Make the most of your Newseum visit with itineraries and activity guides.
Free learning tools on media literacy and our First Amendment freedoms.
Getting Started
Activities require little to no preparation and are useful for introducing new ideas. Lessons take a full class period and may include homework. Units are made of several lessons and provide a comprehensive study of a topic.
EDTools
Our flexible lesson plans, downloadable primary source documents and unique videos support instruction in history, media literacy and civics.
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ActivityIs This Story Share-Worthy? Flowchart
Students use an infographic to gauge the value of a news story and weigh what they should do with it.
CloseactivityIs This Story Share-Worthy? Flowchart
Students use an infographic to gauge the value of a news story and weigh what they should do with it.
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ActivityE.S.C.A.P.E. Junk News
Using a downloadable poster, students learn a handy acronym to help them remember six key concepts for evaluating information, then test the concepts in teams.
CloseactivityE.S.C.A.P.E. Junk News
Using a downloadable poster, students learn a handy acronym to help them remember six key concepts for evaluating information, then test the concepts in teams.
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ActivityEvidence: Do the Facts Hold Up?
Students dig into an article to determine whether they can trust the information by verifying the evidence it presents.
CloseactivityEvidence: Do the Facts Hold Up?
Students dig into an article to determine whether they can trust the information by verifying the evidence it presents.
How to enroll
If you’re ready to request a program, click Book a Visit to complete the reservation form. Our team will respond within two business days.
EDClasses & Training
Our EDClasses & Training workshops use the First Amendment to illuminate the challenges and ideals of our democracy.
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Learning Center Fighting Fake News: How to Outsmart Trolls and Troublemakers
Can you navigate the flurry of fake news and strike a balance between being a cynic and a sucker? Get the tools you need to stay ahead of online tricksters and trolls – and help combat the fake news cycle.
This class is for:
- Students
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Online and/or Newseum Learning Center Navigating NewseumED
In this hands-on introduction to our website, you'll learn how to find primary sources, videos, lessons and interactives to support your learning objectives in the classroom or on a field trip.
This class is for:
- Educators
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Newseum Learning Center, Documentary Theater and/or Virtually On the Campaign Trail: The Battle for Votes
Candidates know that it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. In every election season, the candidates and supporters compete to shape viewers’ opinions and garner their votes. Examine historical and contemporary campaign ads, learn how to navigate conflicting messages and leave empowered to separate fact from fiction.
This class is for:
- Students
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Learning Center Fighting Fake News: How to Outsmart Trolls and Troublemakers
Can you navigate the flurry of fake news and strike a balance between being a cynic and a sucker? Get the tools you need to stay ahead of online tricksters and trolls – and help combat the fake news cycle.
This class is for:
- Students
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Newseum Learning Center, Documentary Theater and/or Virtually On the Campaign Trail: The Battle for Votes
Candidates know that it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. In every election season, the candidates and supporters compete to shape viewers’ opinions and garner their votes. Examine historical and contemporary campaign ads, learn how to navigate conflicting messages and leave empowered to separate fact from fiction.
This class is for:
- Students
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Newseum Learning Center and/or Documentary Theater The EXPRESSway
Celebrate freedom of expression in this semi-guided museum experience. This program combines individual exploration, hands-on interaction and customized keepsakes.
This class is for:
- Students
- Professionals
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Online and/or Newseum Learning Center Navigating NewseumED
In this hands-on introduction to our website, you'll learn how to find primary sources, videos, lessons and interactives to support your learning objectives in the classroom or on a field trip.
This class is for:
- Educators
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Newseum Learning Center Media Ethics for Educators
Educators learn about the principles of ethical journalism — and how to teach them to your students — in this case-study-based professional development workshop.
This class is for:
- Educators
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Newseum Learning Center Judging Fact, Fiction and Everything In-Between: Teaching Media Literacy
Educators gain tools and techniques for deconstructing information in a variety of media, from historic newsreels to histrionic websites.
This class is for:
- Educators
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Newseum Learning Center and/or Documentary Theater The EXPRESSway
Celebrate freedom of expression in this semi-guided museum experience. This program combines individual exploration, hands-on interaction and customized keepsakes.
This class is for:
- Students
- Professionals
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Documentary Theater and/or Knight TV Studio NewsMania™
Test your news IQ by playing the Newseum’s popular current-events game show that’s as fresh as today’s headlines!
This class is for:
- Professionals
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Newseum Learning Center Media Ethics Team Building
This one-hour enrichment program introduces principles of ethical journalism to your team and gets them debating how media cover today’s stories.
This class is for:
- Professionals
What are EDCollections?
EDCollections are curated sets of primary sources, lesson plans and interactives that illustrate the role of the First Amendment in U.S. history.
EDCollections
Our EDCollections provide in-depth explorations of key topics built on primary sources from the Newseum collection and interactive learning tools.
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EDCollectionEDCollectionElection 2016: Stumped!?
Stumped by the media mayhem and roaring rhetoric of this presidential race? Get historical context and tools to demystify election procedures, decode campaign messages and make your voice matter.
ClosecollectionElection 2016: Stumped!?
Stumped by the media mayhem and roaring rhetoric of this presidential race? Get historical context and tools to demystify election procedures, decode campaign messages and make your voice matter.
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EDCollectionEDCollectionFreedom in the Balance
The terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, forced us to reconsider the balance between protecting public safety and protecting First Amendment freedoms – our cornerstone rights of religious liberty, free expression and political action. Twenty-two case studies explore how this debate has evolved from friction among Founding Fathers to cybersecurity standoffs.
ClosecollectionFreedom in the Balance
The terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, forced us to reconsider the balance between protecting public safety and protecting First Amendment freedoms – our cornerstone rights of religious liberty, free expression and political action. Twenty-two case studies explore how this debate has evolved from friction among Founding Fathers to cybersecurity standoffs.
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EDCollectionEDCollectionWomen, Their Rights and Nothing Less: The First Amendment and the Women’s Suffrage Movement
Explore how the suffragists embraced the First Amendment as a tool to help achieve passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920.
ClosecollectionWomen, Their Rights and Nothing Less: The First Amendment and the Women’s Suffrage Movement
Explore how the suffragists embraced the First Amendment as a tool to help achieve passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920.
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EDCollectionEDCollectionMaking a Change: The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement
See how advocates for - and against - change in the civil rights movement leveraged the five freedoms of the First Amendment to make their voices heard and achieve their goals.
ClosecollectionMaking a Change: The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement
See how advocates for - and against - change in the civil rights movement leveraged the five freedoms of the First Amendment to make their voices heard and achieve their goals.
What are EDIdeas
EDIdeas
Find tips, collection highlights and breaking news connections from the NewseumED staff.
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Historical Connections Resources for 2018 National History Day Projects
June 5, 2017Newseum Education offers rich on-site and online content for students working on "Conflict and Compromise" projects.
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Media Literacy Reading Headlines: Recognizing Media Influence
May 16, 2017A summer institute alum provides a lesson designed to help students think about how we read news, how that news influences our world view, and how to recognize bias both in ourselves and in the media.
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Media Literacy The Media Literacy Maven!
April 28, 2017Join a member of our Education staff on Facebook Live as she provides tips and tricks on how to navigate the murky waters of fake and misleading news. View past episodes here.
The primary and secondary resources are totally awesome!”
Hassan Mims Social Studies, Grades 9-12
The Newseum is a unique experience. It connects real world events to the heart of each individual.”
Jane Peterson English, Grade 8
All the content from NewseumED is high quality and fully accessible for my students. That makes it invaluable!”
Shay Taylor Education Technology Specialist, Grades 9-12 and college