School Programs

The Bigger Picture

Understanding and appreciating local history is the foundation for students to be able to use those skills in a broader, worldwide context. By understanding their own history, students can make cross-cultural connections and appreciate diversity locally and worldwide.

Contemporary pedagogical methods highlight the importance of exposing students to new environments and surroundings. Take the opportunity to get out of the classroom and experience living history and local stories from artefacts. Allow students to explore and contemplate the role of the local museum in a contemporary setting.

The Importance of Place

A visit to the museum instills the importance of heritage and identity through the concept of ‘place'. Start developing cognitive awareness of the local community. How did they get to this ‘place'? Students may ask how and why Arnprior exists. The idea of ‘place' and belonging has evolved in a technological age. Explore the physical environment, what it means to belong to a ‘place' and the student's role in that place.

Community partners

As outlined in the Ontario Curriculum for social studies, history, and geography, using community resources can be very valuable in the enrichment of a student's education.

“Community partners are an important resource…Such organizations can provide expertise, skills, materials, and programs not available through the school…” pg.18

Allow us to serve you and your students as we build and strengthen ties between local schools and the surrounding community. Come partner with us!

Historical walking tours (Grades 7-12)

The Curator conducts three different walking tours for grades 7 to 12. They are:

• Local cemetery – Innis Bhuidhe or Albert Street cemetery
• Museum exhibits and local personalities
• Comparative architecture of the 19^th and 20^th centuries

Please wear sturdy walking shoes and dress for the weather. Each walking tour is $3 per student and teachers and chaperones are free.

Life of the early settlers (Grades 1-6)

Explore the life of early settlers in Arnprior through historical artifacts, commonly used by young and old in the mid-late 19th century and early 20th century. Family roles, traditions, and community life will be analyzed and interpreted. Students will be engaged with a comparative activity/craft of past vs. present life in Arnprior. A scavenger hunt of the museum will challenge students while immersing them in our exhibits. Activities will be adapted to suit the age of participants.

Recommended for Grades 1-6, Curriculum relevance for Grades 1, 2, 3, and 6

Arnprior postal service(Grades 2-6)

Students will learn about local history by examining the museum's landmark building at 35 Madawaska Street. Designed by dominion architect, Thomas Fuller, our museum's original purpose was a post office. The museum Curator will take students on a tour, pointing out features and artefacts related to the original post office. Students will look at vintage postcards and create their own postage stamp! Students will engage in conversations as they discuss the impacts that modern technology has had on the long history of the postal service.

Recommended for Grades 2-6, Curriculum relevance for grades 1, 2, 3, 6

Heritage and identity: First Nations studies (Grades 1-6)

Students will experience a guided tour of the “Arnprior ‘till now” exhibit, conducted by the museum Curator. They will then have the opportunity to handle living history artefacts from the Algonquin First Nations. Students will be encouraged to formulate questions surrounding the interaction between First Nations people and Europeans. Students will engage in a mapping activity that follows settlement patterns.

Recommended for Grades 1-6, Curriculum relevance for Grades 3 & 5

Our town, past and present (Grades 1-6)

A comparative mapping study is the basis for this activity. Through historical images and discussions of foundational community features (industry, education, commerce, community), students will compare Arnprior of the past to present day Arnprior. Students will be involved in a hands-on map-building activity. A scavenger hunt of the museum will challenge students while immersing them in our exhibits.

Recommended for Grades 1-6, Curriculum reverence for Grades 1, 2, 3, 6

Remembrance Day – Arnprior on the world stage (Grades 1-6)

The museum Curator will guide students on a tour of Arnprior on the world stage. This permanent exhibit displays profiles and memorabilia of local Arnprior residents and their war efforts. Photos and artefacts will allow students to appreciate the efforts put forth by everyday people to allow us the freedoms we enjoy today. Students will participate in the Postcards for peace program and send letters and post cards to surviving Ontario veterans. Students will also learn how to collect information for the exhibit and the difference between collecting primary and secondary information.

Recommended for Grades 1-6

Christmas: Traditions Past and Present (Grades 1-6)

Celebrate the holiday season at the museum! Students will learn about Christmas traditions of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In comparing and contrasting the ways of celebrating the holiday, students will learn how traditions have evolved over time. Create handmade ornaments to take home and enjoy the one activity that surpasses all cultural borders: food! Students will participate in a small group activity that engages in various and cross-cultural holidays.

Recommended for Grades 1-6

Customized Programs

Unable to find the right program? The museum wants to work with teachers to create programs that fit the needs of the classroom, while fulfilling curriculum requirements. We want to develop open communications with schools in order to take advantage of our resources. Whether an art requirement or social science, the Arnprior and District Museum is here to help. Contact us with your ideas and we'll do our best to make them happen!