Upper Elementary Resources

Tours for upper elementary students give them a chance to experience how historic artifacts reflect the humanity of the time in which they were created and the people who made them. Students are challenged to look at specific elements of the Old State Capitol and how these artifacts “speak” without words.

Here are some activities you can use with students before and after your tour:

The Humanities of Animals Worksheet - Write a brief essay inspired by a historical image. Then, write about the humanity of an object at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol.

Meet the Artifact - This worksheet helps students focus on careful observation of an artifact and what it can tell us about a different time and place. An activity focused on artifacts from the building can be requested.

The Meaning of Colors - Learn how colors make us feel.

Make your own "faux bois" (false wood) finish just like those found at the Old State Capitol.

The Scary Castle vs. The Friendly Castle - Compare and contrast exercise

Write your own autobiography inspired by the titles of former Governor Huey P. Long’s autobiography titles. Choose: Every Man A King and/or My First Days in the White House. Put the title at the top and then write your own version of your life story!

Upper Element Standards (Download)

This program is funded under a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.