Living History Museum: A Complete Guide for a Successful Event

Are you preparing for a Living History Museum event with your students? If so, this resource will simplify your lesson planning and walk you through every step of hosting a successful event.

This resource is a print-and-go packet that will walk you through the steps of hosting your own Living History Museum!

What is a Living History Museum?

LHM is a phenomenal event that challenges your students to develop their research skills and oral communication skills at the same time. It’s an event that your class hosts (in the classroom, gymnasium, etc,) where you can invite parents and other classes to come and see your students’ hard work on display.

There is a lot of prep work to be done beforehand (all of which I will walk you through in this packet) but on the day of your students will stand around frozen in place. Visitors will come and press the button (stickers provided) that will bring each student to life! The students will then present their memorized speech (as the historical figure) and then go back to their frozen position.

This packet includes all of the resources I used to run this event with my class each year. You can pick and choose which elements you want to include – or to save yourself time by hitting print, passing out the pages, and go! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

This was one of the most memorable and profitable activities I did with my students all year and I’m passionate about making it easy for other teachers to do it as well.

This print-and-go resource includes:

• Note to the teacher with sample pictures
• Suggested Scope & Sequence
• Sample Speech
• Student Directions and Due Dates
• Student Historical Figure Choices (2 per page)
• Historical Figure Choices (teacher log)
• Research Log (2 pages)
• Research Log Check (teacher log)
• Speech Rough Draft writing paper (2 pages)
• Proof-reading checklist for student and a peer editor
• Speech Final Draft writing paper (or you can have your students type it)
• Speech Completion Check (teacher log)
• Speech Memorization Check (teacher log)
• Costume and Props planning sheet
• LHM Reminder Notes to send home
• Teacher Rubric (three options included)
• Peer Listening Sheet

*Note: this download is a ZIP file - it will include all of the pages listed above PLUS two sets of labels (Editable name tags and Press Here "buttons")

This is one fantastic project - and if you're feeling excited about the possibility yet overwhelmed at the thought of all this work, then this is the resource for you! Save yourself time and simplify your lesson planning today.

Resource created by Jessica Lawler

Joy in the Journey