Education

General Info for Educators

The Anderson County Museum is a place to explore, listen, read, discover, and enjoy. One important area of focus is meeting the needs of our school groups by providing programs that will enhance the classroom learning experience. All programs are designed to address numerous social studies standards for each grade level. Students will have an interactive experience while connecting their community with influences that create a unique and diverse society within our state, country, and around the globe.

For K-12 audiences, our school programs are designed to address South Carolina social studies standards. Our programs enrich classroom curriculum and provide an engaging, hands-on journey into the significant parts of Anderson County history.

Teachers and chaperones are required on all ACM visits and tours. One adult teacher or chaperone is requested per six students. All students must conduct themselves appropriately while visiting the museum. Please ask students to display good behavior and not run through the gallery, climb on exhibits, or consume food and beverages in the museum. Students should be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times during their visit. When you arrive, please allow enough time for students to take a restroom break. ACM has shaded outdoor picnic tables that you are welcome to use for lunches or snacks, these must be reserved when booking your field trip or tour. Please make sure to clean up afterwards.

List of Educational Events

A field trip or tour will be tailor-made for your age group or grade. You can explore the entire museum on your own or book a tour with a docent in advance. Numerous standards at each grade level will be addressed during a tour. Tours generally last one hour depending on the age of the group and how much time you have to visit. Field trips are recommended for grades K-2 and homeschool groups.

Some of our permanent exhibits are:

• South Carolina Heritage Corridor – describes the nine towns on the Heritage Trail that make up Anderson County.
• King of Mirth Shows – a miniature model of the Anderson County fair in the early 20th century.
• By the Book – a historical view of education through the years in Anderson County.
• Keep the Home Fires Burning – depicts the 14 conflicts in which Anderson County was involved from the American Revolution to current conflicts.
• Trade Street – a reflection of the historic business culture throughout the county.
• Turbines and Textiles – shows the importance of electricity and textiles to Anderson County.
• Routes of History – Phase I, II and III– The Anderson Airport, the Anderson Trolley, the Ferry, the Auto-mobile, and the Railroad.

Field Trips

KINDERGARTEN
FIRST GRADE
SECOND GRADE

KINDERGARTEN

The Way It Was K-2.2, K-4.1 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
Students can visit the By the Book exhibit and compare their daily lives in the past and in the present as related to school life.
Business as Usual K-4.3 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
At the Trade Street exhibit, students experience the historic business culture of the county. They will be able to see some goods and services that were present in Anderson’s past.
Routes of History K-4.1, K-4.2, K-4.3
In the Routes of History exhibit, students will see many modes of transportation in Anderson County.

FIRST GRADE

The Way It Was 1-1.2 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
Students can visit the By the Book exhibit and will com-pare their daily lives in the past and in the present as related to school life.
Cultures of the Community 1-4.1, 1-4.2 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
The exhibits Trade Street and Textiles and Turbines will be the backdrop for students to experience community life of Anderson County in the late 1800’s and 1900’s and how different their lives are today. A self-guided tour will follow.
Routes of History 1-2.3, 1-4.1
In the Routes of History exhibit, students will see many modes of transportation in Anderson County.

SECOND GRADE

Business as Usual 2-3.2, 2-3.3, 2-3.4 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
At the Trade Street exhibit, students experience the historic business culture of the county. They will be able to see goods and services that were present in Anderson’s past.
Routes of History 2-1.4, 2-4.2, 2-4.3, 2-4.4
In the Routes of History exhibit, students will see many modes of transportation in Anderson County. Featuring the Anderson Airport, the Anderson Trolley System, the Ferry, the Automobile, and the Railroad.

Tours

Docent led tours are recommended for grades 3-12

THIRD GRADE

Turbines and Textiles 3-4.1, 3-4.2, 3-5.1 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
At this exhibit, students learn about the crucial role that cotton played in South Carolina’s and Anderson’s economy, cotton farming, and life in the county’s textile mill villages. There is a spinning wheel, a Draper loom, and a restored cotton gin along with farm implements. The lesson also describes the history of hydroelectricity in “The Electric City.”
The Way it Was 3-4.1, 3-4.6, 3-5.5 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
Students will begin at Miss Frierson’s School, an 1886 one-room school house in the upper parking lot, if requested. They will compare/contrast the educational experiences of the past with their experiences today. They will continue inside the museum at the By the Book exhibit, which depicts the different routes that Andersonians would follow to achieve education for their children throughout the history of the Upstate.
South Carolina in Wartime 3-3.2, 3-3.3, 3-4.3, 3-4.4, 3-5.4 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
This program is designed to meet 3rd grade standards. Students will learn about South Carolina and Anderson’s efforts in the Cherokee War of 1760, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI and WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.
Routes of History 3-1.3, 3-4.1, 3-4.5, 3-4.6, 3-5.1, 3-5.2, 3-5.6

FOURTH GRADE

South Carolina in Wartime 4-3.1, 4-3.3, 4-3.4, 4-6.1, 4-6.3, 4-6.5 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
This program is designed for 4th grade standards. Students will learn about South Carolina and Anderson’s efforts in 14 conflicts ranging from the Cherokee War of 1760 and the American Revolution through the Gulf War.
Keep the Home Fires Burning exhibit displays soldiers’ uniforms, rifles, swords, and other military artifacts.

FIFTH GRADE

Turbines and Textiles 5-3.1, 5-3.4 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
At this exhibit, students learn about the crucial role that cotton played in South Carolina and Anderson’s economy, new inventions of the cotton gin, and electricity to power machines that helped drive the Industrial Revolution.
South Carolina in Wartime 5-3.6, 5-4.1, 5-4.4, 5-4.6 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
This program is designed for 5th grade standards. Students will learn about South Carolina and Anderson’s efforts in 14 conflicts ranging from the Cherokee War of 1760 and the American Revolution through the Gulf War.
Keep the Home Fires Burning exhibit displays soldiers’ uniforms, rifles, swords, and other military artifacts.
Routes of History 5-2.2, 5-3.1, 5-3.4, 5-4.1
In the Routes of History exhibit, students will see many modes of transportation in Anderson County. Featuring the Anderson Airport, the Anderson Trolley System, the Ferry, the Automobile, and the Railroad.

SIXTH GRADE

Even though the exhibits are not specific to the standards in sixth grade, a general tour of the museum addresses the following Social Studies Literacy Skills:
• Compare the locations of places, the conditions at places, and the connections between places.
• Apply economic decision making to understand how limited resources necessitate choices.

SEVENTH GRADE

South Carolina in Wartime 7-3.7, 7-4.1, 7-4.2, 7-4.5, 7-5.4, 7-6.3 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
This program is designed for 7th grade standards. Students will learn about South Carolina and Anderson’s efforts in 14 conflicts including the Cherokee War of 1760, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI and WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.
The Keep the Home Fires Burning exhibit displays soldiers’ uniforms, rifles, swords, and other military artifacts.
Routes of History 7-3.4
In the Routes of History exhibit, students will see many modes of transportation in Anderson County. Featuring the Anderson Airport, the Anderson Trolley System, the Ferry, the Automobile, and the Railroad.

EIGHTH GRADE

South Carolina in Wartime 8-2.2, 8-2.4, 8-2.5, 8-2.6, 8-4.5, 8-4.6, 8-6.1, 8-6.5 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
This program is designed for 8th grade standards. Students will learn about South Carolina and Anderson’s efforts in 14 conflicts including the Cherokee War of 1760, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI and WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.
The Keep the Home Fires Burning exhibit displays soldiers’ uniforms, rifles, swords, and other military artifacts.
Turbines and Textiles 8-4.1, 8-5.5, 8-6.3, 8-7.4 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
At this exhibit students learn about the crucial role that cotton played in South Carolina’s and Anderson’s economy, new inventions of the cotton gin and electricity to power machines that helped drive the Industrial Revolution.
The Way it Was 8-7.2 and numerous Social Studies Literacy Skills
Students begin at Miss Frierson’s School, an 1886 one-room school house in the upper parking lot. They compare/contrast the educational experiences of the past to their experiences today. The lesson continues inside the museum at By the Book exhibit that follows the different routes that Andersonians followed to achieve education for their children throughout the history of the Upstate. Special emphasis is placed on the civil rights in SC and school integration.
Routes of History 8-1.1, 8-5.5, 8-7.1
In the Routes of History exhibit, students will see many modes of transportation in Anderson County. Featuring the Anderson Airport, the Anderson Trolley System, the Ferry, the Automobile, and the Railroad.

HIGH SCHOOL

Global Studies Keep the Home Fires Burning GS-5.1, GS-5.2, GS-5.3, GS-5.4, GS-6.2, GS-6.3, GS-6.4
A general tour of the museum is conducted with emphasis on the military exhibit that describes South Carolina’s and Anderson’s efforts in 14 conflicts including the Cherokee War of 1760, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI and WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.
United States History and the Constitution
Numerous standards are addressed through an overall tour of the museum. The exhibits that will be of importance include:
• By the Book – a historical view of education through the years in Anderson County
• Keep the Home Fires Burning – depicts the 14 conflicts in which Anderson County were involved from the American Revolution to current conflicts
• Trade Street – a reflection of the historic business culture throughout the county
• Turbines and Textiles – shows the importance of electricity and textiles to Anderson County, as well as the growth of mass production.
Routes of History USHC- 4.2, USHC- 4.3, USHC– 4.4, USHC 6.1
In the Routes of History exhibit, students will see many modes of transportation in Anderson County. Featuring the Anderson Airport, the Anderson Trolley System, the Ferry, the Automobile, and the Railroad.

HOMESCHOOLING ASSOCIATIONS
ACM PRESCHOOLERS

HOMESCHOOLING ASSOCIATIONS

The Anderson County Museum is excited to offer field trips for homeschooling groups of various ages. There are grades in which social studies standards are very similar and can be combined to provide an enriching experience for students in different grade levels.

ACM PRESCHOOLERS

Preschool Hour is designed for preschool age children two to five-years-old and their mom/dad/caregiver. The Museum’s history and exhibits provide a fun and exciting starting point for educational activities that will enhance early learning, build socialization skills, and increase confidence and independence.