Students explore the ecology and history of the Hudson River as a means of understanding the connections between humans and their environment. The activities are done in partnership with Hudson River Sloop Clearwater's Esopus Meadows Environmental Center.
Students gain an appreciation for the grandeur of the Hudson Valley landscape and the history of their region. They connect with the local landscape and create watercolor paintings in a local park. Students also learn how to depict scenery by painting a foreground, middle ground, and background. They use rough pencil sketches and various watercolor techniques to produce textural effects.
Students visit the Hudson River Maritime Museum and sail on the Sloop Clearwater. At the Museum they see artifacts and take part in an interactive program designed to teach about the development of transportation on the Hudson. On the Clearwater, students see the Hudson River from an exciting new angle; although most students have lived their lives within view of the Hudson, many have never been sailing on the river. The class leanrs about sailing, navigation, scientific observation, and more.
Students compare and contrast two very different cemeteries. The City of Kingston gave the African- American community one cemetery outside city boundaries; the other was created by professionals for scions of the Rondout community. The lesson encourages critical thought as students study history and observe differences between the cemeteries.
This lesson is designed to be used at Kingston Point Park after the lesson, "Hudson River School of Painting: Watercolor Scenes of the Hudson from Kingston Point Park". Students write their own poem and prose pieces based on their experiences at Kingston Point Park and compare historical descriptions of the park with its current state.
Students practice teamwork, communication, and brainstorming skills in this activity which challenges them to build a shelter according to specifications provided.
Students study sea shanties in the classroom and in conjunction with a Hudson River field trip. They use this information to compose and record their own sea shanties.