When bad things happen, community helpers are there to keep people safe! Find out who helps in your community and celebrate them with a special certificate. Part of an OurStory module entitled September 11, 2001, this activity includes a photograph of a certificate in the Museum’s

Scientists have had to record their observations in different ways throughout time. Use Google Sky to explore the sky, then share your observations through sketches and figurative language.  Included in an OurStory module from Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled Ex

Although many Americans are turning more and more to credit cards to buy the things they want, most Americans still handle paper money and coins on a regular basis.  It is important for children (and adults!) to be comfortable counting and handling money and to think about the people and ide

Community service is an important part of being a good citizen. In this activity, students will discuss an episode from Freedom on the Menu, a work of children's literature about an important event during the Civil Rights Movement; identify a problem in their local community and then vol

Dance is just one way to turn music into something you can see. Your computer can take music and turn it into a different kind of visible art. Part of an OurStory module entitled An American Story in Dance and Music, this activity includes step-by-step directions for exploring your compu

Although many children are already familiar with what money looks like and with how and when their families use money, it is important that they also understand how money itself works. The money we use, coins and currency, has very little value on its own. Coins and bills only h

This booklet, connected to the Invention at Play online exhibition from the Lemelson Center, highlights inventors who started out as great players and who recall a strong link between their play and inventing. It encourages adults to create an enriching play/inventing environme

Freedom on the Menu is a work of children's literature that tells the story of the Greensboro sit-ins from the perspective of a young girl. This activity includes four reading helpers that will help adults and children actively read Freedom on the Menu together. It is included i

In this activity, students will learn how to answer questions by examining objects as well as learn about a book about Native American culture named When Clay Sings. This worksheet can help guide students while visiting a museum, library, website, or any location where objects are used t

In this activity, children will create their own family flag using colors and pictures that have personal meanings. They will then explain why they chose those colors and pictures and their meanings. This resource is included in an OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner