Pre- and Post-Visit Activities: Kindergarten - Grade 4

Art Detectives
Guided Visit

Pre-Visit Activities

• Introduce students to the Allentown Art Museum by describing where it is, where it is located and what it contains. Ask students: What is a museum? Has anyone ever been to the Allentown Art Museum or another museum before? What did you see at the museum? Explain how they will get to the Museum and what will happen once they arrive.
  
  
• Introduce students to works of art at the Allentown Art Museum by viewing images in the online collection. Select artworks that clearly demonstrate the elements line, color, and shape. Ask students to describe what they see using the "I Spy" game approach.
  
  Note: Images can be viewed onscreen in a computer lab, printed, or projected.
  
  
• Review Museum Etiquette with students to ensure they understand the unique qualities of museums as compared to other places that are familiar to them — the library, their house, the grocery store, etc.

Post-Visit Activities

• Review the trip with students. Ask them: What did they see? What did they do while they were at the Allentown Art Museum? What was their favorite artwork or activity? Have the students create a thank-you card to send to the Museum docent or educator that worked with their group. Have them draw their favorite artwork on the front.
  
  
• Using the Museum's online collection, have students tell a story using a work of art as the departure point. Ask students to use descriptive words and to include the way the artwork makes them feel and why.
  
  
• Create mini-museums using shoe boxes. Have students cover the walls with colored paper or paint, then create their own mini drawings, paintings, and sculptures to place inside their museum. What's the name of their museum?
  
  
• Have students make a drawing, painting, or sculpture that illustrates "The best day of my life was..." Once all the artworks are complete, create a gallery to showcase the works and have students share their story with the rest of the class or another student.

More Pre- and Post-Visit Activities

Kindergarten - Grade 4
ART DETECTIVES
THE FOUR SEASONS
MY FIRST VISIT TO THE MUSEUM
SENSATIONAL SENSES
SCULPTURE: SHAPES TO WALK AROUND

Grades 5 - 8
SIGNS & SYMBOLS: DECODING ART
NEW WAYS OF SEEING THE WORLD
BY DESIGN: ART & LIFE
PERSPECTIVE IN DEPTH
SCULPTURE: SHAPES TO WALK AROUND
THE RENAISSANCE CONNECTION

Grades 9 - 12
SIGNS & SYMBOLS: DECODING ART
NEW WAYS OF SEEING THE WORLD
BY DESIGN: ART & LIFE
SKETCHING THE LANDSCAPE