New Virtual Student Workshops

We thank our colleague Naomi Coquillon for this post, which originally was published on the blog Minerva’s Kaleidoscope: Resources for Kids and Families. 

While the buildings remain closed to visitors, our team has been working on new opportunities to allow kids to continue to engage with the Library’s exhibitions, collections, and architecture. I am happy to share this new set of virtual workshops, available for students in grades 3 through 8.

Virtual student workshops will be led by a Library facilitator, with participation from the group’s teacher or educator. These (pilot) programs are available Tuesdays through Thursdays and last approximately 45 – 60 minutes. The experience is also available for family groups or learning pods; we ask for a minimum of 10 students for each session. For each of these workshops, students will build toward a final project—a comic, a statement about Rosa Parks, or a constellation and related myth. Registration is available here.

Email us at [email protected] with questions. We look forward to hearing from you, and please share with your children’s teachers!

Rosa Parks: Freedom Fighter (grades 5-8)

Through discussion, questioning strategies, storytelling and more participants learn about the many ways civil rights activist Rosa Parks fought to bring about justice and equality for many Americans. The program draws on the personal papers of Rosa Parks and other multimedia items held at the Library of Congress.

Teacher comment: “Engaging presentation of historical archives that connects history to students’ current experience. It allowed students to learn about different tactics within a historical context.”

Stories in the Stars: Mythology at the Library of Congress (grades 4-8)

The Library of Congress honors literature and storytelling through its collections, programs, and in the art and architecture of the buildings themselves. Students will unleash their inner storytellers by exploring Greek myths as represented in the Library’s buildings and collections, and create their own constellation stories. Includes a short pre-visit activity and a post-session myth-writing activity.

Teacher comment: “The program effectively introduced students to the structure and history of mythology…and very effectively used visual analysis to help students understand characters and plot development in myths….thoughtful and engaging opportunities for our students.”

And beginning October 27, 2020: Imagination, Everyone’s Superpower (grades 3-5)

The Library of Congress, the largest library in the world and home of the U.S. Copyright Office, holds an unparalleled record of American creativity. The Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building was designed to reflect its commitment to imagination, creativity, and learning. Students will explore imagination and creativity as represented in the Library’s architecture and comic collection, then, after the session, create their own comics inspired by the virtual visit. Includes a short pre-visit activity.

Teacher comment: “An outstanding example of the type of experience all students need…to explore their ‘beyonds’ so that they can better solve the problems that will challenge their futures.”