What are Children’s Museum Teaching Kits?
In 1909, a group of Boston science teachers formed to exchange ideas and materials among city schools.  Nearly one hundred years later, the Boston Children’s Museum remains committed to the idea that direct experiences with real objects enhance learning.  BCM Teaching Kits bring our object-based learning philosophy straight to your classroom or after school program. Packed with activities, supplies, videos, photos, models and artifacts from the Museum's teaching collection, Kits are multimedia, interdisciplinary teaching units. They offer weekly lesson plans for social studies, art, math, language arts, health and science classes to foster cooperative, participatory learning and motivate a wide range of students.

Download and print your own KITALOG here.  Thanks for helping us go GREEN! 

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Is there a fee to use Teaching Kits?
It depends. There is no rental or delivery fee (Restrictions Apply) if you are a

• MA Public School classroom teacher
• Boston City non-profit after school/out of school program
• Contractual arrangement with Teaching Kits department
• Learn more

The rental and delivery fees for all other users vary by the kit.  BCM Teaching Kits come in a variety of models and range in price from $15 to $30 a week. The prices vary according to the depth of the content, complexity of the materials, popularity of the titles and general age and condition of the kit.  A separate price list is located on the ordering page.  

Is there a shipping fee?
Kits are available for pick up at the Museum for free or can be shipped anywhere in the continental U.S. for an additional fee of $30 outbound and return shipping included. 

How long can I use a Teaching Kit?
The recommended time for using a kit depends on your situation, whether you are using the kit daily or weekly, as a complete learning unit or to supplement your own curriculum; in-school or out-of-school.  Each kit description comes with an approximation of the maximum hours expected to use a kit completely.  Kits are designed to allow the user to pick and choose the activities and lessons that best suit their own teaching style and situation.  Most elementary classrooms use kits between 2-6 weeks.  Most after school programs use kits 4-8 weeks.  The Kits Staff are happy to help you decide the best fit for your situation.

Can I get a kit early to look at it?
You may reserve a kit for as long as it is available and as long as you can afford it.  For fee based users the fee begins when the kit arrives at your school/site.  You are charged for the length of your reservation.  Shipping time is covered by the Museum, not the user. 
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Are Teaching Kits appropriate for my grade/age level?
The Museum’s hands-on, object-based methodology is designed to engage beginning learners of all ages.  Each kit description gives a grade range for the lessons, activities and subject matter.  The lessons tend to be targeted for the middle range and may be adapted for upper or lower grade levels.  The range of lessons is designed to help teachers of students of varying abilities within a single group, such as: multi-age groups, ELL, SPED, OST.  The Kits Staff are happy to help you choose the best fit for your situation. 

How do Teaching Kits relate to my curriculum?
All Teaching Kits are aligned to the MA State Curriculum Frameworks.  In the back of the teacher’s guide of most of the kits, is a detailed list of how each lesson aligns to standards in literacy, math, science, social studies, etc.  Please contact the Kits Staff for more detailed information.

Tips

• If you have not received your kit as ordered please contact the Kits department immediately. 
• The contact person/kit user is responsible for the timely return of all items. 
• Users will be charged a replacement fee for missing items, such as maps, books, teacher’s guides, etc. (Consumable items exempt.)
• Please honor your reservation, other users have booked the kit after you and will be waiting for their turn. 

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Boston Children's Museum Teaching Kits Program thanks our generous supporters.