School Programs

The Children’s Museum of the East End (CMEE) provides the ideal environment for using play to learn science, language arts, social studies and the arts, as well as the importance of community. Designed to meet NY State Learning Standards and Common Core for grades Pre-K through 2nd Grade, CMEE’s school programs can be adapted to meet the specific needs of students and teachers.

Play is vital for school children
Play provides a safe space for children to express new ideas without worrying about criticism. Play builds an awareness of language, fosters independence and self-esteem. Play teaches children to negotiate and compromise, and enables them to construct narratives and a sense of identity. CMEE’s school field trips offer numerous opportunities for children to learn through play.

Program Options
CMEE offers three different school programs that can be augmented for larger groups or for a longer visit to the Children’s Museum of the East End. Each program is thematically-based focused on one exhibition area of the Museum and includes dramatic play, games, and a creative activity such as gardening or art. 

Children playing at the Children's Museum of the East End during a field tripThe Art of Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner
As an extension of the Pollock Painting programs currently presented by the Pollock-Krasner House, students learn about the lives, artwork and creative practices of Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock.  In a rotation of small groups, students will practice the drip painting technique of Jackson Pollock and the painting collage technique of Lee Krasner. After the workshops, students participate in a group discussion about the two different creative processes practiced.  

Kids playing with a fire truck while staying at CMEE for a school tripFarmers
By pretending to manage a farm at CMEE, children learn about the science and culture of agriculture.  While discussing what fruits and vegetables need to grow, students will discover how farmers sow and harvest seeds and how they can plant their own seeds themselves.  After learning what they typically find on a farm such as tractors, animals, and crops, students will receive their own planting crates where they will plant their own fruit or vegetable seeds.

Children learning about gardening and agriculture in a school field trip at CMEE

Careers and Community Helpers
Employing dramatic, active, and constructive play, students take on different roles in the exhibits pretending to be restaurant staff, farm stand workers and emergency service volunteers.  In addition to participating in fun role-playing games, students enjoy an interactive read aloud and create art “products” while they learn new vocabulary and become more aware of the people and jobs involved in a community.

Girls playing in a farm stand during a field trip for students at the Children's MuseumScheduling a Museum Field Trip
School visits typically take place on Tuesdays at 10-11:30am. CMEE can accommodate schools with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 50 students at one time. Teachers should book a minimum of two weeks in advance to secure their desired date and time. 

CMEE’s school programs are flexible, however. If you wish to schedule a field trip for students on a day other than Tuesday or if your group is lower than the minimum or exceeds the maximum of students, please call CMEE’s Education Coordinator at 631-537-8250 to make arrangements.

Tour Fees & Confirmation Materials
School visits are $7 per child and there is no fee for instructors or chaperones. Passes or memberships of any kind are not accepted as entrance admission fees for group visits. Thanks to funding from the New York State Council for the Arts, CMEE is able to provide several free programs for schools. Please email liz@cmee.org for details.

Teachers receive a confirmation of their program via email or fax that will include pre- and post-visit materials and information about bus parking, lunch space, and cancellation policies within one week of booking their visits.

A little kid doing cooking classes during a field trip

Testimonials

The best children’s museum I’ve ever seen – the children loved it”     
-Westhampton Beach Learning Center

“Thank you for your time and energy. This museum is amazing! Great activities and interaction. It’s ‘make believe’ made real”
-Springs Elementary School

 

To schedule a group visit or a school field trip, or for information, please contact the Children’s Museum of the East End at (631) 537-8250 or
e-mail liz@cmee.org.