Social Studies Field Trips

Capital Children's Museum

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC

NAME: Capital Children's Museum
STREET: 800 Third Street, NE
CITY: Washington STATE: DC ZIP: 20002 COUNTY: D.C.
PHONE: 202-675-4125 FEES: $6.00 per person. Children 2 and under free.
HOURS AND DAYS: Daily, 10 am - 5 pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years
METRO: Ten minute walk from the Red line, Union Station stop.

TEACHER INFORMATION FOR FIELD TRIPS

GRADES: 2 3 UNITS: Mexico, Trans/Com, Urban
CONTACT: Carolyn PHONE: 202-675-4125, 202-675-4149 (tape)
TYPE: Museum FEES: $5.00 per student, 1 adult free for every 10 children
DAYS: M T W Th F HOURS: 10 am - 5 pm
LUNCH: Snack area with vending machines and drinks, picnic tables outside.
GROUP SIZE: Unlimited, 10 per group, 1 adult per 4 students
HANDICAPPED ACCESS: yes
LENGTH OF TOUR: 1 1/2 hrs. Tours are scheduled at 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm.

DESCRIPTION AND RESOURCES

DESCRIPTION: Hands-on exhibits and craft activities can be completed with or without a museum guide.

"History of Communications" exhibit fits the MCPS Grade 2 curriculum. It traces the evolution of communication from its earliest forms-Ice Age cave paintings-to the invention of the printing press. Students send messages as the ancient Greeks did, write with a quill pen, and read Braille. Teachers' guide available.
"International Hall: Mexico" exhibit fits the MCPS Grade 3 curriculum. Students experience the culture of Mexico both rural life and urban living. Students make and taste hot chocolate and tortillas. They wander through a village square, create Mexican crafts to take home, and visit the Yucatan Room with a beach and Mayan pyramid.
"From the Hands of Thailand" exhibit allows the elementary school child to compare the culture of Thailand to their own. They participate in traditional Thai crafts, write their names in Thai, try on Thai clothing, and float paper flowers called "krathongs."
"Changing Environments" exhibit appeals to Grade K and 2 children as their knowledge of the real world is challenged through dramatization and exploration. They learn about simple machines, crawl through a city sewer, slide down a fire pole, sneak through a maze, stand inside a bubble, and create self portraits in a variety of media.

Other exhibits are: "Observe and Draw," "Introduction to Animation," and "Remember the Children (the Holocaust)." Make reservations 3 weeks in advance. A good museum for Grade K students to visit to learn how to create a museum as a social settling in their own classroom.

RESOURCES

Pamphlet
MCPS Activity Plan For This Field Trip Site
Field Trip Planning Tools
Internet Sites
Capital Children's Museum

Last updated on March 18, 1998
Maintained by Martin M. Creel: Marty_Creel@fc.mcps.k12.md.us

NAME: Capital Children's Museum
STREET: 800 Third Street, NE
CITY: Washington	STATE: DC	ZIP: 20002	COUNTY: D.C.
PHONE: 202-675-4125		FEES: $6.00 per person. Children 2 and under free.
HOURS AND DAYS: Daily, 10 am - 5 pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years
METRO: Ten minute walk from the Red line, Union Station stop.

GRADES: 2 3	UNITS: Mexico, Trans/Com, Urban
CONTACT: Carolyn	PHONE: 202-675-4125, 202-675-4149 (tape)
TYPE: Museum	FEES: $5.00 per student, 1 adult free for every 10 children
DAYS: M T W Th F	HOURS: 10 am - 5 pm
LUNCH: Snack area with vending machines and drinks, picnic tables outside.
GROUP SIZE: Unlimited, 10 per group, 1 adult per 4 students
HANDICAPPED ACCESS: yes
LENGTH OF TOUR: 1 1/2 hrs. Tours are scheduled at 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm.