Teachers can now bring the Historic Ephrata Cloister into their classroom with a series of new virtual visits to the museum. The set of interactive lessons, called Obed's Classroom, is named for Brother Obed, the first teacher in Ephrata, who opened a school in the 1740s. These virtual visits feature four areas of the traditional field trip: the life of early residents, the printing of the "Martyrs' Mirror," the Colonial doctor, and the one-room schoolhouse. Each of the four lessons lasts about 30 minutes. Teachers can schedule the four lessons on the same day or divide the visits between days.

The lessons in Obed's Classroom combine live narration, photographs, object show and tell, and activities for students to do on their side of the computer screen. The lessons can accommodate 30 students at a time. A packet of essential questions, background information, and follow-up materials accompanies each lesson. Teachers are required to attend a brief pre-conference visit with the museum educator prior to the first live classroom visit to review the technology and the classroom procedures. There is a fee for the lesson series, with a discount for schools with more than one classroom using the series.

All four lessons will be featured on a special Homeschool Day on Friday, April 16, and again on Friday, May 14. These activities are designed for homeschooling families.

Details about all of these school programs can be found by visiting http://www.ephratacloister.org and clicking on "School Programs" under "Education."

For more details, to discuss accommodations, and to arrange to bring this virtual experience to a classroom, contact museum educator Michael Showalter at mishowalte@pa.gov or call 717-733-6600 and leave a message.

Historic Ephrata Cloister is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Assistance for the educational programs is provided by the nonprofit Ephrata Cloister Associates, an organization dedicated to the support of this National Historic Landmark.