What Observations Can We Make About Objects and Living Things? How Can We Interpret Our Observations?

Almost all of us enjoy learning directly from objects. We like to experience things for ourselves. We like to look at them, handle or explore them with our senses, and come up with our own ideas about them. The process of learning from objects is exciting and fun because it is participatory, and because it can take us in so many directions.

The activities in this section are designed to heighten our observation and interpretation skills.

 Suggested Activity 1: Describing Objects and Living Things
 Suggested Activity 2: Backpack Mystery

What Questions Can We Ask About Objects and Living Things?

Asking good questions is an important skill. When visiting a museum it is important to ask questions that will engage viewers and generate discussion. Questions asked should be open-ended, encourage dialogue, allow for interpretation, and call upon viewers’ prior knowledge.

 Suggested Activity: Museum Questions

Are Museum Objects Authentic?

Most objects in museums are original, not facsimiles or modern copies. Looking at original objects can be a very powerful experience that communicates: this is real, this really happened. When we look at an original painting we see brushstrokes, and we can imagine how the artist applied the paint to the canvas. When we hold an object from the Chicago Fire, we can imagine how it felt to experience that devastating event.

Kids are constantly inquiring about the authenticity of objects in museums. A discussion around the following questions will begin to help students grapple with the meaning of “real.”

 Suggested Activity: The Real Thing