LESSON PLANS
Listing of Teacher Materials

COLLAPSE? Visitor Guide - NEW!! (5MB pdf file)

This guide is designed to deepen your understanding of some of the key issues presented in the exhibition, COLLAPSE?   This exhibit looks at how environmental circumstances and other factors have played a role in the destinies of different societies--both past and present--and how the choices we make today may determine our future.   This guide will lead your through a series of examples of biological "collapse"-extinction.  You will be challenged to look closely at California's past, present, and future?   This guide will engage your students with these issues in the Dinosaur Hall, Hall of Cenozoic Fossils, North American Mammal Hall, and the Bird Hall.   Click here for more information about the exhibition.

Native American Curriculum Guide - (clicking this link will open a 5MB pdf file)
This guide is designed as a primer to help educators and students prepare to visit the Times Mirror Hall of Native American Cultures located in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The guide focuses on meeting the criteria set by the History-Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools. This guide is not intended as a chronological or all-inclusive history of American Indians but instead will provide an overview of several particular Native peoples represented in the Hall of Native American Cultures.

Africa Activity Guide
This book of activities is designed to help students in grades 3-8 to develop an appreciation and respect for Africa--its diversity, its wealth in people and cultures and its rich history. It was developed in 1993 by the Field Museum of Natural History as a companion guide for their permanent exhibit on Africa. Some activities ask students to observe portions of the exhibit. Others ask students to apply themes from Africa to their own lives by mapping their community, designing their own Royal Palace, or drawing their own memorial tusk.

California History Guide
This guide is designed to assist the educator in preparing students for a visit to the Natural History Museum as well as to support the instruction of California history in the classroom. The guide provides general background information on California history, from the days of the first Californians through the Age of Railroads, and activities that can be used in the classroom. The California History Hall is located on the Lower Level, or Ground Floor, of the Natural History Museum. Much of the information and events discussed in this guide relate to objects and artifacts within this Hall. Should you be unable to visit the museum with your class, we hope you will take advantage of the activities and available resources to enhance your classroom curriculum.

CAT-ivities
Extend the fun of the CATS! Wild to Mild exhibit by trying these fun filled activities at home or in the classroom. Even if you don't own a cat, we think you'll learn a fascinating fact or two.
Available in English and Spanish.

Cats Wild to Mild
This guide of background information and instructional lessons is written for students in grades 3-8 who are interested in exploring the world of cats. It is designed to help them investigate wild and domestic cat biology, behavior and environment. The curriculum was designed by the Natural History Museum's Education Division as a companion guide for the traveling Cats! Wild to Mild Exhibit and to supplement the Cats!

Ecology of African Mammals Study Guide
This guide accompanies the Natural History presentation found within "AFRICA: One Continent. Many Worlds." web site. It introduces students in grades 6-12 to different mammals of Africa and their adaptations to their environment. Information on Africa's diverse climates and how they influence patterns of vegetation is also included.

Exloring Mammals Study Guide
This exploration guide is designed to assist the educator in preparing students for a visit to the Natural History Museum. The guide provides general background information on mammals, information on the different biomes that mammals inhabit, and activities that can be used in the classroom. The link leads you to a list and summary of available activities on the subject of mammals and biomes.

Learning Center
The Learning Center is located just outside the Natural History Museum's research library. It is open 7 days a week. The Learning Center includes a computer workstation and printer that is connected to the Internet. Research materials and access to the library catalog are also available. Teachers and the general public are encouraged to make use of this resource. Teachers may download a pass that provides free admission to the museum.

Lessons from the Seamobile
The Seamobile Program is a marine-themed outreach program, which puts Los Angeles middle school students in the middle of the San Pedro Channel aboard a simulated research submersible. The two activities available here, are designed to prepare students for one part of their underwater expedition by introducing the concept of classification through the use of dichotomous keys.

Microbes: Invisible Invaders...Amazing Allies
Microbes: Invisible Invaders...Amazing Allies is a study of microbes - viruses, fungi, bacteria, protozoa - life forms so small you need a microscope to see them. The purpose of these activities is to provide teachers with classroom activities that teach children about microbes of all kinds and how microbes affect the macroscopic world of mankind.

Teacher Pass
Teachers visit free!
Please present a copy of this pass for one free adult admission to the Natural History Museum or the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits.

Teaching About Africa
This series of classroom ideas is designed to help young people develop an appreciation and respect for African peoples, their communities through out the world, and the natural riches of the African continent. The activities are written for teachers and are designed to be adaptable for grades K-12. After a preliminary review of the activities, teachers can modify their approach or chosen language as appropriate to their students grade level.

The Bird Site: Classroom Activities
Many classroom activities for teachers that cover such topics as bird anatomy, physiology, evolution, flight and conservation. Designed for grades K - 8. Detailed summary provided.

The Bird Site
This presentation is designed to assist the educator in preparing students for a visit to the Ralph W. Schreiber Hall of Birds which is located in the Natural History Museum. In addition to general concepts in avian biology this presentation includes pre- and post-visit activities for use in the classroom. Please view the exhibition floor plan for an orientation. Different sections of the gallery are identified and cross referenced with materials in this presentation. If a visit to the museum is not possible, the materials in this presentation can be readily adapted for use in any K-12 classroom or home environment.