School and Teacher Programs

Teacher Programs

School Programs for K–12 Students

Bring your class to the Block Museum this semester! Choose from a variety of engaging and exciting programs. From lively discussions to studio workshops, there is something for every class at the Block.

Activities are flexible and our creative education staff is happy to work with your curriculum goals when arranging the program for your visit. If you woud like a specialized tour, please contact the education department at 847.491.4852. All materials are provided for Gallery Activity and Studio Session tours.

All school tour reservations should be made at least four weeks in advance. Maximum of 30 students/minimum of eight to schedule. Reservations are also required for self-guided tours. Use the Group Reservation Form (pdf or Microsoft Word). For more information or to have a Group Reservation Form sent to you, email blockeducation@northwestern.edu.

Spring 2009

• Guided Tour, 45 minutes
  Free, Maximum 30 students
  Students will explore Gordon Parks's portraits and documentary photographs, discussing how artists tell stories in their artwork.
  
  
• Gallery Activity: Telling Stories, 60 minutes
  $10/group, Maximum 30 students
  Students will participate in a discussion-based tour and will then write and share stories about the photographs on view.
  
  
• Studio Session: Exploring Identity, 90 minutes
  $25/group, Maximum 30 students
  Students will participate in a discussion-based tour and will then create their own self-portrait collages, thinking about aspects of their own identities. Grades 4 and up only.

Teacher Programs

The Block Museum provides elementary, middle, and high school teachers with programs and resources to enhance arts learning in the classroom. All of our online lesson plans adhere to Illinois State Learning Standards in Fine Arts, English, or Social Studies. Lesson plans can be used for a Museum visit or onsite in your classroom. All lesson plans are available online for teachers and educators (see below). The Museum also offers teacher workshops exploring topics from studio programs to history and English lessons. Additionally, selections from the Block Museum’s permanent collection are available online for educational use. We invite teachers and other educators to use the Museum, its collection, and programs as teaching resources for your classroom.

Online Lesson Plans

• Drawing Art, Learning Drawing Techniques (PDF)
• Japanese Book Binding: Studying Images and Text (PDF)
• Creating Art Through Patterns (PDF)
• The Art of Chance: Creating Collaborative Work (PDF)
• Create an Expressive Portrait (PDF)
• The Continuous Portrait (PDF)
• Completing a Photograph (PDF)
• Learning to See (PDF)
• Exploring Series and Media (PDF)
• Communicating and Interpreting Nature (PDF)
• Create a Creature: Hands-on Genetics (PDF)
• Expressive Portraiture (PDF)

Teacher Workshops

No teacher programs are currently scheduled. Please check our website again this fall for updates.

Collection

Click here to search the Block’s collection.