Exhibit Teaching Guide for Parents and Educators

Below are some suggestions for getting the most out of your visit to the Target America exhibit with your children or students. Additionally, a Teacher Resource Guide is available which includes all of the information below, as well as the Louisiana Grade Level Expectations and information on teacher open houses.

Before Your Visit

• Scheduling a Tour, learn more about visiting the exhibit.
• Read the most Frequently Asked Questions for Target America.
• Look at the Drug and Terrorism Facts and Information.
• Open and print the exhibit-specific Permission Form (PDF format) to give to parents and caregivers.
• Open and print the museum-specific Museum Manners (PDF format) for helpful information about visiting the Louisiana State Museum.
• Open and print the Self-Guided Exhibit Tour (PDF format) to take with you to the exhibit. Read it before you go to familiarize yourself with the organization of the exhibit.
• Open and print the What If Activity (PDF format) for your children or students to work on while they are at the exhibit.
• Open and print one or more of the following Making Connections Questionnaires for your children or students to fill out while they are at the exhibit (all are in PDF format).
• Making Connections Questionnaire A (short answer, 9 questions)
• Making Connections Questionnaire B (short answer, 8 questions)
• Making Connections Questionnaire C (true/false, 12 questions)
• Making Connections Questionnaire A-C Answers

During Your Visit

• Follow the Self-Guided Exhibit Tour you printed in the pre-visit steps above.
• Have your children or students complete the What If Activity you printed in the pre-visit steps above.
• Have your children or students complete the Making Connections Questionnaires you printed in the pre-visit steps above.
• Have your children or students record their experiences, thoughts and feelings in the they assembled before the visit.
• Be prepared to discuss any question honestly and openly. Relate to personal experiences or stories you may be familiar with.
• Do not expect to know everything. You too can be surprised by what you learn. In fact, this might be an easy way to talk to children. Begin by saying, “Did you know…..?”
• Be honest with your own feelings and values but be open to each child’s reactions.
• At the end of the exhibit you will have a chance to write a response. This is a good time to comment and summarize thoughts and feelings.

After Your Visit

• Open and print the Post-Exhibit Questions (PDF format) to give to your children or students.
• Have your children or students complete the final step in the process they began in the pre-visit steps above. This step involves compiling a personalized book that tells the story of their Museum experience.