How do rivers connect us? How are we connected to rivers? On this quadricentennial of Henry Hudson's first exploration of the Hudson River, we explore the links between geography, culture, history, and science through literature and experience.
"For over twenty years, Hudson River Cruises has provided passengers a first hand view of the historic shoreline from the decks of the Rip Van Winkle. From our location in the heart of theHudson River Valleyin Kingston NY, Hudson River cruises provide a delightfully unique opportunity to explore this scenic shoreline."
The museum's galleries display traveling exhibitions, as well as works by regional artists and from the museum's collection of Hudson River painters. The Andrus Planetarium offers shows about the heavens, while the new Hudson Riverama explores the geology, ecology, wildlife, and history along the 314-mile length of the Hudson. It features a 31-foot-long 3-D topographical map of the river, audiovisual displays, aquariums filled with river denizens, and many hands-on activities.
In this lesson students learn about the original ecology of Manhattan, or “Mannahatta” as it was known to the native Lenape Indians. After watching a video that describes the diverse ecosystem of the island in 1609, the time of Henry Hudson's historic expedition, students create a mural depicting life in Mannahatta prior to Hudson's arrival. As an assessment, students write two journal entries: one from the point of view of a crew member on Henry Hudson's ship, and the other describing what they would see on a visit to Manhattan today.
"Follow the journey of a pocket-sized stone owl, carved by a Lenape Indian boy in 1609, through four centuries as it travels along the Hudson River in New York State. In each exciting chapter, the stone owl is discovered by a new owner, a boy or girl to whom the owl brings good luck or courage in the thrilling adventures that unfold."
Includes 2+ dozen novels with photos of covers and synopses at 3-4th grade reading level,novels at 5-6th grade reading level, picture books, and an Aaron Shepard tale.
Nineteenth-century American pioneer life was introduced to thousands of young readers by Laura Ingalls Wilder's belovedLittle Housebooks. With The Birchbark House, award-winning author Louise Erdrich's first novel for young readers, this same slice of history is seen through the eyes of the spirited, 7-year-old Ojibwa girl Omakayas, or Little Frog, so named because her first step was a hop. The sole survivor of a smallpox epidemic on Spirit Island, Omakayas, then only a baby girl, was rescued by a fearless woman named Tallow and welcomed into an Ojibwa family on Lake Superior's Madeline Island, the Island of the Golden-Breasted Woodpecker. We follow Omakayas and her adopted family through a cycle of four seasons in 1847, including the winter, when a historically documented outbreak of smallpox overtook the island. Readers will be riveted by the daily life of this Native American family, in which tanning moose hides, picking berries, and scaring crows from the cornfield are as commonplace as encounters with bear cubs and fireside ghost stories. Erdrich--a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwa--spoke to Ojibwa elders about the spirit and significance of Madeline Island, read letters from travelers, and even spent time with her own children on the island, observing their reactions to woods, stones, crayfish, bear, and deer. The author's softly hewn pencil drawings infuse life and authenticity to her poetic, exquisitely wrought narrative. Omakayas is an intense, strong, likable character to whom young readers will fully relate--from her mixed emotions about her siblings, to her discovery of her unique talents, to her devotion to her pet crow Andeg, to her budding understanding of death, life, and her role in the natural world. We look forward to reading more about this brave, intuitive girl--and wholeheartedly welcome Erdrich's future series to the canon of children's classics.
Fourteen-year-old Samuel Russell hates being called a coward because he is a Quaker, and he vows to defend his family if Loyalists or Indians try to harm them. Stands Straight, an Abenaki boy whose mother and brother were murdered by white men, has joined his uncle's scouting party, though he questions why Indians should fight in the white man's war. In alternating narratives, the two boys tell this quietly compelling story, which is based on an actual incident that took place in 1777, just before the Battle of Saratoga. As Samuel's family sits in the meeting with the rest of the Quaker congregation, the Indian scouting party to which Stands Straight belongs surrounds the cabin. Stands Straight follows his uncle Sees-the-Wind inside, and after being assured that there are no weapons in the cabin, the Abenakis leave their bows and arrows outside and sit with the Quakers in silence. At the end of the meeting, the Quakers and the Indians share the handshake of peace, and Sees-the-Wind places an arrow over the cabin's door to show the Abenakis that the Quakers are people of peace. Simple black-and-white drawings reflect the dignified tone of the story, which explores the complexities of the Indian-white relationship, focusing on two lesser-known groups who were involved in the conflict. An author's note provides thorough historical background about the incident, as well as a brief history of the Quakers and the Abenakis.
Ohkwa'ri is hiding in a shaded area when he overhears the misguided Grabber's intentions to start a war with the neighboring Anen:taks tribe. Although the boy is barely 11 winters old, he realizes something must be done to stop his fellow tribesman's plans. Set in a longhouse village in upstate New York, Bruchac's story establishes a sense of place in the first chapter: Ohkwa'ri works to become a respected member of his tribe, while Grabber and his cohorts, Greasy Hair, Falls a Lot, and Eats Like a Bear, attempt to get even with him. Despite the predictability of the plot, young readers will enjoy the glimpses of Native American culture. The importance of respect and honor are clearly outlined through Ohkwa'ri's feelings toward his elders such as his grandmother and his uncle. On his own, the earnest young hero builds and sleeps in his own lodge, illustrating independence and self-sufficiency. Other aspects of Native life such as name giving, government, and family relations are outlined.
passengers a first hand view of the historic shoreline from the decks of the Rip Van Winkle. From our location in the heart of the
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