Download lesson plans and learning guides, watch videos, order books and recordings, browse online exhibitions, and link to a world of cultural heritage educational materials.
Cultural Education Resources
Tools for Learning
Find descriptions and downloads of guides, lesson plans, media programs, and other useful cultural educational materials produced by the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Contact us if you have any trouble with downloads or need other guidance in using these materials.
National Conversations in Context
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Armenian Genocide & a Culture of Survival
Look into the experience of Armenian Americans, drawing on cultural heritage to survive and heal.
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Asian America
Explore a list of multimedia resources for understanding and celebrating Asian American cultures.
Guides
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Bermuda Connections: A Cultural Resource for Classrooms
Download this toolkit to introduce students to the cultural identity and heritage of Bermuda; supplemental video features students interviewing tradition bearers in their communities.
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Borders and Identity: Identidad y Frontera
Download a bilingual guide and watch videos exploring cultures along the United States-Mexico border.
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Discovering Our Delta: A Learning Guide for Community Research
Watch a video that uses examples from real student research to demonstrate interview methods; download student and teacher guides.
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El Río: Do Your Own Exhibition Kit
Download a guide to create your own exhibition in your classroom, library, or cultural center; includes six short video clips.
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Land and Native American Cultures
Download a kit introducing students to Native American land use through three case studies in Arizona, Alaska, and the Andes.
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Learning About Folklife
Download this guide about folklife and cultural research broken into four units, each supplemented by videos; focuses on the U.S. Virgin Islands and Senegal but can be applied to any region.
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Masters of the Building Arts Activity Guide
Download a guide with hands-on activities and background information about the skills and traditions of master craftworkers in the building trades.
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The Smithsonian Folklife and Oral History Interviewing Guide
Download this comprehensive guide for conducting interviews with members of your own family and community.
Lesson Plans
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Smithsonian Folkways Tools for Teaching
Download free lesson plans and activities to introduce students to a variety of music and culture. Find information on subscribing to streaming Folkways collections in your school. Learn about upcoming Folkways teacher workshops and certification program.
Recordings
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Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Explore all that the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings site has to offer, including curated features and an online magazine. Use the search function to find the music of various cultural groups. Order CDs or download selections.
More Tools
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Online Exhibitions and Special Features
Curated pages create a rich cultural experience; many include lesson plans. The next best thing to a trip to a museum or to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival!
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Publications and Media
Order or download in-depth publications and media products from past cultural projects including the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
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Folkways Soundscapes Features
Short curated pieces on a variety of cultural subjects with related Folkways Recordings and other helpful links.
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Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Learn about past, present, and upcoming Festival programs.
Publications
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage produces the Smithsonian Folklife Festival which has generated a number of related publications. In addition, the Center produced the Talk Story print newsletter between 2005 and 2008.
