, with objects ranging from utilitarian cabbage slicers to story quilts to carousel horses. Artists represented include German immigrants, Pennsylvania Dutch, and African Americans. The exhibition will tell the story of folk art from early forms to contemporary expressions, and students will discuss the origins of folk art, its evolution, and the concept of outsider art. The program will end with a folk art making activity using recycled materials.
Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1.1.D, 1.2.D, 1.3.D, 1.4.D
Social Studies Standards: 6.1.B, 6.1.D
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B, 3.4.A, 3.4.B, 3.5.A, 3.5.B
Consumer, Family, and Life Skills Standards: 9.2.A
December 3, 2012 - March 17, 2013
Grades: 1-12
What is art? How is it made? Did you ever think that the toys you played with as a child could be used as an artistic medium? Think again! This exhibit features a new medium for art: toys! Students will examine different works of art created from familiar toys and discuss art work meanings and themes. The program will conclude with a LEGO® group building activity.
Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1.1.D, 1.3.D, 1.4.D
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B, 3.4.A, 3.4.B, 3.5.B.
March 22, 2013-September 3, 2013
Once Upon a Dime: The World of Money
Grades: 1-12
This exhibition invites young people to discover the fascinating story of money spanning the globe over thousands of years. They can peek into a large bank vault filled with all different kinds of money, follow the story of money from barter to digital dollars through a series of interactive exhibits, and be challenged to think how they would spend, save, and invest their own money.
Social Studies Standards: 6.3.C
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B, 3.4.A, 3.4.B
Consumer, Family, and Life Skills Standards: 9.2.A, 9.2.E
April 11, 2013 – June 9, 2013
Grades: 1-12
Fresh Perspectives is a juried exhibition featuring 50 works of art created by outstanding high school artists throughout New Jersey. The artwork of these talented students includes sculpture, drawing, painting, photography, and mixed media pieces. The goal of this program is to expose students to the diverse work of their peers and to exemplify how hard work and creativity can be rewarded. Students will share their interpretations of the artwork and participate in a sketching activity.
Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1.1.D, 1.2.A, 1.3.D, 1.4.A, 1.4.B
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B, 3.4.A, 3.4.B
May 2, 2013-September 8, 2013
Grades: 1-12
While observing and discussing contemporary quilts, students will explore the unique artistic medium of the art quilt. Artists featured in this exhibition combine painting, printmaking, and fabric dying with traditional quilt making techniques. Students will discuss the stories that each quilt communicates and examine the communication methods the artists employ. The program will conclude with a story quilt making activity.
Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1.1.D, 1.2.A, 1.3.D, 1.4.A, 1.4.B
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B, 3.4.A, 3.4.B
The following Exhibition Programs are based on permanent exhibitions and are available throughout the entire school year.
All programs are 60 minutes in length.
The cost for each attendee is $8 per program.
Please click each tab below to view the programs the museum has to offer.
Grades: K-4
This program focuses on the amazing diversity of the animal kingdom. Students will learn about the unique characteristics of both invertebrates and vertebrates, focusing specifically on mammals, birds, and reptiles found in New Jersey. Students will examine and handle a variety of objects found in nature, including deer antlers, turtle shells, owl pellets, and snake skin.
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B 3.4.A. 3.4.B
Science Standards: 5.1.A, 5.1.D, 5.3.B, 5.3.C, 5.3.E
Grades: K-4
Students will enjoy learning about the Earth and its prehistoric inhabitants. While in the Rock and Mineral Gallery, students will learn about simple geological processes, as they handle and observe a variety of rocks and minerals. Students will also learn about prehistoric life, while handling fossils, such as dinosaur eggs, tracks, and skin impressions in the new permanent exhibition, Digging Dinosaurs.
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B 3.4.A. 3.4.B
Science Standards: 5.1.A, 5.1.D, 5.4.B, 5.4.C
Grades: 2-8
This program focuses on the Earth and its geological processes, including volcanoes, erosion, and fossil formation. Students examine and handle a variety of geological specimens to learn about minerals and the three different types of rocks. Students will discover some of the common places that we can find rocks and minerals. At the conclusion of the program, participants will create their own fossils.
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B 3.4.A. 3.4.B
Science Standards: 5.1.A, 5.1.D, 5.4.B, 5.4.C
Grades: 2-8
Take a journey to the past and visit the Earth millions of years ago, when the dinosaurs roamed. Learn about dinosaurs, as well as the different reptiles and mammals that shared the Earth with them. Students will handle various materials, including real dinosaur fossils. At the conclusion of the program, students will learn how scientists name dinosaurs using Latin and Greek root words and create their own mixed media dinosaur.
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B 3.4.A. 3.4.B
Science Standards: 5.1.A, 5.1.D, 5.3.C, 5.3.E, 5.4.B
Grades: 3-8
How do plants and animals become endangered? A lively discussion and hands-on activities focusing on habitats and food chains will increase students’ understanding of Earth’s biodiversity and the interdependence of all living things. Students will examine how both nature and human actions affect all living things. A game of Habitat Musical Chairs will teach students about the profound effect that one action has on all living creatures.
Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1.3.A, 1.3.B
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3, 3.4
Science Standards: 5.1.A, 5.1.D, 5.3.C, 5.3.E
Social Studies Standards: 6.1.B, 6.3.B, 6.3.D
Grades: 2-12
Look, learn, and write! Students will examine a variety of objects from the Museum’s collection and learn to describe, analyze, and interpret artwork. This program will focus on the 4 stages of art criticism and will enable students to understand and decipher various types of art. Students
will end the program by individually selecting a piece of art and creating a museum label for the artwork.
Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1.1.D, 1.2.A, 1.3.D, 1.4.A, 1.4.B
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.2-3.4
Grades: K-12
This program will introduce students to four different Native American geographical and cultural areas in the United States: Eastern Woodlands, Plains, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest. While handling artifacts from each of these culture areas, students will learn about everyday life and important role natural resources played for American Indian cultures. Students will also be introduced to innovative Native American technologies and have the opportunity to operate an Iroquois fire-pump drill.
Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1.1.D, 1.2.A
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B 3.4.A. 3.4.B
Science Standards: 5.3.C
Social Studies Standards: 6.1.B, 6.1.C, 6.1.D, 6.2.B, 6.2.C, 6.2.D
Grades: K-12
This program explores mechanical musical instruments and automata (mechanical figures) as reflections of their time by relating them to history, art, science, and technology. Discover how these inventions work (through the use of simple machines), who made them, and who enjoyed them before the “music on demand” era of CDs and iPods. Students will enjoy a live demonstration and visit the Guinness Gallery, where they will view nearly 150 machines that span over 300 years. All objects are from the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection at the Morris Museum.
Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1.1.B, 1.1.D, 1.2D, 1.3.B, 1.3.D
Language Arts Literacy Standards: 3.3.A, 3.3.B 3.4.A. 3.4.B
Science Standards: 5.1.B, 5.1.D, 5.2.C, 5.2.D, 5.3.E
Social Studies Standards: 6.1.C, 6.1.D, 6.2.C, 6.2.D
All programs are 60 minutes in length.
The cost for each attendee is $8 per program.
Please click each tab below to view the programs the museum has to offer.
Visit a word where metal combs can make music and dolls can come to life! The Murtogh D. Guinness Collection includes over 600 music boxes and automata that span over 300 years. Children will be introduced to simple machines and historical innovation. Specific vintage music boxes and automata will be demonstrated for the program. Children will also have an opportunity to explore the gallery and create their own punched paper roll.
Young students will enjoy learning about the Earth and its prehistoric inhabitants. While in the Rock and Mineral Gallery, students will learn about simple geological processes, as they handle and observe a variety of rocks and minerals. Students will also learn about prehistoric life, while handling fossils, such as dinosaur eggs, tracks, and skin impressions in the new permanent exhibition, Digging Dinosaurs.
While exploring the museum galleries, younger students discover three different forms of art and develop a new awareness and appreciation for art. Students will search for recognizable objects, shapes, and colors, while traveling through the museum. The program will conclude with students participating in a watercolor painting activity
Pre-registration is required for Special Programs.
Appropriate for Grades 6-12
To pre-register for these special programs, please call 973-971-3710.
Program Fee: $8 per person
Space is limited. These programs will be presented in the museum’s Bickford Theatre.
A suggested resource list is provided to the participating classes prior to the program.
A deposit of 50% is required upon receipt of this confirmation. Full payment is due no later than one month before the program. If you must cancel, please contact the museum at least one month before the program for a return of your deposit. There are no refunds for cancellations less than one month before the program.
A reduced museum admission price of $3 per person is available when purchasing tickets to any Special Program for Students in the Bickford Theatre.
Survivors Speak – A Conversation with Survivors of the Holocaust
10:30 am-12:00 pm
May 8, 2012
May 9, 2012
May 15, 2012
May 16, 2012
Become a witness. Middle and high school students and teachers are invited to participate in this moving and significant program that brings students face-to-face with Holocaust Survivors in an educational environment.
Barbara Wind, director of the Holocaust Council of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest in Whippany, moderates the program and provides a brief overview of the Holocaust and its place in the history of genocide. Members of the United Jewish Communities Holocaust Council Speakers Bureau speak about their individual experiences during World War II and the Holocaust. From concentration camp survivors to hidden children, survivors give firsthand accounts of the atrocities of war and hate that are descriptive, powerful, and poignant. Students will have the opportunity to meet these living witnesses and participate in a question and answer period.
How to Book an Exhibition Program
1
Call the Morris Museum at 973-971-3710 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, or email educator@morrismuseum.org.
Programs are scheduled Tuesday through Saturday by reservation only. The museum is closed to the public on Mondays, but the offices are open for bookings. Programs can be scheduled starting at 9:30 am.
2Program prices listed with each Exhibition Program are per person, which includes teachers and chaperones. Groups must meet a 10 person paying minimum to receive a program. Two classroom teachers are admitted free of charge. If groups do not meet the 10 person paying minimum, but wish to still receive a program they will be charged $80.00 for the program ($8/person).
3Professional museum educators lead each group. Groups are limited to 30 students, and larger groups will be divided into sections. Groups must have 1 adult chaperone for every 10 students, but no more than 1 adult for every 10 children.
We appreciate groups who arrive promptly for programs. Groups should arrive 10 minutes prior to their scheduled program start time to allow time for disembarkment from the bus and entrance into the museum. The museum does its best to accommodate late groups. If a conflict with other programs or groups arises, however, the museum reserves the right to adjust, change, or shorten the scheduled program.
The museum can accommodate small groups who request lunchroom facilities if space is available and the school provides advance notice. The outdoor picnic area at the museum is also available by reservation, weather permitting. Please discuss all eating facility arrangements at the time of booking your program.
Groups of 10 or more who wish to browse without a museum educator are charged $5 per person. Reservations are required to receive this reduced fee.
4
Please have the following information available when you are making a reservation:
Date and hour of arrival
School name, address, and phone number
Email address
School district and county
Name of teachers accompanying the group
Grade level
Number of students and adults (at least one chaperone for every ten students is recommended)
Any special needs or requests of the group
A confirmation letter that lists program specifics will be sentto the contact teacher. Please review your letter carefully and let us know if you have any questions or concerns. A deposit of 50% is due upon receipt of this confirmation. The remaining balance will be payable at the time of the program.
Tips and Hints
Visit the museum prior to your field trip to familiarize yourself with the museum and to help prepare class activities. You will receive free admission if you let us know you are coming! Contact 973-971-3710 or educator@morrismuseum.org for details.
Let us know what your students are studying and how the program you scheduled connects to your program topic. This will help us tailor your program to your specific needs.
Before your trip have students develop questions about the museum or the topic of their program. Compile the questions and bring them on the trip.
Your museum visit does not have to be limited to your program! Access to the entire museum is included in the program cost, and students may browse with their chaperones before or after their program.
Souvenir package options are available through the gift shop. Please inquire about this option while scheduling your trip.
Call the Morris Museum at 973.971.3710 or email educator@morrismuseum.org
to book your program today!
