Follow cultures across time
Bring the world to your classroom with resources that introduce students to the diversity of ancient and modern cultures. Using lesson plans, videos, and other resources, your students can learn to think like an archaeologist and investigate ancient cultures or gain an appreciation for the many communities that live around the world today.
Resource Spotlight: Explore Ancient Cultures
See what life was like thousands of years ago, and learn how people who lived in the past continue to influence our lives.
Neolithic Village Flyover
Explore a reconstruction of the Neolithic village of Szeghalom, which was located in eastern Hungary. Archaeological findings there signaled a shift from foraging to farming.
Societies in the Ancient Americas | Exploring the Field Guide
Observe six types of societies that developed in the Americas in response to specific environmental conditions.
Exploring Language | China Toolkit
Explore the history of writing in China by drawing conclusions about the impact of the written word on human civilizations and how language changes over time.
Exhibition Spotlight: Cyrus Tang Hall of China
Delve into Chinese history and culture while honing critical thinking skills.
Maps | China Toolkit
Analyze maps to draw conclusions about their purpose, audience, and potential bias.
Testing the Scholars | China Toolkit
Explore the classical Chinese civil service exam system, compare it to current exam systems, and develop a sense of what it means to be qualified for a role.
Investigating the Qingming Scroll | China Toolkit
Learn about the contradictions depicted in the Qingming Scroll and compare it with present-day representations of idealized societies.
World Culture resources
Showing 25 resources
Ancient Americas Educator Guide
Investigate diverse cultures across different times and geographic locations in the Ancient Americas exhibition.
Archaeological Footprint | China Toolkit
Analyze how we learn about history through objects and theorize what gaps can exist in object-based stories.
Ask an Artifact | China Toolkit
Discover what you can learn from the objects all around us when you look carefully and apply a specific disciplinary lens. Spanish subtitles available.
Chicago Before Skyscrapers | Exploring the Field Guide
Observe a local ecosystem and infer how Native Americans of the Chicago region have traditionally used these resources.
Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism | China Toolkit
Explore three major belief systems in China—Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism—through art and artifacts.
Conservation in Action | Exploring the Field Guide
Examine different ways that scientists and community members conserve the environment, then analyze the results.
Evidence in the Unwritten | China Toolkit
Investigate the role of an archaeologist and discover the types of questions that drive their work. Spanish subtitles available.
Exploring Artifacts from the Pacific | Exploring the Field Guide
Observe and analyze artifacts from the Pacific Islands to develop evidence-based claims about how these cultures view the world.
Exploring Cultures | Exploring the Field Guide
Look closely at artifacts to learn how culture and geography create similarities and differences between China and Egypt.
Exploring Language | China Toolkit
Explore the history of writing in China by drawing conclusions about the impact of the written word on human civilizations and how language changes over time.
Exploring Objects | China Toolkit
Analyze objects using varied lenses, including anthropology, history, economics, geography, and art history.
Families Across Place and Time | Exploring the Field Guide
Explore similarities and differences between families across different geographic locations and time periods.
From the Field to the Field Museum
Prepare for a field trip or object study by learning how the Field Museum collects and studies specimens and artifacts from around the world.
Grainger Hall of Gems Educator Guide
Explore the geological and cultural significance of a variety of gems.
Investigating the Qingming Scroll | China Toolkit
Learn about the contradictions depicted in the Qingming Scroll and compare it with present-day representations of idealized societies.
Maps | China Toolkit
Analyze maps to draw conclusions about their purpose, audience, and potential bias.
Maya Blue and You | Science Hub at Home
Discover how you use the color blue as compared to the Maya.
Neolithic Village Flyover
Explore a reconstruction of the Neolithic village of Szeghalom, which was located in eastern Hungary. Archaeological findings there signaled a shift from foraging to farming.
Outsiders Inside | China Toolkit
Analyze the concept of “outsiders,” or ethnic minorities, in Chinese history through artifacts and connect the concept to present experiences.
Plants of the World Exhibition Guide
Observe intricate plant models to determine the functions of their unique structures.
Read, Watch, Listen, Visit: Student Resource List | China Toolkit
Explore more ways to learn about China with your students.
Societies in the Ancient Americas | Exploring the Field Guide
Observe six types of societies that developed in the Americas in response to specific environmental conditions.
Structure and Function | China Toolkit
Analyze early Chinese objects to understand how an object is designed or structured is related to its function.
Testing the Scholars | China Toolkit
Explore the classical Chinese civil service exam system, compare it to current exam systems, and develop a sense of what it means to be qualified for a role.
What Does Blue Mean to You? | Science Hub at Home
Discuss what the color blue means to you and compare your answers with other museum visitors.
Acknowledgments
School learning experiences are supported by ITW.
