Pre-Visit Information
Prior to your scheduled program, click the button below to open and closely review the pre-visit packet.
Do you need information to share with your school about the goals and benefits of this program? Access the guide: “How will the program support my student’s learning?”
Program Introduction - All Classrooms
While the Museum staff and volunteers set up the program in your classroom(s), please play this introductory video for your students. The video will:
- Introduce the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum;
- define History Detectives;
- introduce the three types of evidence/primary sources – photographs, documents, and artifacts;
- provide an overview of the program and missions;
- and review program expectations.
*Note that during the video students will be prompted to share their ideas with their neighbor. We appreciate your help in facilitating this.
Artifact Station
- Please arrange your classroom so that students are divided into even groups (preferably 5-6 groups of 3-4 students each). This activity has some reading involved, so ensuring each team has a strong reader will be helpful.
- Ensure that students have something to write with so they can complete their notebook pages. Students should work at tables/grouped desks.
- The Mission Agent (CSPM staff or volunteer) will need table space around the classroom to setup artifacts and corresponding labels. They will also pre-set a small bag (with puzzle pieces) out for each group.
- We ask that teachers, staff and parent helpers work with the small groups during each activity. We also appreciate help with stamping the notebooks and assisting CSPM staff/volunteers with activity preparation and clean-up.
Photograph Station
- Please arrange your classroom so that students are divided into even groups (preferably 5-6 groups of 3-4 students each). This activity has some reading involved, so ensuring each team has a strong reader will be helpful.
- Ensure that students have something to write with so they can complete their notebook pages. Students should work at tables/grouped desks.
- The Mission Agent (CSPM staff or volunteer) will need table space at the front of the classroom to setup photo packets and several artifacts. They will also pre-set a cipher decoder at each student’s desk.
- We ask that teachers, staff and parent helpers work with the small groups during each activity. We also appreciate help with stamping the notebooks and assisting CSPM staff/volunteers with activity preparation and clean-up.
Document Station
- Please arrange your classroom so that students are divided into even groups (preferably 5-6 groups of 3-4 students each). This activity has some reading involved, so ensuring each team has a strong reader will be helpful.
- Ensure that students have something to write with so they can complete their notebook pages. Students should work at tables/grouped desks.
- The Mission Agent (CSPM staff or volunteer) will need floor space around the classroom to setup the newspaper pages (ideally they can spread these out). They will also pre-set magnifying glasses for each group.
- During the chronology activity, it is helpful to have a stretch of floor space where students can form a line holding their dates.
- We ask that teachers, staff and parent helpers work with the small groups during each activity. We also appreciate help with stamping the notebooks and assisting CSPM staff/volunteers with activity preparation and clean-up.
Share Your Feedback
We are always working to improve our program offerings and would appreciate you sharing your feedback via the survey link below: