Resources for Educators
MoNA values your work and dedication as an educator and we hope to support you with these resources that we have created and gathered throughout the years. We also have a poster version for you to print and put up in your school or view digitally with live links! Click here for a version in both Spanish & English.
Art Box Lending Library
The Art Box Lending Library is a free art supply rental from the MoNA Art Studio. We are excited to share our resources with teachers in our community! Teachers are welcome to check-out boxes which contain specific art materials and sample lesson plans.
Art Lesson Archives
This unique resource features an expanding collection of comprehensive lesson plans inspired by Northwest artists. The lessons have been thoughtfully crafted throughout the years of the MoNA Link Program, and viewers can download plans in a wide range of media. We have made it a priority to highlight underrepresented artists from the Northwest.
MoNA Link
Established in 2003, this program is a partnership between MoNA and local school districts designed to provide art education opportunities. MoNA Link is a comprehensive two-year professional development program that offers multiple museum visits and standards based integrated art lessons designed by museum educators.
Additional Resources
Visual Thinking Strategies
Our MoNA Link program utilizes Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), which is a research-based teaching method that promotes aesthetic development including critical thinking and communication skills. Here in the MoNA, we use VTS to engage students and general visitors with art encouraging them to observe closely, think critically and discuss respectfully; however, VTS can be effectively used across curricula. This approach teaches its participants how to take the time to observe closely, describe what they see in detail and provide evidence for their observations. Students learn that their reflections and thoughts are valued and appreciated in this inclusive teaching method. VTS promotes the key elements of the Common Core approach to learning, and research has proven its efficacy. If you are interested in learning more about VTS, here is their website. If you already know and love VTS, but want help finding great images to VTS in your classroom, here is a fantastic gallery.
Art Supplies for Kids (ASK) Program
The goal of this program to help out local art educators as they provide art instruction to the next generation of artists. Educators can click here for more information or to apply.
Common Core Arts Standards
As a useful guide for WA State Educators, here is a link to the Common Core Arts Standards. The Common Core Arts Standards incorporate the National Core Arts Standards with contend developed by K-12 educators. The standards promote holistic education for students, as the arts engage all learning styles and lead to powerful and lifelong learning habits such as creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
Since Time Immemorial Curriculum
The state mandated Since Time Immemorial Curriculum teaches about the history, culture and government of the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe or tribes. The online curriculum has a menu of Tribal sovereignty information, short lessons, and even entire units for every U.S. History, Washington State History, and Contemporary World Problems unit that OSPI recommends.
Cedar Box Experience
This interactive and educational website offers an immersive journey into Pacific Northwest plants, foods, cultural ecosystems, and Coast Salish foodways. Learn through stories, art, photos, videos, games, and explore the sounds found in cultural ecosystems. The project is a collaborative effort between Feed Seven Generations, Tahoma Peak Solutions, GRuB’s Wild Foods and Medicines Program, and the Swinomish Community Environmental Health Program.
Skagit Watershed Council’s Environmental and STEAM Programs for K-12
The following local organizations are offering programs for in-person or virtual K-12 classrooms and/or parents who are homeschooling.
Child Protection Policy
MoNA requires that minors participating in MoNA Link, Early Enrichment, and other events or programs are to be accompanied at all times by an adult or a school-designated representative when at the museum.
