Educator Resources

What should students and groups remember when visiting a museum?

• No cell phones, photography or videotaping is allowed, unless they are being used to complete an assignment given by the teacher or Museum Educator/Docent.
• Respect the artifacts and exhibits. Keep a safe distance from the objects, platforms and cases.
• Food, drinks, and chewing gum are not allowed in the galleries.
• Be respectful of other visitors in the Museum.
• Don’t touch anything unless the Museum Educator/Docent says it’s ok.
• Walk – don’t run.
• Stay together as a group.
• Raise your hand if you have a question.
• Respect what the Museum Educator/ Docent has to say and respect your classmate’s comments & opinions.

Pre-Visit Activities

The Three Sisters

• Watch a video about the Three Sisters featuring Darlene Kascak from the Institute For American Indian Studies. Find the video here.

Post-Visit Activities

Tracking Time

• Work with students to create a timeline of the historic events that they learned about. What other local, regional, or national events should be included?

Pre-Visit Activities

The Burning of Fairfield

At the Fairfield Museum, students will act out the Burning of Fairfield story in groups. The Reader’s Theatre will take place inside the Sun Tavern. Have students read and familiarize themselves with:

• Burning of Fairfield: Handout with Story, Map & Primary Source Activity
• “Burning of Fairfield Drama – Reader’s Theatre”

IF YOU HAVE 4 CLASSES: Please have all of the students read through all sections. Classes will be divided into three groups at the Fairfield Museum for the 3-part rotation.

• The teacher should put the students into 4 groups.
• Print copies of the Reader’s Theatre, but only give the groups THEIR SECTION. They will not know how the rest of the story will happen.
• Have the groups assign characters (some students will play more than one).
• Students should have time to practice their sections before the field trip.

Two Fairfield Families

• Divide students into two groups.
• Half will read about the Silliman family and half will read about the Burr family.
• Students report back to the class (either individually or in groups) about the article: What did they learn? What more do they want to find out?
• Optional: Have the students complete the questions at the end of the articles (either individually or in groups)
• Download the handouts:
  • Fairfield Family: Silliman
  • Fairfield Family: Burr

Post-Visit Activities

Character Portrait

• Captain Isaac Jennings brought his family aboard his ship William Chamberlain from August 1, 1861 until January 1, 1862. After his wife Mary and daughter Minnie return home, Captain Jennings returned to sea. Now that he is alone, he misses his family, especially his daughter. Have students read the letter that Captain Isaac Jennings wrote to his daughter Minnie. Why did Captain Jennings write a letter to his daughter? If you were asked to write a letter to a loved one, who would you write to? Download the excerpt from the letter and the transcription.

Tracking Time

• Work with students to create a timeline of the events during the American Revolution. What other local, regional, or national events should be included?