School Programs

The Stratford Perth Museum has many exciting programs for school groups this year! Choose from a variety of exciting curriculum-connected remote learning (digital) or in-classroom programs. It is our mission to deliver local history in fun, creative and safe ways.

Check out our 2023 HANDS ON exhibit stations that explores artisanal and occupational storytelling. See our flyer for details SPMflyer (4)

Ontario Curriculum: Learning Outcomes for various grades below

Grade 4 – Learning Outcomes for Field Trips 2023

Grade 5 – Learning Outcomes for Field Trips 2023

Grade 6 – Learning Outcomes for Field Trips 2023

Grade 7 – Learning Outcomes for Field Trips

We also offer guided and self-guided tours of the museum, as well as our walking trails.

School groups also have the option of snowshoeing on our walking trails during the winter months.

Didn’t see the program or activities you were looking for? Please call 519-393-5315 or email Education Manager Megan Patterson to discuss creating a new or customized program to fit your needs!

Program Details

COST FOR SCHOOL PROGRAM:
:: Programs Cost: $5 per student (plus HST)
:: Regular tour includes 4-5 stations of your choosing with activities (please call about our list of stations)
:: Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours and Snowshoeing are $5 per student (plus HST)

Teachers and chaperones will be admitted for free, and are responsible for their groups at all times. Constant supervision is required.

Teachers and chaperones are responsible for discipline and limiting disruptive behaviour. Please discuss museum etiquette with your class before visiting.

A ratio of 1 chaperone per 5 students is recommended. Please follow your board guidelines.

For more information or to book a program, please contact Megan Patterson, Manager of Education and Public Programs, at 519-393-5315, or email.

Partners for Pollinators (Sep-Oct, Apr-Jun)

In this interactive workshop, students discover the important role honey bees and other pollinators play in native ecosystems and in managed agricultural. Using the museum’s grounds* as a starting point, students:

Identify pollinator plants
Discuss dangers and threats to the honey bee population
Handle bee keeping tools
Sample the museum’s apiary honey harvest
Partake in an interactive pollinator experiment
Create a hands-on collaborative activity

This action-packed program increases collective knowledge of natural history, land preservation and global action.

*Weather Depending

Program Grades: 1-6
Program Duration: 90 minutes (can be customized to suit schedule needs)
Cross-Curricular Connections: Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Studies, History and Geography and the Arts.

Our People, Our Stories

A daredevil, a psychic, an inventor…oh boy! In this program, students hear stories of some of Perth County’s most intriguing, historical characters. Through storytelling exchange and object sharing, students gain an understanding of why personal and collective stories are important for preservation, community and social transformation. A storytelling exercise and hands-on activity delve students deeper into their own personal stories as a way to connect with others.

Program Grades: 1-6
Program Duration: 90 minutes (can be customized to suit schedule needs)
Cross-Curricular Connections: Language , Social Studies, History and Geography and the Arts.

The CNR Shops

From 1870 to 1964, the Grand Trunk Railway and the succeeding Canadian National Railways employed about 40% of the workforce in the city of Stratford in locomotive repair shops. Agriculture, dairy, furniture making, and knitting mills, now connected to the world by rail, were just a few of the industries that made Perth County one of Canada’s most prosperous counties. Through story exchange, role play and interactive activities, students learn how the men and women of the railway repair shops impacted the growth and vibrancy of the city and county we reside in today.

Program Grades: 3-8
Program Duration: 90 minutes (can be customized to suit schedule needs)
Cross-Curricular Connections: Language , Social Studies, History and Geography and the Arts.

Home front to Battlefront

A guided-tour through the exhibition Perth Up: A Retrospective of Duty and Valour highlights not only the soldiers and battles of the Perth Regiment, but also tells the stories of men and women from across Perth County who served as doctors, nurses, war journalists and those who domestically supported the Perth Regiment from the home front. Through historical artifacts, personal stories, artwork, photographs and interactive presentations, students discover Perth County’s rich military history.

Program Grades: 4-8
Program Duration: 90 minutes (can be customized to suit schedule needs)
Cross-Curricular Connections: Language , Social Studies, History and Geography and the Arts.

Homesteaders

In this interactive program, students assume the role as early settler children living in Perth County during the 19^th century . Exploring traditional household and farm chores such as fetching water in buckets, washing laundry by hand, carding wool and rope making as well as experiencing a taste of leisure activities, the Homesteader program promotes a deeper level of understanding of past settler life. This program works best as an outdoor program, but indoor variations are available.

Program Grades: 1-6
Program Duration: 90 minutes (can be customized to suit schedule needs)
Cross-Curricular Connections: Social Studies, History and Geography and the Arts.

Introduction to Maps and Orienteering

Students explore the history of maps and how we use maps in our daily lives today. Interactive games teach how to read and examine a variety of maps, and discuss map elements and compass techniques. Finally, students put these new skills to use by following a map, compass and clues around the museum’s walking trails. This program works best as an outdoor program, but indoor variations are available.

Program Grades: 1-8
Program Duration: 90 minutes (can be customized to suit schedule needs)
Cross-Curricular Connections: History and Geography and the Arts.

Printmaking

From clay tablets to iPhones, ho have our communication methods changed over human history? Learn about the rich history of letterpress and experience this early method of printed communication. This is a one-hour session full of learning and hands-on fun.

Bookings for this program must be made at least 2 weeks prior to your visit.

Program Grades: 3-8
Program Duration: 90 minutes (can be customized to suit schedule needs)
Cross-Curricular Connections: History and Geography and the Arts.

Guided Tour

Students explore the museum through an interactive, docent-led tour that asks them to think about how people live and interact with their environment and community, both now and in the past.

Walking trail tours can be incorporated into a museum tour, or are offered as an alternative.

Program Grades: All levels of learning
Program Duration: 45-60 minutes (can be customized to suit schedule needs)
Program Cost: $5 (plus HST) per student
Cross-Curricular Connections: History, Geography, Social Studies and the Language Arts.

Guided Tour | En Francais!

Les étudiants profitent d’une visite du musée dirigée par un guide bénévole francophone. En utilisant des objets et des expositions de musée et des questions ouvertes pour amorcer la conversation, les élèves approfondiront leur compréhension de l’histoire locale tout en enrichissant leurs compétences linguistiques en français. Les visites en français peuvent être modifiées selon les habiletés et l’âge des élèves. Donc, ceux et celles inscrits au programme de français cadre bénéficient autant que ceux et celles au programme de français d’immersion. Tous profitent d’une expérience en français. On adapte les visites au musée à votre classe et à vos besoins en matière de curriculum.

Students enjoy a tour of the museum led by a French speaking docent. Using museum objects and exhibits and open-ended questions for a foundation of conversation, students will deepen their understanding of local history while enriching French language skills. Guided tours in French can be modified to accommodate the age and abilities of your students. So those in Core French programs benefit as much as those in French Immersion programs. All students can enjoy a French language experience. We adapt our guided tours to best suit your class and your curriculum needs.

Self-Guided Tour

Student groups accompanied by teachers and chaperones are welcome to explore the museum at their own pace. An optional Scavenger Hunt is available to help students explore and discuss the museum’s current exhibits.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is offered in the winter on our historic walking trails. As students learn or reacquaint themselves with this wonderful winter time physical activity, they also explore Stratford and Perth County’s rich history through visual props and panels. This activity is weather permitting. Please contact Megan Patterson, Manager of Education and Public Programs for more information.

Curiosity Case (In-Classroom Learning)

No time to come to us? Fear not, we can come right to your classroom!

We’ve hand-picked a collection of our most curious, fabulous and obscure objects. Students in your classroom can handle and engage with the objects to stimulate thinking and to share ideas with others.

Since the items in the case are rather obscure, students don’t have to worry about whether or not they are familiar with the objects. Instead they can share their ideas and guesses in a judgment-free environment.

This fun program ignites thoughtful inquiry, oral story sharing. group learning and often times, roars of laughter! Because after all, learning is fun!

What’s in a Curiosity Case?
Each case contains 5 artifacts/objects that relate a to a unified theme. All artifacts/objects are selected to represent a variety of collections at the museum and to stimulate interest and discussion among participants. Artifacts/objects can be handled by participants.
Curiosity Case Themes:
Railway
Home
Medical
Toys
Fashion

How Does It Work?
A museum educator facilitates the Curiosity Case program on-site in your classroom. The suggested program length is one hour. The program cost is $75 (plus HST)

To reserve/order a Curiosity Case or for more information, please contact Megan Patterson, Manager of Education and Programs.