Social Studies Field Trips

National Museum of African Art

Image courtesy of the National Museum of African Art

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GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC

NAME: National Museum of African Art
STREET: 950 Independence Ave., SW
CITY: Washington	STATE: DC	ZIP: 20560	COUNTY: D.C.
PHONE: 202-357-4600, ext. 7		FEES: None
HOURS AND DAYS: Daily, 10 am - 5:30 pm. Summer, Thursday only, 10 am - 8 pm.
METRO: Blue or Orange line to Smithsonian station.

GRADES: 3	UNITS: Ghana
CONTACT: Deborah Queen	PHONE: 202-357-4600, ext. 222
TYPE: Museum	FEES: None
DAYS: M T W Th F (Oct - May)	HOURS: 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 1:15 pm
LUNCH: Picnic on mall or go to Natural History Museum
GROUP SIZE: 40, one adult per 15 students
HANDICAPPED ACCESS: Yes
LENGTH OF TOUR: 45 min. - 1 hr.

DESCRIPTION: The museum includes art and artifacts from Ghana, past and present. Gift shop has crafts, records, books, and other materials on Ghana. The museum provides special weekend workshops about Ghana for teachers.

There are four special tours/programs for students at grade 3:

• "Kingly Things" in which students learn about such royal objects of African kings and chiefs as thrones, carved palace doors, beaded crowns, and commemorative sculptures.

• "Hands On: The Art of Daily Life" in which students learn about materials, techniques, and functions by handling and discussing earthen pots, wooden stools, and other finely made personal objects that are part of everyday life in many parts of Africa.

• "The Arts of Ghana: An Introduction to the Asante" helps students learn about the interrelationship of the visual, oral, and musical traditions of the Asante people of Ghana. They examine an Asante aKuaba figure, a Kente cloth, and musical instruments.

• "Masks of Africa" allows students to explore the forms, meanings, and functions of African masks. Students take part in drawing activities that involve the design, shape, and composition of masks.

A new exhibition on Kente cloth opened in mid-September, There will be special programs, tours, a weaving demonstration and additional events related to the exhibition.

RESOURCES

• Previsit material.
• MCPS Activity Plan For This Field Trip Site

• Electronic School Bus Videotape for this field trip site.

  Field Trip Planning Tools

  • MCPS Field Trip Checklist
  • Items to Bring on the Trip
  • Field Trip Tips
  • Tips for Primary Grades

  Internet Sites

  • National Museum of African Art