Spring Educator Open House

Celebrate Earth Day and National Poetry Month at our Spring Educator Open House, featuring resources and activities that activate students’ freedom of expression. Enjoy an exclusive, guided museum tour with our School Programs team and explore our Year of Free Speech exhibitions, including our foundational gallery, Free Speech: Our Right, Our Responsibility, and Word Powered: Exploring Free Speech Through Art, in which contemporary artists examine the dynamic relationship between censorship, freedom of expression, and diverse perspectives. Take copies of our Year of Free Speech Educator Resource Guide back to your classroom and continue the discussion of free expression with your students.

Continue your exploration of free expression during a poetry workshop, presented by local artist, Marshall James Kavanaugh. Through environmentally conscious crafting, educators will write haikus on recycled paper containing wildflower seeds, which can later be planted in pots or home gardens. The Dream Seeds Poetry Workshop addresses scientific topics such as seed germination and pollination while also demonstrating the haiku-writing process as a vehicle for student expression in the classroom. This interdisciplinary workshop intersects environmental sustainability and creative writing, is transferable to the classroom, and can be adapted for any grade level.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

4 pm Guided Tours of NLM’s Year of Free Speech Exhibitions

5 pm Dream Seeds Poetry Workshop with Marshall James Kavanaugh

Complimentary light refreshments will be provided

TICKETS

Free for educators, teachers, or school faculty with valid school ID

Children and families of educators are welcome to attend at NLM’s General Admission prices:

Adults: $12

Seniors (65+): $10

Students (with valid ID): $8

Youth (ages 6–17): $6

Children (under 5): Free

Museum Members: Free

PRESENTERS

Marshall James Kavanaugh

Marshall James Kavanaugh is a Philadelphia-based dream laborer and performance poet. He has performed his poetry at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation, Monument Lab, and the Philadelphia International Airport. As Dream Poet For Hire, Marshall creates stream-of-subconscious inspired poetry on demand for the general public. Equipped with a Smith-Corona Skyriter, he sets up in public spaces around the city and tailors on-the-spot poems on any theme. @dreampoetforhire