NC+History+Museum-+Alex+Goforth

Part I.
My favorite part of the history museum was the section on the pirates from North Carolina. Since I did not grow up in North Carolina my knowledge of the history here is very limited. I have learned a lot through history courses in college, especially of NC, but the pirates were never covered. I have heard of some of the pirates that were listed in the exhibit but not in detail. I feel like I learned a lot while walking through. I really enjoyed the treasure chest. I found it very interesting that pirates were not taking gold but they were taking goods, weapons, supplies and food. This is not what one thinks of when they think of pirates. I love how this section was interactive and surprising. This exhibit shows a new perspective of North Carolina history that one does not typically think of. Treasure chest (typical stereotype) Treasure chest (actual)

Part II.
Before taking the students to the museum I would go through a list of expectations. There needs to be a clear understanding of what behavior is acceptable and what is not. Students should behave in a manner that reflects positively on the school. I would take students on this field trip towards the end of their 8th grade social studies class. This way they have already covered most of the material in the exhibit and the field trip would be reinforcing their knowledge. I would do a brief introduction of the museum's history and what hit holds. Before leaving I would give them an activity so they will stay on task. **2. As a teacher how would you guide your students through the exhibits?** I would provide my students with a worksheet that enables them to interact with the information presented and keeps them focused. This worksheet will be in chronological order so they can fill it out as they go. This worksheet could also double as a study guide after leaving the museum. The worksheet will help the students focus on important facts and exhibits. **3. Which sections of the exhibits would you focus on the most? Why?** I would try to focus on the unusual aspects of the museum. There were several sections that are not covered in depth in American history. I think that it is important to cover the cultural aspects of the native Americans. This topic is not usually covered in depth until higher education. I think that it is important for students to know and understand more about native populations. I also want to focus on the pirate exhibit. I found this exhibit really fun and interactive. I believe that students will enjoy this section of the museum and will have not problem focusing on this. Another big section I would focus on is slave life in North Carolina. The actual living and working conditions. I believe that it is important to see the differences in how African Americans lived versus white Americans. The last big topic I would focus on in the museum is how war affected North Carolina. Whether it be soldiers, drafts, families, or big battles that took place in NC. Students should know the history of their state including some of the darker times. The first thing I would do once the class got back to the classroom is to have a class discussion on what we saw. What were their favorite exhibits? Why? What was their least favorite exhibit? Why? Did the students learn anything new at the museum? Then I would go over the worksheet with them. See if the students had any questions or varying answers. Students could also create small presentations on their favorite exhibit. Explaining why it is their favorite and what they learned from it. They could take the information a step farther and get more information on the exhibit to expand their knowledge of the history of North Carolina. I think it would very hard to keep an eye on all the students at once. The museum winds and turns it would be extremely difficult to keep an eye on all the students at once. This museum also is very interactive and the students will be able to touch them.However their are many exhibits that are open but not meant to be touched. I would be worried about students messing with the exhibits when they are not supposed to. I also would be worried about students getting very distracted. Right at the beginning of the entrance of the Story of North Carolina is a Scotty Mccreery display. Students will be drawn to that instead of what they are supposed to looking at.
 * 1. How would you prep your students prior to their visit to the museum? **
 * 4. What types of activities would you create while the students are visiting the museum? **
 * Fill in the blank- for important information (dates, locations, name)
 * Drawing exhibits, maps, and artifiacts
 * Short answer/ list form- for important information they learn about the artificats
 * opinion questions- so they can actively relate to the exhibits
 * important historical figures- biographical information
 * 5. How would you extend the activities into the classroom? **
 * 6. What questions or concerns might you have as a teacher taking a group of students to a museum with vast exhibits? **

Part III.
Here is my mock worksheet I would use on this field trip.