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Teaching with Drama
Examine collections of the Museum's key resources on major themes in American history and social studies teaching. Additional resources can be found in the main search areas of the website.
Meet historical characters in these videos of museum theater performances.
Blog Post: How (not) to teach with drama
For nearly a decade, the museum has used theater as a means of enlivening the visitor experience and engaging the public in dialogue on challenging topics in history. Thousands of visitors have joined a mock civil rights training session, debated the use of violence with John Brown, or met Louise the Wheelwoman and discovered the social changes wrought through the use of the bicycle. Through our teacher professional development programs, we have taught educators nationwide about how to incorporate these programs into history classes and have seen some excellent, creative examples. However, we have also heard about some troubling uses of drama in the classroom. Theater can be a powerful teaching tool, but one to be used wisely and carefully. Here we share a few guidelines and recommendations for classroom educators on using theater in history teaching.
Join the Student Sit-Ins Classroom Videos
In this series of five short videos, students can watch a museum theater presentation. During the presentation, a fictional composite character from 1960 is conducting a training session for people interested in joining a student sit-in to protest racial segregation. The student speaks about the recent protests in Greensboro, North Carolina, and coaches members of the audience in the philosophy and tactics of non-violent direct action.
Join the Student Sit-Ins Teacher Guide for the Classroom Videos
Watch and discuss a 22-minute video of a Museum theater presentation. During the presentation, a fictional composite character from 1960 is conducting a training session for people interested in joining a student sit-in to protest racial segregation. The student speaks about the recent protests in Greensboro, North Carolina, and coaches members of the audience in the philosophy and tactics of non-violent direct action.
This teacher guide also includes instructions for an in-classroom simulation, suggested extension activities, and lyrics for a sing-along performance of a freedom song.
Making the Star-Spangled Banner Classroom Videos
Watch four short videos to learn about the story of the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the National Anthem. During the presentation, Mary Pickersgill (a historical figure with a fictional monologue) is working on a garrison flag to fly over Baltimore’s Fort McHenry. She speaks about the War of 1812, the process of creating the giant flag, and thoughts about the meaning of the flag. The presentation was created by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, where the flag that inspired the National Anthem is on display.
Making the Star-Spangled Banner Teacher Guide for the Classroom Videos
Watch and discuss a 12-minute video of a theater presentation about the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the National Anthem. During the presentation, Mary Pickersgill (a historical figure with a fictional monologue) is working on a garrison flag to fly over Baltimore's Fort McHenry. She speaks about the War of 1812, the process of creating the giant flag, and thoughts about the meaning of the flag. The presentation and teacher guide were created by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, where the flag that inspired the National Anthem is on display.
This teacher guide also includes suggested extension activities and lyrics to the complete "Star-Spangled Banner" song.
Meet the Wheelwoman
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History presents a filmed version of its on-the-floor program, Meet the Wheelwoman.
In this film, you’ll hear from a wheelwoman—a female bicycle rider from the 1890s—and learn about how women of that era used bicycles to change their lives.
You can also view this video in segments to facilitate an inquiry based lesson with your class.
Film Segments:
Introduction - vimeo.com/187725054/7b187bef7c
Do children ride bicycles? - vimeo.com/187725055/5a2e8ad363
What do you wear to ride? - vimeo.com/187725052/25217d8ede
What is the suffrage movement? - vimeo.com/187725061/acf150ca80
What do people think about women riding bicycles? - vimeo.com/187725057/85fef57e6e
What is a safety bicycle? - vimeo.com/187725059/9b8e2c1790
How much does a bicycle cost? - vimeo.com/187725053/16c7d79012
How are the roads? - vimeo.com/187725058/d112b1570c
What’s in your basket? - vimeo.com/187725050/dcb6fb2664
Non-segmented version: vimeo.com/187725051/ff4ec86f45
The Suffragist
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History presents a filmed version of its on-the-floor program, The Suffragist.
This set of three classroom videos examines the actions taken by suffragists in 1917 as they fought to win the right to vote. Students meet Rebecca, a historical character from Takoma Park, Maryland, who is grappling with the decision of whether, and if so how, she will join the movement. Through this, students analyze and discuss the suffragists’ arguments and strategies, and investigate the guiding question: What did it take for women to win the vote?
The educators' guide for these videos, which can be downloaded here, contains critical thinking questions, discussion prompts, and links to a collection of primary sources at Smithsonian’s Learning Lab. These resources guide students to explore how the suffragists used the first amendment freedoms provided for citizens within the Constitution to take action, affect change, and reshape their democracy.
Film Segments:
Joining the Movement: https://vimeo.com/258091287 In this video, Rebecca examines the history of the woman suffrage movement and decides whether or not to join the Silent Sentinels in their picket of the White House.
Votes for Women: https://vimeo.com/258089443 In this video, Rebecca speaks at an open air meeting to argue why women should have the right to vote.
Silent Sentinels: https://vimeo.com/258090364 In this video, Rebecca discusses the Silent Sentinels' picket at the White House and the public reaction to their protest.
All segments: https://vimeo.com/258816882
The Time Trial of Benedict Arnold
In this lesson, students will examine the difference between history and memory by debating the legacy of Benedict Arnold. Using video clips of an actor playing Arnold, students are invited to debate his actions and determine how history should remember him.
The Time Trial of John Brown
In this lesson, students will examine the difference between history and memory by debating the legacy of John Brown. Using video clips of an actor playing Brown, students are invited to debate his actions and determine how history should remember him. The video segments are also available on YouTube.
