Perspectives through Portraiture: Portraits Unframed (elementary, middle, and high school levels)
Portraits Unframedutilizes portraits from the NPG collection to enhance the classroom experience by offering students unique ways to learn about themes in American history. NPG Education associates visit classrooms for single sessions or to present a series of continuing units to supplement the history and language-arts curriculum. Students will be introduced to the biography of a highlighted individual and will learn to "read" a portrait of that individual. These innovative programs allow students to be drawn inside the process of discovery through the arts and language arts–based activities that are incorporated into all units.
In the Portraits Unframed series, students are encouraged to portray themselves through poetry and the arts, and to not only be good readers, but writers and actors as well. The series is meant to engage students through both investigation and artistic interpretation.
These units can be specifically tailored for use in your classroom. Currently available sessions include:
Maya Angelou: Portrait drawing based on character development
e e cummings: Creation of self–reflective poetry
Langston Hughes: Combining musical accompaniment with Hughes poetry
Mark Twain: Plot development in short stories; illustrated journal and short story writing; dramatic improvisation
CONTACT US Phone: (202) 275-1824 FAX: (202) 275-1904 E-mail: NPGEducation@si.edu Mailing Address:
Office of Education National Portrait Gallery P.O. Box
37012
Victor Building, Suite 8300, MRC 973
Washington, D.C. 20013-0712
The Smithsonian has twenty five education offices through out its museums, offices and centers. Each office coordinates with educators to enhance teaching with museum education and give direct access to primary sources.
Phone: (202) 275-1824
E-mail: 
