Distance Learning

The Amon Carter Museum’s distance learning programs are live, two-way audio and video programs that bring the museum to your classroom. Focusing on the Carter’s collection of American art, the programs engage students and teachers with museum staff in discussions and activities exploring art, history, culture, language arts, and science. Videoconference programs align with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and National Standards. For more information about programs or scheduling, e-mail distancelearning [at] cartermuseum [dot] org or call 817.989.5038.

Videoconferences for Students

Most programs are accompanied by pre-broadcast activities that facilitate participation during the broadcast. You receive these by mail in advance of the scheduled program date. Additional information and supporting lesson plans for many of these programs are available at http://www.cartermuseum.org/teaching/online-resources.

American Impressionism (grades 8–12)
By viewing and discussing artworks by Mary Cassatt, William Merritt Chase (1849–1916), Childe Hassam (1859–1935), John Singer Sargent (1856–1925), and others, students discover how the advent of American Impressionism was more than just an imitation of the Impressionist movement in France. The basic tenets of Impressionism, as well as the historical and cultural influences of the time, are discussed.
Art of the American West (grades 6–12)
This program brings American history to life! Working with images, students analyze the ways in which important artists have interpreted the western United States during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This program promotes and improves students’ observation and critical thinking skills while making connections between art and history. After the videoconference, continue exploring the theme by using supporting lesson plans from the Carter’s online teaching guide Inspiring Visions: Artists’ Views of the American West.
Art Work (grades 4–12)
Students travel behind the scenes and learn about fascinating career opportunities in an art museum. They interact with art professionals from various museum departments and make connections between the skills and knowledge needed to work in the arts and what they are learning in the core content areas of their curriculum.
Beautiful Biomes (grades 2–5)
Science and art intersect as students creatively use works by renowned nature photographer Eliot Porter (1901–1990) to broaden their understanding of scientific processes, identify and describe the environmental regions of the world, and discuss plant and animal adaptations. After the videoconference, continue exploring the theme by using supporting lesson plans from the Carter’s online teaching guide Eliot Porter: The Color of Wildness.
Cowboy Close-Up (grades K–6)
The photographs of Erwin E. Smith (1886–1947), along with the paintings and sculpture of Frederic Remington (1861–1909) and Charles M. Russell (1864–1926), are viewed as primary resources that tell the story of the American cowboy during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Students experience the lifestyle of a cowboy through the eyes and words of an historical reenactor as they watch video clips filmed with an authentic chuck wagon. After the videoconference, continue exploring the theme by using supporting lesson plans from the Carter’s online teaching guide Erwin E. Smith: The Cowboy Photographer.
Encountering Texas (grades 3–7)
Students explore Texas in the 1840s and 1850s through the eyes of three newcomers who joined the vast migration of Americans headed to Texas. In delicate watercolors and drawings, artists James Gilchrist Benton (1820–1881), Edward Everett (1818–1903), and Sarah Ann Lillie Hardinge (1824–1913) recorded their individual observations of the young state. After the videoconference, continue exploring the theme by using supporting lesson plans from the Carter’s online teaching guide Encountering Texas: 1846–56.
How to Make an Artist (grades pre-K–2)
Students are introduced to artists and their work through picture-book biographies and discussion. During the program, students create art in the style of Frederic Remington and Georgia O’Keeffe.
Images of American Indians (grades 3–5)
In addition to developing an appreciation for fine art while learning more about the culture of American Indians, this program develops students’ critical thinking and writing skills.
Language of Art (grades 2–12)
Students discover how artists convey ideas, create expression, and organize composition through the use of the elements of art and principles of design. Through interactive dialogue, students learn art vocabulary and practice speaking the “language of art.”
Metaphorically Seeing—It’s All About Me (grades 6–12)
In this program students explore portraiture, refine their knowledge of metaphors and symbolism, and experience the use of figurative language in writing and visual media.
A New View of Black History (grades 2–12)
Through the colorful, rhythmic paintings of William H. Johnson (1901–1970) students explore the lifestyles, struggles, and spirituality of African-Americans in the United States during the early twentieth century. Accompanying activities strengthen students’ writing skills and increase their awareness of important African-American literary figures.
Painters and Place (grades 8–12)
This virtual gallery tour and interactive discussion focuses on how Stuart Davis (1894–1964), Marsden Hartley (1887–1943), Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986), and other well-known American artists of the early twentieth century were inspired by each other and their surroundings.
Passport to Planet EARTH (grades 1–5)
See the art; save the Earth! Pick up your passport and connect to the American experience through the Carter’s collection of great American art. During this interactive broadcast, students “tour” the country—from the mountains of Upstate New York to the southwestern desert—and travel back in time to witness the first visions of the conservation movement as seen in an extraordinary nineteenth-century painting.
Picturing History Through Art (grades 5–12, including Advanced Placement)
Students examine the ways that works of art illustrate or were influenced by events that shaped American history during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The Snow Show (grades K–6)
Students investigate the scientific and mathematical intricacies of individual snowflakes while viewing and discussing how American artists have depicted the beauty and wonder of snow and ice. Students also learn to create delicate six-pointed snowflakes.
Stories and the American West (grades 4–7)
This program uses art as a stimulus for students to create their own personal narratives about the American West. Participating teachers receive a CD of digital images and creative writing activities to reinforce the theme after the broadcast.
Texas Bird’s-Eye Views (grades 3–12)
From 1871 to 1891, a handful of artists crisscrossed Texas producing large and highly detailed bird’s-eye views of burgeoning cities and towns. This videoconference gives students the opportunity to analyze these remarkable images and explore the growth and development of nineteenth-century Texas towns and cities. After the videoconference, continue exploring the theme by using supporting lesson plans from the Carter’s online teaching guide Texas Bird’s-Eye Views.
Virtual Field Trips (grades K–12)
Many of the student tours designed for visitors to the Amon Carter Museum can be adapted to the videoconference format and brought right into your classroom. Please see the guided tour topics for these additional program titles. These gallery tour programs do not include pre-broadcast activities; they are usually scheduled on Mondays or between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. on other weekdays when the galleries are closed to the public. To discuss or schedule a virtual field trip, contact the Distance Learning and Docent Program Manager at 817.989.5038 or at distancelearning [at] cartermuseum [dot] org.

Videoconferences for Educators

Enliven professional development opportunities for teachers by bringing the Amon Carter Museum’s extensive American art collection right to your campus! Through videoconferencing, our professional educators can tailor faculty training to your needs, incorporating visual arts, language arts, social studies, and other disciplines. Contact the Distance Learning and Docent Program Manager at 817.989.5038 or at distancelearning [at] cartermuseum [dot] org, or browse program offerings at www.cartermuseum.org/teaching/workshops.

Scheduling and Fees

We will broadcast programs to suit your scheduling needs. You may schedule a program by e-mailing distancelearning [at] cartermuseum [dot] org (distancelearning@cartermuseum.org) or calling 817.989.5038. You may also select from a calendar of program offerings on our bridge Web site, www.Connect2Texas.net. If standard program offerings or tours do not meet your needs, you may request a customized program on other topics related to the permanent collection and special exhibitions at the Carter. Audience participation should be limited to no more than thirty students. The standard fee for a one hour program is $100. Discounts will be provided when three or more programs are scheduled in one request. All schools outside Texas are responsible for their own line charges. Payment for programs will be refunded only if cancellations are received forty-eight hours in advance.

Technical Requirements

Unless special circumstances and/or networks are indicated on a specific program listing, we can connect to you through our bridge (ESC Region XI) in one of the following ways:

Dial-In using ISDN (H.320) with the remote site initiating the call.
Dial-Out using ISDN (H.320) with Connect2Texas initiating the call at $100 per hour charge.
Internet connection IP (H.323) over the general commodity Internet.
Internet connection IP (H.323) using Internet2.
Direct connections to other Education Service Centers using the statewide videoconferencing network (TETN).

For technical assistance or to ask questions about the connectivity options, contact Lori Hamm at 817.740.7616 or at lhamm [at] esc11 [dot] net (lhamm@esc11.net).

Teaching Resources