School Tour Procedures and Rules

The Old Schoolhouse Museum accommodates tour groups from public, private, parochial and home schools and non-school youth groups. The admission is free, however donations are appreciated and encouraged.

Tour Request

Tours may be scheduled by filling out a Tour Request and Agreement Form (See Scheduling a Tour below). Generally, tours are conducted between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

One adult supervisor is required for every 10 students (one for every 5 students under age 5). You must have the required number of supervisors or your group will not be admitted into the Museum.

Please note: We require that the adult supervisors (chaperones and teachers) do just that—SUPERVISE—by staying with the group, keeping the children together and maintaining discipline. All supervisors should know the goals of the visit, their responsibilities and the Museum policies as outlined below:

All members of the group must check in together.

Large groups will be divided into smaller groups (usually 15 or less). Groups must stay together during their tour.

Students should not use electronic games, portable media players, or any other electronic devices on guided tours. Cell phones may be used for photography, and cameras and video recording devices are allowed and encouraged. Cell phone calls are not allowed during tours.

Students should not run, make excessive noise, or cross barriers. They should not touch any of the artifacts or displays unless specifically invited to do so by their tour docent.

Students in group tours may visit the Museum Store in limited numbers under the supervision of at least one of the adults in the group.

The rights of Museum staff and other visitors must be respected at all times. These rules apply to all groups visiting the Museum.

If you need to cancel your tour notify us by phone or email.

Participation

Although we want everyone to have a great time, it sometimes happens that someone participating in a tour can behave badly or do things that are incompatible with the safety, comfort or convenience of the other members and/or museum staff. In those circumstances the museum docents and managers have the exclusive right and discretion, to expel them from a tour at any time, without any claims or complaints against us.

Lunch

Food is not available at the Museum and lunch space is limited to the front porch. We require that all school groups take care of their own trash after their visit.

We look forward to welcoming your group to the Museum!

Museum Store

The Old Schoolhouse Museum Gift Shop offers books, postcards, pencils, and toys for children. You are welcome to shop in the Gift Shop after you have completed your program. Up to 10 students are allowed in the Store at one time with an adult chaperone. Additional chaperones must supervise the remainder of the group.

School Tours

The Museum offers free tours for grades K - 6 from September through May. Third grade tours have accompanying lesson plans that can be completed in the classroom before Museum visits Lesson plans are designed to meet the History and Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools and engage students' multiple intelligences. Viewing and discussing artifacts and displays enriches learning and enhances critical thinking skills.

Elementary grade tours are docent-led, but middle school and high school teachers may lead their own tours of the Museum Collection if they notify the Museum in advance. All students and chaperones are FREE.

Many docents drive a long way to be here for your scheduled tour so please, if you must cancel notify us in advance.

Planning school visits

Visiting the Old Schoolhouse Museum is an invaluable learning experience for students. It's a charming, convenient history lesson in your backyard. The tours tell stimulating local history accounts that are not found in textbooks. Students will learn more than just the history of the museum, they will also learn some of the history of the City of Twentynine Palms and surrounding area.

The museum is an excellent tool for historical research. Students are encouraged to tour the museum and ask questions of the tour docents.

How to Prepare for your Guided School Tour

Many students have never been to a museum before. While we want children to respect the museum and its artwork, tours emphasize interaction—we encourage students to talk about what they see and ask questions. Tours aren't a lecture—they are a chance for your class to explore and express themselves.

Understanding basic rules:

The tour will be most successful if you and your students agree to and understand three things:

• Be safe
• Engage
• Have fun

Before your visit, lead a class discussion to help the students determine how to be safe, engage and have fun in the museum.

What does it means to be safe in a museum?

• Do not touch or handle the artifacts.
  Why? The artifacts are old, fragile, and irreplaceable—it is our job to keep it in good shape for the community to enjoy for generations to come.
• Leave food, gum and drinks in the designated place.
  Why? Food can damage artifacts and can attract bugs that destroy artifacts.
• Walk carefully and avoid running or climbing. No one wants to bump and knock over the artifacts, displays, or temporary walls.
• Take as many photos as you want.

How do we engage with?

• Focus on the tour activities (no phone use, small group chatter, etc.)
• Look quietly and carefully when directed.
• Think of questions you have about the displays and artifacts.
• Raise your hand and ask your questions!
• Listen to what everyone has to say—your classmates, docents and teachers. Everyone's opinions and questions are important.
• Think about how the artifacts relate to you and your life. Does they remind you of something?
• What does fun look like in a museum?
• Figuring out what the items were used for and how they were used.
• Expressing what you see or think.
• Participating in collaborative group activities.
• Getting involved in hands-on activities in the museum.
• Remembering the tour through a free take home booklet with art and activities.
• Planning to bring back 2 adults.

What is the class signal to get students attention?
Your docent will want to know what signal your class uses to get the group's attention when they are on tour (clapping, hand signals, a class word, etc).

Museum Rules and Guidelines

These rules and guidelines are specifically created for educators and parents who will be visiting the museum with school groups. In the interest of public well-being and the safety of the museum's collections, all visitors are expected to comply with museum rules. Please inform students and adults in your group about the following conditions:

• The Museum requires one adult chaperone for every 10 students visiting.
• Considerate behavior is expected of all visitors.
• You must comply with the directions of the museum docent.
• Follow and participate in your tour with your docent.
• Coats, backpacks, umbrellas, food and drinks are not permitted inside the museum galleries. Water bottles are permitted.
• Except when noted, the Museum does not permit visitors to touch or handle artifacts or displays. Please explain this to your students.
• No climbing on anything.
• Students must be accompanied by an adult at all times, whether in the school room, display room, gift shop, restrooms, or outdoor spaces.
• Rules on Photography: Photography of the Museum Collection is permitted with a cell phone film or digital camera. Photography using lights and/or tripods is not permitted.
• Use inside voices at all times.
• Do not run.
• Follow and participate in your tour with your docent.
• Our docents are educators. Teachers and chaperones are expected to manage student behavior in every area of the Museum.
• Considerate behavior is expected of all visitors.
• Students, chaperones, and teachers must comply with the directions of the museum docent(s) and staff.
• Chaperones must stay with their group at all times and are expected to assist the docent in keeping the group on track

 

Tips and Rules for Visiting School Groups

Following are rules of conduct for students, teachers, and chaperones. They help to protect the safety of the students, preserve museum artifacts, and make the visit enjoyable for everyone.

1. Go over the rules with your students before your museum visit. Docents will remind students of the rules when they arrive at the museum.

2. Try to arrive 15 minutes before your program is scheduled to begin. This will give your docent time to organize your group.

3. The Old Schoolhouse Museum requires 1 adult for every 10 students on a school program and 1 for every 6 for children under 6 years old. Teachers and chaperones must remain with students at all times. Ultimately, they are responsible for the safety and discipline of their students.

4. No gum, food, or drinks are allowed in the museum. Water bottles are okay.

5. Anything that rings, beeps, or buzzes must be silenced before the program begins.

6. Do not lean on glass cases, windows, doors or walls.

7. Do not touch anything unless a docent says it is okay.

8. No pushing, running, roughhousing, or shoes with wheels.

9. If a school group cannot comply with the rules, museum staff may end the program.

 

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Twentynine Palms Historical Society

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