• Core Programs
• Special Interest Programs
• Temporary Exhibit Programs
• Information for Teachers
• Education Kits – Newly Updated!

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Program Descriptions
2011-2012 School Year

Core Programs

My First Visit to the Museum
Preschool to Grade 2
Social Studies, Language, Science and Technology, The Arts
Perfect for Grade 1 Social Studies

Introduce your students to the world of the Thunder Bay Museum and discover the meaning of the words “museum”, “gallery”, “exhibit”, “artifact” and more. Practice museum etiquette, touch and feel items in our collection, enjoy a hands-on activity created especially for new museum-goers, and receive an official Museum certificate for each student upon completion of the program.

Ojibway Stories (1600 to 1950)
Preschool to Grade 2
Social Studies, Language, Science and Technology, The Arts
A great program for Grade 2 Social Studies – Traditions and Celebrations!

Do you know how Chipmunk got his stripes? Or why Porcupine has quills? Sit around the wigwam and listen to animal legends as we explore the oral tradition of storytelling. Then, make your very own animal puppet and join in a singsong with the hand drum. A fun & interactive program!

Amy's Story (1914-1934)
Grade 1 to Grade 3
Social Studies, Language, Science and Technology, Health and Physical Education, The Arts
Excellent for Grade 1 Social Studies

Amy was a young girl who lived in the east end of Fort William. Discover how family life, playtime, and jobs in our community at the beginning of the 20th century were different from today and design your own character to take home. Would you have liked to grow up in Amy’s time?

Early Settler Children (1860-1900)
Grade 1 to Grade 3
Social Studies, Language, Science and Technology, Health and Physical Education, The Arts
The perfect program for your Grade 3 Early Settlements Unit

What were children like in pioneer times and what did they do? Take an interactive look at past toys, games, schooling, and chores. Make a fun optical illusion thaumatrope toy to take home, too.

Land of the Sleeping Giant (1600 to 1950)
Grade 1 to Grade 6
Social Studies, Language Arts, The Arts

The region’s unique land formations have always been awe inspiring, but do you know the legends about how they came to be? Discover the stories of the Sleeping Giant, Kakabeka Falls, and more as we continue the oral tradition of the people who lived in the area many years ago, and participate in related activities.

The Ojibway (1600-1950)
Grade 3 to Grade 12
Social Studies, History, The Arts
Perfect for Grades 3 and 6 Social Studies

This program explores the history of the clothing, tools, food, shelter, and transportation of the Ojibway. Students will gain a better understanding of the region's earlier inhabitants and of the European influence leading to, during, and after the Fur Trade.

Can You Dig It? (10,000 B.P. to 1650)
Grade 4 to Grade 10
Social Studies, History, Science and Technology
A great program for Grade 5 Social Studies – Early Civilizations
This program is best for groups with fewer than 25 students

Enhance your Early Civilizations unit as we take a hands-on look at the Museum’s pre-history collection. Try some archaeology for yourself to learn about the process of uncovering and classifying artifacts. You never know what you’ll discover!

We Remember (World Wars I and II)
Grade 4 to Grade 12
Social Studies, History
Excellent program to bring local flavour to Grade 10 History

Preparing your class for Remembrance Day? Whether it is prior to Remembrance Day, November the 11th itself, or during your history units, join us at the Museum. Our hands-on activity featuring our collection of artifacts from World War I and World War II will be sure to spark the interest of your students.

Immigrants to the Lakehead (1880-1900)
Grade 7 to Grade 12 & Adult ESL Classes
Social Studies, History, Language
A great program for Grade 8 History – Canada: A Changing Society

Thunder Bay has a rich multicultural heritage. Learn what brought immigrants to Northwestern Ontario, view artifacts brought to the area from other countries, and examine mystery boxes filled with documents, photographs and artifacts to find clues about the owners: who were they? And why did they stay in the Lakehead?

History Made by Hand (1880-1920)
Grade 7 to Grade 12
Social Studies, History
A great program for Grade 8 History – Canada: A Changing Society

Thunder Bay was built by the sweat of manual labourers who immigrated to this area in the late 1800s. We will explore what attracted these people to settle here and how they shaped our present city.

1920s to 1930s
Grade 7 to Grade 12
History, The Arts
Perfect for Grade 10 Canadian and World Studies classes

What faces, places and events were happening in the region during the 20s and 30s? See what the Lakehead looked like after the turn of the 20th century and learn about how the area was affected by the Great Depression. Get a glimpse of a locally produced silent film too!!!

Special Interest Programs

Silver Islet (1870-1890)
Grade 4 to Grade 12
Social Studies, History, Science and Technology

Silver Islet, at one time the world's richest silver mine, has quite a past. Students will uncover the legend of the mine, the way of life during that period, and the actual operations. It’s a fascinating story.

Shipwreck (1870-1915)
Grade 4 to Grade 12
Social Studies, History, Science and Technology

Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, is also a graveyard for thousands of marine vessels. We will focus on the fates of the Algoma, America and Gunilda; ships that all went down in the area. Dive into this program and discover the importance of these underwater “museums”.

Scavenger Hunt
Grade 4 to Grade 12

Interested in bringing your students for a shorter or less-structured program? Familiarize yourself with the Thunder Bay Museum with a general guided tour…then you’re off in teams for a hunt that will send you through three floors of galleries. Take a look at our online exhibit schedule to decide which time of year is best for you to come a-hunting!

Albert: A Canadian Dinosaur
Albert: a Canadian Dinosaur March 19 - June 29, 2012
Preschool to Grade 3
Social Studies, Science and Technology, The Arts

Albert, our resident dinosaur, is clawing his way back for our most popular program! Learn about Albert and other dinosaurs that lived in Canada millions of years ago, then grasp the opportunity to be palaeontologists, searching for bones and reconstructing a dinosaur, and much more!

Marking our Territory: Milestones of Thunder Bay
Sept. 7-Nov. 11, 2011
Grade 1 to Grade 6 Social Studies, Language
Fantastic for Grades 1 & 3 Social Studies

Plaques of local historical and geographical significance, placed all around the city, have been recreated, staged with artifacts, and brought together for this limited-time exhibit. Using maps & sleuthing skills, students will travel though the Lakehead's past in order to learn about fascinating people, places, events & more!

A Victorian Christmas (1837-1901)
Nov.21 - Dec. 23, 2011
Preschool to Grade 8
Social Studies, The Arts

Enter into the world of a Victorian Christmas. Sights, sounds and scents of Christmas in the 1800s will greet you and your students and warm your hearts. Learn the origin of popular yuletide traditions, make a Victorian craft, learn a circle dance, and sample some "Wassail". This is an experience that students and teachers will not soon forget.

Batteries Not Included: Toys of Christmas Past
Nov. 21-Dec. 23, 2011
Preschool - Grade 8
Social Studies, The Arts

Surround yourself with the magic of our delightful holiday utoy shop", filled with locally-made wooden toys, gifts & decorations from the Superior Association of Woodworkers (S.A.W.). Learn about popular "must-have" toys from the past, discover woodworking techniques in toy-making & create your own treasure to take home. Book early! Our holiday programs fill up quickly.

Voices of the Town: Vaudeville in Canada (1870s to 1920s)
March 4 - April 30, 2012
Grade 4 to Grade 12
The Arts, Social Studies, History, Language
From the Peterborough Museum & Archives

In an era before television and radio, Vaudeville was the most popular form of family entertainment in North America, featuring fast-paced variety sketches, comedy, music, acrobats, amazing feats and unbelieveable stunts. Visiting classes will be led through the "School for Vaudeville" as they interactively explore life as a vaudeville performer: a memorable and entertaining experience for everyone.

Arresting Images: Mug Shots from the OPP Museum (1886 -1908)
June 11 - June 29, 2012
Grade 4 to Grade 12
Social Studies, History, Law, The Arts, Language, English
Perfect for Grade 5 & 6 Social Studies!

This fun & fascinating program features an award-winning travelling exhibition of 100 mug shots, documenting a unique historic encounter between the police of the time and suspects and criminals of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It provides a unique interactive perspective on the social history of Ontario and the practices of early policing in Ontario.

To receive news and e-mail notifications of upcoming programming, join the Museum's Educator's Mailing List by e-mailing the Education Services Manager .

In-House Programs
Programs are 90 minutes in length, allowing for exploration time in the galleries. All programs are adaptable to suit the study needs of teachers and students. If classes are studying topics not listed, contact the Education Services Manager for recommendations.

Outreach Programs
The Museum offers programming in your classroom. Our hour-long outreach programs may include such activities as viewing artifacts, an audio-visual presentation, and an activity relevant to the theme. Elective programs can be created upon request. Temporary exhibit programs are not available for outreach presentations.

Availability
Programs are available Monday to Friday, mornings and afternoons. Temporary exhibit presentations are only available when listed. Evening and weekend programming for youth groups, brownies, guides, cubs and scouts, etc. are based on availability.

Class Size
The Museum can accommodate in-house classes of up to 30 students. Larger classes will be divided into two groups. Please note that this, however, compromises the quality of educational experience for your students. We cannot accommodate groups of over 60 students for programs. Please contact the Education Services Manager for large group tour options.

Special Needs
The Museum is fully wheelchair accessible. Programs can be adapted to meet the needs of your group. Please discuss your requirements at the time of booking.

Museum Manners
Please discuss with your students and chaperones the importance of following our Museum Manners: we walk slowly and safely and use indoor voices at all times, we only touch things we are invited to touch, and we stay with our group at all times. There is no food, beverages, gum or candy allowed in the galleries. Groups with students displaying inappropriate Museum behaviour will be asked to leave, and school administration will be contacted.

Chaperones
Chaperones will be responsible for assisting students during the planned activity and with supervision during gallery exploration time. School groups are invited to bring one adult (including teachers) for every 5 students (preschool/primary), one adult for every 7 students (junior), and one adult for every 10 students (intermediate/senior) as part of your program fee. Additional adults are $3.00 each. The Museum strongly recommends that you bring no more than 5 additional adult supervisors in total. Groups exceeding the classroom maximum capacity may have their program switched to a guided or self-guided tour. EAs with identification who are working with individual students will not be considered as additional adults.

Cancellations
Cancellations for booked programs must be made 10 days prior to the program date or a fee of $25.00 will be charged. Groups who do not pay their cancellation fee may not book again until this fee is paid.

Program Fees
There is a program fee for each class to assist in part with defraying the cost of materials. The fee covers admission charges for required teachers and chaperones. There is no program fee for schools having a School Membership. Fees are as follows:

• $25 minimum for in-house presentations
• $50 for outreach presentations
• $25 for additional outreach presentations on the same day
• $100 for an annual school membership (Six visits for the price of four)
• $3 for each additional chaperone

To Book a Program