Connect2Texas
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza interprets the life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Now, through interactive, inquiry-based distance learning programs, you and your students can experience history through careful examination of the photographs, films and artifacts in the Museum's collection of nearly 60,000 items. These programs also connect students with "living history" speakers: eyewitnesses, law enforcement officials, journalists, physicians and others with direct memories of the Kennedy assassination. A selection of engaging programs provide opportunities for students to meet the Museum's curatorial, collections and education staff, prompting thoughtful discussions on U.S. history, world history, the Civil Rights Movement, oral history and the role of the historian! All programs are TEKS aligned, and meet national history standards.
All distance learning programs are designed to be 50 minutes in length. To request a program for your class or campus, please email education@jfk.org with details of your request: program, date, time and time zone where your school is located. The Museum’s Educator will respond via email to your request. Please note that sending the email does not represent a confirmed date and time for your distance learning program.
To see our scheduled programs go to Connect2Texas and select The Sixth Floor Museum from the program filter.
A Hero at Sea: JFK & PT-109
Grades: 5-12
Cost: $100
Length: 50 minutes
In the middle of World War II, on August 2, 1943, Lt. John F. Kennedy’s motor torpedo boat PT-109 was sunk in the Pacific Theater. Kennedy, clenching a life jacket strap between his teeth to tow one injured crew-member, swam for four hours to lead survivors to a nearby island. This dramatic tale of World War II heroism framed Senator Kennedy’s political narrative as he ran for president in 1960. We will discuss the impact that the PT-109 story had on Kennedy’s life and career, including a special screening of a 1960 campaign commercial hosted by actor Henry Fonda. We will also discuss how other presidential candidates used – or didn’t use – their veteran's status as part of their political narrative!
Ask an Expert!
Grades: 5-12
Cost: $100
Length: 30 minutes
The Sixth Floor Museum's staff will connect with your group to share the inner workings of the Museum. Learn about the former Texas School Book Depository building, the Museum's collection of nearly 60,000 items, the most unusual questions we receive, and so much more. This interactive session is a wonderful opportunity for researchers of the Kennedy assassination, Cold War, the 1960s or Dallas' Civil Rights movement to ask questions of the Museum's interpretive staff. Photos, live views of Dealey Plaza, films and other resources are shared as Museum staff answer all questions in this informal question and answer session.
Conflicting Evidence: 24 Hours After the Kennedy Assassination
Grades: 5-12
Cost: $100
Length: 50 minutes
How have the photographic, film, and physical evidence found in the first 24 hours after the Kennedy assassination been used to make conflicting arguments about what happened on November 22, 1963? Students will learn to examine primary source material as they become history detectives in this introduction to the events that took place in Dallas almost 50 years ago. Participants will examine the "the corner window" from which a rifle was observed that fateful day (and below which three shell casings were found by investigators). Staff from The Sixth Floor Museum will prompt careful analysis by asking probing questions about the evidence.
Connecting the Cold War and the Kennedy Assassination
Grades: 7-12
Cost: $100
Length: 50 minutes
What does the Cold War have to do with the Kennedy Assassination? Maybe everything! The Sixth Floor Museum’s staff will explore with participants what Americans were afraid of during the Cold War - The Soviet Union, Cuba and Castro, as well as how people responded to those fears across the USA, in the Soviet Union and right here in DFW. Through primary sources, including oral histories, learn about how the story of Lee Harvey Oswald is connected to the story of the Cold War and to the Assassination of President Kennedy, and discuss the ultimate outcomes of the Cold War.
CSI 1963: Voices from the Crime Scene Search Unit
Grades: 5-12
Cost: $100
Length: 50 minutes
From the Museum's collection of artifacts, photographs and films related to the crime scene investigation at The Texas School Book Depository, learn about crime scene techniques from the 1960's. See exactly what was in the crime scene investigative kit that belonged to Lt. Carl Day, head of the Dallas Police Crime Scene Search Unit in 1963! Students will also read firsthand accounts of the investigation from the Museum's Oral History Collection!
Get to Know The Sixth Floor Museum
Grades: Adults
Cost: FREE
Length: 30 minutes
Have questions about The Sixth Floor Museum's education programs and/or how distance learning can work in your classroom? Interested in having us do professional development via distance learning? Let's set up a time where we can answer all of your questions!
Living History
Grades: 5-12
Cost: $125
Length: 50 minutes
What was it like the day that President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963? What was it like to live in the 1960s? Meet journalists, eyewitnesses, police officers, physicians, Civil Rights activists and others with memories of that memorable day and beyond. Then, become an oral historian by asking your own questions of this special Living History guest. Every presentation incorporates films, video clips, photographs and other documents that make this time period come alive for audiences.
Requests for this program MUST BE MADE A MINIMUM OF 4 WEEKS IN ADVANCE of requested date; we must coordinate schedules with one of our Living History Guest Speakers and our Oral Historian.
Myths and Conspiracies in the Kennedy Assassination
Grades: 5-12
Cost: $100
Length: 50 minutes
Have you ever wondered what myths or conspiracies surrounding the Kennedy assassination have been debunked and how to determine whether they are possible, improbable or impossible? In this program, staff from The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza will discuss four of the most commonly mentioned myths and conspiracies. Participants will be given the opportunity to make their own decision about the myths and conspiracies based on the primary sources presented.
Resistance in Dallas: Civil Rights and Kennedy's Legacy
Grades: 5-12
Cost: $100
Length: 50 minutes
One of the longest and most prominent civil rights demonstrations in Dallas occurred at the downtown Piccadilly Cafeteria from May 30 to July 2, 1964. Despite the presence of peaceful protesters for 28 consecutive days, cafeteria management would not permit African-American customers to order food until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law. Through photographs, oral histories, speeches and documents from The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, find out how African American protesters used the assassination of President Kennedy as inspiration for their freedom struggle and how Dallas' desegregation efforts connected to the national effort to secure civil rights.
Content Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed are those of the contributing members of Connect2Texas and do not necessarily represent the views of the Education Service Center Region 11. While some content is deemed appropriate for various curriculum standards used by viewers nationwide, most content providers make an effort to tie their content to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Connect2Texas
Email: c2tx@esc11.net
Website: www.connect2texas.net
Location: Fort Worth, TX, United States
Phone: 817-740-7516
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Connect2Texas/178380812237957
Twitter: @connect2texas