Michigan Content Standards and Benchmarks Alignment. Our tours and lessons are developed in accordance with Michigan Curriculum Framework Standards of Authentic Instruction (high-order thinking, deep knowledge, substantive conversation and connections beyond the classroom) and are aligned with Michigan Content Standards and Benchmarks in such subject areas as English Language Arts, Social Studies and Arts Education. For references to specific Content Standards and Benchmarks, see individual programs.

TOURS
We offer tours of the exhibitions at Cranbrook Art Museum and of outdoor sculpture and architecture on Cranbrook grounds. Whether you teach elementary, middle or high school, our tours are fun and educational for all ages.

Tours are conducted in the form of lively gallery talks, in the course of which students discuss subjects from such diverse fields as contemporary art, culture, literature, history, mythology, politics, economics, science, mathematics and many others.

Teachers are encouraged to set up an appointment with the Curator of Education to preview the exhibitions or to discuss a customized tour plan at no charge. Contact phone number: 248.645.3361.

K-12 LESSONS: CLASSROOM DISCUSSION + MUSEUM FIELDTRIP
Lessons led by an Education Department staff member, docent or Cranbrook Academy of Art graduate student artist, offer students the opportunity to explore works of art within the context of a specific social, historical or cultural issue. These are interactive lessons in which students engage in discussion and may write, draw, or complete assignments in the galleries.

All K-12 lessons include an in-school presentation by an Education Department staff member, docent or Cranbrook Academy of Art graduate student artist, followed by a fieldtrip to Cranbrook Art Museum. A post-visit, in-school lesson also may be provided at the teacher's request.

All Museum sessions are approximately one hour in length. Maximum group size is twenty students. If there are more students participating in the program, they will be organized in multiple groups less than twenty students per docent.

Teachers are welcome either to choose a lesson from the list below or to suggest their own theme by contacting the Education Department and discussing the curricular needs and interests with the Curator of Education.

Fee: students pay regular tour fee when they visit Cranbrook Art Museum (see How to Book a Tour.) In-school presentations are free.

SAMPLE LESSONS

What is an Art Museum?
Students will explore the Museum, learning about objects of art on display and the Museum collection. Students will also learn through experience and soft direction, the best etiquette to practice when visiting museums. Recommended for grades K-5.

Making Art As a Profession: Discussing the Artistic Process With an Artist
The process of creating art from an initial concept to a finished work is explored with a Cranbrook Academy of Art graduate student who is pursuing an MFA degree in one of ten departments which include Architecture, 2D Design, 3D Design, Ceramics, Fiber, Metalsmithing, Painting,, Photography, Print Media and Sculpture. Recommended for grades 6-12.

Art Words: Creative Writing Based on Art Discussions
Students will practice writing short stories/essays following discussions of artwork from the Museum's collection, including outdoor sculpture. For younger students, writing can be substituted with storytelling. Recommended for grades 2-12. The lesson description is available in PDF format.

Greek Myths Told in the Language of Sculpture. (Seasonal)
The exciting world of Greek gods and heroes is discussed in the context of visiting Carl Milles's outdoor sculpture on Cranbrook's grounds. The program includes readings from classical Greek literature (for older students.) Recommended for grades K-12. The lesson description is available in PDF format.

Cranbrook Architecture: Cranbrook Campus Designed by Eliel Saarinen. (Seasonal)
The basic concepts of city-planning, architectural and landscape design are explored in the context of the the architecture and planning of the Cranbrook Educational Community campus, which is a National Historic Landmark. Recommended for grades 6-12. The lesson description is available in PDF format.

The American Scene: Artists' Vision of The Great Depression
Students will explore life during the Great Depression in the United States as it was recorded by artists in prints and paintings in the collection of Cranbrook Art Museum. Recommended for grades 9-12. The lesson description is available in PDF format.

Prints by Contemporary Cuban Artists
Students will learn about the history and modern life in Cuba in the course of discussing prints by Cuban artists from the collection of Cranbrook Art Museum. Recommended for grades 9-12. The lesson description is available in PDF format.

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR

1. Registration: 248.645.3361
Please be prepared to provide the following information:

• your name and phone number;

• preferred dates and times of the visit (please provide several options);

• school name and mailing address;

• county;

• age, grade and number of students;

• special factors that should be considered by the museum (disabilities, limited English, etc.)

• number of adults (elementary school: one adult chaperon per 6 students; middle and high school: one adult chaperon per 10 students);

• what exhibitions you would like to see;

• students' interests and the goals of the tour (what skills and concepts you would like students to learn, whether there is a writing assignment to follow, etc.);

• tour deposit.

Tours should be scheduled only during the Museum's school tour time, Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm and no less than 2 weeks in advance of the requested dates.

2. Confirmation
We will send you an information packet and a confirmation letter.

3. Deposit
A $30 deposit is due upon booking to secure your date and time.

4. Cancellation of a tour
Please call 248-645-3361 at least 48 hours in advance. With a prompt cancellation, your deposit will be returned to you.

5. Fee
$4 per student, unless otherwise noted. Final payment is due upon arrival at the Museum. There is no fee for teachers and chaperons, if they do not exceed the requested number of adults. Additional chaperons will be charged $7 per person. Cash, check or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) accepted.