The Hudson River – Journey into Inquiry

1. The Hudson River – Journey into Inquiry Jill Leinung, Library Media Specialist Linda Kaminski, Gr. 1 Green Meadow Elementary School Castleton, New York

2. The journey begins… with an idea,

3. curriculum, • My Community & Local Region • Different events, people, problems and ideas make up my community’s history. • Monuments and important places are located in my neighborhood. • Communities are connected economically and geographically. • People exchange elements of their cultures.

4. student interest,

5. and colleague(s) to collaborate with on the adventure.

6. Start with a question… * What do we want our students’ inquiring minds “look like” and what will they be able to do at the end of the journey? - critical thinkers & problem solvers - higher level questioners

7. Our students will be able to: • Identify what they already know • Identify questions beginning with 5 Ws and moving beyond • Understand the use of a variety of sources to find answers • Choose and use resources independently • Record new learning • Collaborate and work cooperatively • Real world connections • Continue to question beyond the project

8. Collect a variety of resources including: • Books • Maps • Posters, photographs • On-line sources • Presenters (school visits, field trips, etc.) • Outside sources (Albany Visitors Center, Albany Institute of History and Art, Teaching the Hudson Valley Summer Workshops, C-Most, etc.)

9. River of Dreams The Story of the Hudson Riverby Hudson Talbott

10. Bird, Butterfly, Eelby James Prosek

11. Snapshots of our Hudson River Journey Introduce Hudson River: • Hudson River Power Point • New York State map (including satellite view, i.e. Google Earth) • Hudson River (shower curtain – hands on)

12. The Story of the Hudson River

13. Trading with the Mahicans

14. Henry Hudson & the Hudson River • New Learning Facts • If I Were on the Half Moon Inquiry Questions • Half Moon in a Bottle

15. Exploring the Hudson • Hands on exploration: Henry Hudson, Wildlife along the Hudson River • Robert Juet’s Journal – Places the Half Moon anchored • Trading with the Mahicans

16. Monarch Inquiry Research

17. Mahicans & Grinding Corn

18. Three Sister Planting

19. Beaver Poster Reading

20. Reading Posters and Recording in Student Fact Files

21. Highlighting Resources for Beaver Fact Finding

22. Beaver Model & Fact Flip Books

23. St. Nicholas Day & the Dutch • Baker’s Dozen , shoes & cookies • Night Before Christmas

24. Guided Student Questions

25. Hudson River Bird Studies

26. Winter Bird Feeding

27. Hudson River WildlifeIndependent Inquiry Investigations

28. Inquiry Learning Binders and Mystery Seeds

29. Lined Sea Horse

30. Hudson River Experience • Where we plan on going from here… • C-Most • Norrie Point • Columbia County Water and Soil Conservancy

31. As with all journeys…there are always surprises so… • Be ready for the “twists and turns” • Embrace the student generated surprises – they usually turn out to be the best learning experiences for you, too! • Be flexible • Keep your eyes open for new ideas, resources to add to the project • Take a camera to record the “sights” • Have fun!