SHARP in the Field
Opportunities for Discovery and Adventure
SHARP Literacy is thrilled to partner with museums and organizations around Milwaukee and Waukesha County to provide a more diverse educational experience for students. Our educational tours program started with all SHARP students taking a docent-led tour at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Educational Tours
Milwaukee Area
Milwaukee Art Museum or Urban Ecology Center: K4 – Science – Living Things
The K4 tour is about living things.
Lynden Sculpture Garden: K5 – Science – Plants
In Milwaukee schools, the K5 curriculum focuses around a plant-based theme. The tour consists of two 45-minute activities: one related to the environment and the other a hands-on art activity.
Museum of Wisconsin Art: 1st Grade – Science – Pollinators
This tour consists of students viewing up to a dozen works of art while docents integrate artifacts and appropriate vocabulary words. Docents include conversation topics, questions and flashcards that complement what the children are currently studying. Children are also able to participate in an art project directly aligned with A Busy Bee: The Story of Bella the Honey Bee.
Mitchell Park Domes: 1st Grade – Science – Growing Things
First grade students engage in two bee-related hands-on activities in the Show Dome. In the other two domes, students use worksheets to make more discoveries and connections through drawing plants that need pollinators.
Discovery World: 2nd Grade – Science – Fresh Water and the Great Lakes
Students get to see the world’s largest model of the Great Lakes, explore Reiman Aquarium, and even touch a live lake sturgeon. They learn about weather and the water cycle, freshwater and saltwater fish, and invasive species. They also recreate the life cycle of a salmon.
Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful or Will’s Roadside Farm and Market: 3rd Grade – Science – Urban Agriculture
Recycling is an easy way to have a huge impact on the environment. Ever wonder what is really recyclable or where it all goes? SHARP students learn about the recycling industry and its impact on our local economy and environment. Will’s Roadside Farm allows students to see urban agriculture in action through an informative tour of the greenhouse, aquaponics system and chicken coop.
Museum of Wisconsin Art: 4th Grade – Social Studies – Wisconsin
Milwaukee students participate in a 90-minute experiential learning opportunity at Museum of Wisconsin Art. This includes a tour focusing on 12-15 works in the collection by Wisconsin artists.
Milwaukee institute of Art and Design: 4th Grade – SHARPcoders
Fourth grade students who participate in the 16-week coding program tour MIAD’s openlab, a place where students learn how to use technology to support their creative practice.
Milwaukee Art Museum: 5th Grade – Social Studies – American Stories
Milwaukee Art Museum tours have been a part of the SHARP curriculum since its inception in 1996. The 5th grade curriculum focuses on storytelling in art.
Waukesha Area
EB Shurts Environmental Education Center: K4 – Science – Living Things
At EB Shurts Environmental Center, K4 students build upon their understanding of living things.
Prairie Springs Environmental Education Center: K5 – Science – Plants
At Prairie Springs, K5 students learn about plants. They participate in experiential learning opportunities, designed and facilitated by Carroll University Early Childhood Education students.
EB Shurts Environmental Education Center: 1st Grade – Science – Pollinators
At EB Shurts Environmental Center, first grade students engage in play-based learning about Wisconsin pollinators.
Retzer Nature Center: 2nd Grade – Science – Fresh Water and the Great Lakes
At Retzer Nature Center second grade students learn about the Great Lakes, water cycle, watersheds, and amphibians and reptiles.
Prairie Springs Environmental Education Center: 2nd Grade – Science – Pollinators
At Prairie Springs Environmental Education Center, second grade students view a bee hive, take a nature walk, and gain understanding related to pollination and thriving plant ecosystems.
Retzer Nature Center or Intergenerational Heritage Fair: 3rd Grade – Science – Urban Agriculture
Third grade sstudents visit Retzer Nature Center to participate in Waukesha County’s recycling program’s experiential learning opportunity related to vermicomposting. Intergenerational Heritage Fair gives third grade students the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Waukesha County.
Museum of Wisconsin Art: 4th Grade – Social Studies – Wisconsin
Waukesha students participate in a 90-minute experiential learning opportunity at Museum of Wisconsin Art. This includes a tour focusing on 12-15 works in the collection by Wisconsin artists.
QUAD/Graphics: 4th Grade – SHARPcoders
Fourth grade students tour QUAD/Graphics to see firsthand how a printing company uses technology and graphic design to serve the needs of the client.
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum: 5th Grade – Social Studies – American History
Fifth grade students from Waukesha County experience local stories within the greater context of American History.
Summer Learning Gain Initiative (SLGI) and After School Learning Initiative (ASLI)
These programs help educate and nurture students outside our core program and encourage them to become responsible and competent citizens of the community.
SLGI addresses the prevention of the summer slide – a reality for too many urban students.
ASLI provides structured programs for students to achieve academic success, build character and develop teamwork, all in a safe, fun environment.
Our partners include Browning Elementary School and Thurston Woods Elementary School.
Additional Partnerships
- Reading With the Golden Eagles is a program in which Marquette University’s men’s basketball team reads to students once a month.
- Reading with the Carroll Pioneers is a program in which Carroll University’s men’s basketball team reads to Waukesha students.
- The Read To Me Intergenerational Program includes partnerships between SHARP Literacy and the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation and also a partnership with Shorehaven Assisted Living Community in Oconomowoc. In both programs,elementary school students read with seniors, both at their schools and at the senior living communities. They also cooperate in creating large mural-based art projects.