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American Musicals Project >

The New-York Historical Society is proud to introduce
A NEW HOME FOR HOMESCHOOLERS

 

Make history come alive! This fall the New-York Historical Society launches a new program for homeschooled students, designed to enrich and support the study of American History through its unique program, the American Musicals Project.

By coupling the power and emotional energy of American musical theater masterworks with evocative and thought-provoking exhibitions and primary sources from the collections of the New-York Historical Society, students explore four significant themes in American History: Independence, Slavery, Suffrage, and the Great Depression. Over the course of the classes, students will explore the museum’s vast treasures, participate in hands-on history, and engage in group work.

Each theme is taught in four hands-on sessions and is designed to:

  • Develop critical thinking skills as the student engages with primary source materials and experiences the wonder of making historical discoveries.
  • Develop media literacy as the student forms observations and interpretations of scenes from American musicals that shape his/her understanding of history.
  • Engage the student with in-class projects that promote inter-disciplinary learning.


Appropriate for students ages 11–14

Fridays, 1:30–3 pm
Independence: November 18, December 2, 9, and 16, 2011
Slavery: January 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2012
Suffrage: March 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2012
Great Depression: May 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2012

Register for all four themes for $200, or $65 per theme, per student.
To register, please contact us at (212) 485-9236 or amp@nyhistory.org.

 

Lessons & Videos

AMP Units

The Declaration of Independence

1776

Antebellum Slavery

Big River

The Gold Rush

Paint Your Wagon

Women’s Suffrage and Abolition

Bloomer Girl

Reconstruction

Show Boat

Westward Expansion

Oklahoma!

The Progressive Era

Fiorello!

The Great Depression

Annie, Street Scene

World War II

This Is the Army, On the Town, South Pacific

Post-World War II New York

West Side Story

Videos of Classroom Lessons

Watch the following videos to see AMP lessons in action in New York City classrooms. Hear from administrators, teachers, and students about their experiences with AMP.

A class at Brooklyn's I.S. 187 uses American Musicals Project materials to discuss the debate surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Multiple social studies classrooms throughout New York City go through a series of American Musicals Project lessons from 1776 to West Side Story. Watch students and teachers interact with and respond to the materials.