- What is the difference between a neighborhood and a community?
- What makes a neighborhood?
- Who makes up a community?
- How do people and places help to make the community healthy and successful?
- Historians use artifacts and photographs to learn about people from the past.
- My artifacts can teach people about me and my family and I can learn about other people and their families from their artifacts.
- Museums are an important part of our community and can teach us about our local history.
Menu of Lessons
Pre-Visit Lesson One: Defining Communities
Students explore various books about “communities” and collectively create a definition for: community.Download now (PDF)
Pre-Visit Lesson Two: Exploring Oregon Communities
Utilizing photos from Experience Oregon and other online resources, students analyze what various members of the community are doing and the possible impact they/the event can have on the community.Download now (PDF)
Pre-Visit Lesson Three: How Do I Help My Community?
Students collectively, and then individually, chart ways they positively support their communities: family, classroom, school.Download now (PDF)
Oregon Historical Society Museum Visit, Grades 1–2
Students identify different communities and community members who have lived in Oregon over time and their role in their communities.Download now (PDF)
Post-Visit Lesson One: Debrief the Visit to Experience Oregon
Students debrief their visit to Oregon Historical Society and reflect on the contributions Oregonians have made to their communities.Download now (PDF)
Post-Visit Lesson Two: Becoming Oral Historians for Our School Community
Students brainstorm a list of people in their school or neighborhood who serve helpful roles in their community. Students prepare to interview different community members by practicing interviewing skills.Download now (PDF)
Post-Visit Lesson Three: Creating School Community Oral History Book
Students create pages for their Community Member Guidebook (2–4 sessions) and compile the book.Download now (PDF)