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2007 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, October 18, 2007
8:00—5:00 Registration - The Farmers’ Museum
9:00—12:00 Workshop Sessions - Various Locations
12:15—1:15 Lunch - Louis C. Jones Center
1:30—2:45 Presentation Sessions - Various Locations
3:00—4:15 Presentation Session - Various Locations
5:00—6:30 Harvest Dinner - Louis C. Jones Center
7:00—8:30 Candlelight Ghost Tour - Village of Cooperstown
Friday, October 19, 2007
8:00—12:00 Registration - The Farmers’ Museum
9:00—10:15 Presentation Sessions - Various Locations
10:30—11:45 Presentation Sessions - Various Locations
12:00—1:00 Lunch - Louis C. Jones Center
1:15—2:30 Presentation Sessions - Various Locations
2007 WORKSHOP AND PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS
Thursday Workshops: 9:00 am– 12:00 pm
Thursday Presentations: 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Thursday Presentations: 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Friday Presentations: 9:00 am – 10:15 am
Friday Presentations: 10:30 am – 11:45 am
Friday Presentations: 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
Thursday Workshops: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
American Memory Made Easy: Navigating the Online Database with Ease
The Library of Congress’s online database, American Memory, is a goldmine of primary source documents related to American history. However, the number of available items can make navigating the site overwhelming. Join American Memory faculty member Gretchen Sorin as she trains teachers how to search the site, find fully developed lesson plans, and create facsimiles of documents for classroom use. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.
~ Gretchen Sorin, Director and Professor of Museum Studies, Cooperstown Graduate Program
Level: All / Location: Cooperstown Graduate Program
Harvest of History: An Introduction to the Website
This session will introduce teachers to The Farmers’ Museum’s wildly popular online education resource, Harvest of History. Participants will learn how to navigate the website and find primary source material for use in the classroom. An overview of the interdisciplinary 4th-grade curriculum about agriculture in New York State will include a hands-on activity.
~ Hannah Weisman and Catherine Gilbert, Harvest of History Content Developers, The Farmers’ Museum
Level: E / Location: Louis C. Jones Center
Open Hearth Cooking
Step back into 19th century farm life by learning how to cook over an open fire. Participants will use period recipes, techniques, and cooking utensils typical of an early 19th century meal.
~Gwen Miner, Supervisor of Domestic Arts, The Farmers’ Museum
Level: All / Location: Farmers’ Lippitt Farmstead
National History Day: Research at the Middle School Level
National History Day is a year-long educational program that encourages students to research a historical topic, analyze their findings, and create a final project that showcases their work. This session provides an introduction to the program and how its criteria can engage middle school students in productive research. Peter Thomas and Shaunna Reinisch will share lessons and best practices developed by colleagues, NYS History Day staff, and themselves.
~ Peter Thomas, Teacher, Shenendehowa Central School District & Shaunna Reinisch, Teacher, South Colonie Central School District
Level: M/H / Location: Fenimore Study Storage
Using the Empire State Carousel for Interdisciplinary Teaching
Gerry Holzman provides a detailed overview and tour of the Empire State Carousel, which was created between 1984 and 2003 by over 1,000 volunteer carvers, quilters, painters and woodworkers from across New York State. The carousel offers a comprehensive survey of New York State’s cultural history and provides excellent examples of contemporary folk art. After an enjoyable ride, Gerry will lead a brainstorming session on how to use the carousel in interdisciplinary teaching. Pre-registration required, as space is limited.
~ Gerry Holzman, Woodcarver, Empire State Carousel Association
Level: All / Location: Empire State Carousel
Thursday Presentations: 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm
The Empire State Carousel as New York State History
The Empire State Carousel provides a distinctly "New York" experience. In this hands-on workshop, teachers learn how to use the Carousel to teach New York State history, geography, art and culture. Participants will receive a copy of The Empire State Carousel as New York State History curriculum . And yes, carousel rides are included!
~ John Buchinger, Associate Director of Education & Carolyn Lane, Graduate Fellow, Cooperstown Graduate Program
Level: E / Location: Louis C. Jones Center
A Hands-on Approach to the American Revolution
Wallkill Central School District teachers and October Conference attendee favorites Joe Zupan, Gwen Feldt and Karen Psilopoulos share tried-and-true hands-on activities that enhance a unit on the American Revolution.
~ Gwen Feldt, Karen Psilopoulos, and Joe Zupan, Wallkill Central School
Level: E / Location: Farmers’ Hands-on History
Liberty and Washington: Star Books and Early American Symbols
Using the Fenimore Museum’s folk art painting Liberty and Washington as an inspiration, learn how a 4th grade Government unit can be integrated with patriotic and symbols of early America. This hands-on workshop will present educational aspects of the unit as well as instruction on how to make a star book with the children.
~ Laura Nicholls, Art Educator, Nanuet Public Schools
Level: E / Location: Fenimore Clark Alcove
Working with Visual Images in the Classroom: Native American Stereotypes as Teaching Tools
In the 19th and 20th centuries, American culture often portrayed Native Americans in culturally insensitive ways. This session provides a framework for using visual documents to help tell this important, but often difficult, story. The session will draw upon NYSHA’s expansive collection of Native American advertising as a tool to interpret non-verbal and culturally significant information in the classroom.
~ Kate Betz, Manager of Public Programs, New York State Historical Association and The Farmers’ Museum
Level: H / Location: White House Conf. Rm.
Soldiering into History: Using Personal Stories of Soldiers to Make History Come Alive
Illustrated by examples from her six soldiering titles, author Susan Provost Beller’s session will demonstrate how the compelling letters and diaries of soldiers can be used in conjunction with artifacts to bring their life stories into focus for students. Susan will talk about developing personas as a technique for using letters and diaries from the past.
~ Susan Provost Beller, Author
Level: All / Location: Fenimore Study Storage
Railroad, Steamboat, River and Canal (and Turnpikes)
This interdisciplinary session looks at the development of New York’s transportation network over time. Teacher David Veeder will provide a statewide overview, as well as many local angles that involve students and capture their interest. Social studies, science, math, and English applications are provided for all grade levels, as well as several potential field trip sites.
~ David Veeder, Teacher, Christ the King School, Albany
Level: All / Location: Library Conf. Room
Unchained Freedom: Enslavement and Manumission in NYS as Reflected in Albany County
New York State’s participation in the institution of slavery has had a significant formative influence on the history of our communities and our state. Take a look at excerpts from historic documents that reveal details of this history as reflected in Albany County and that have been integrated into adaptable lesson plans that contain interdisciplinary student activities.
~ Mary Liz Stewart, Educator, Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District
Level: E/M / Location: Fenimore Auditorium
Thursday Presentations: 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Art Meets Nature: Interdisciplinary Tools from the Albany Institute of History and Art
The Albany Institute’s education staff demonstrates ways in which the arts, social studies, English language arts and sciences can be combined to engage students and help teachers meet state learning standards. The program will focus on the John Boyd Thacher State Park site and two museum exhibitions: Indian Ladder: A Lyric Journey Photographs by John Yang, and The Helderberg Escarpment: A History of Tourism and Science. Educators of all grade levels are welcome to participate in discussions using objects from the exhibitions.
~ Erika Sanger, Director of Education & Tracy Grosner, School & Teacher Program Coordinator, Albany Institute of History & Art
Level: All / Location: Fenimore Study Storage
Celebrate the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial with Primary Source Documents
Join NYS Social Studies Associate JoAnn Larson and NYSHA’s Associate Director of Education John Buchinger as they share teaching materials, objects, and documents that help educators and students commemorate three of New York State’s most important anniversaries: the 400th anniversary of Hudson and Champlain's voyages along the river and lake that bear their names, and the 200th anniversary of Fulton's successful steamboat voyage and establishment of steam commerce on the Hudson River.
~ JoAnn Larson, Social Studies Education Association, New York State Education Department & John Buchinger, Associate Director of Education, New York State Historical Association
Level: All / Location: Louis C. Jones Center
Bells and Whistles in the Classroom
A bored student learns little. This hands-on workshop introduces classroom activities that engage the learner, such as Hollywood Squares, Q&A circles, Jeopardy, and the importance of "Mumball" in the life of an 8th grader.
~ Kim Sprenger, Teacher, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District
Level: M / Location: Fenimore Clark Alcove
The Development of the African American Infrastructure and Its Role in the Anti-Slavery Movement
This presentation will provide a timeline of important events in the Freedom Journey and provide for a discussion regarding the systematic involvement of black people in gaining the freedom for 4 million enslaved kindred.
~ Harry Bradshaw Matthews, Associate Dean & President of the United Colored Troops Institute, Hartwick College
Level: All / Location: Fenimore Auditorium
Jefferson and Madison on Tour in New York, Spring 1791
In 1791 Thomas Jefferson and James Madison journeyed to the northern lakes of New York. While the journey was an unofficial visit, both men kept extensive journals of their travels. Join teacher Patricia Munsey as she demonstrates how these primary source documents can teach students about two main social studies themes: economics and geography.
~ Patricia Munsey, Teacher, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central Schools
Level: M / Location: Farmers’ Hands-on History
Making 4th Grade Social Studies Fun & Easy
Explore several different ways to present social studies to elementary students in a fun engaging way. Topics covered include 4th grade curriculum maps (topics, activities, assessments, and vocabulary), the Erie Canal online, and the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson.
~ Barbara Cox, Teacher, Bethlehem Central Schools
Level: E / Location: White House Conf. Rm.
Friday Presentations: 9:00 am – 10:15 am
Don't Give Up the Ship: Teaching the War of 1812
With 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 forthcoming, now is the time to evaluate our teaching of this war. Come prepared to learn about the war, its aftermath, and the mythology that has grown around it. Participants will learn current research, receive lesson plan ideas, living history experiences, primary sources, and other ways to incorporate the war into the classroom correlated to the NYS core curriculum.
~ Tim Potts, Teacher, Monticello Central School District
Level: All / Location: Fenimore Study Storage
The Erie Canal and its Impact on the Haudenosaunee, New Yorkers and Immigrants
This integrated unit includes reading, writing, and social studies lessons and activities. The session begins with the land dispossession of the Haudenosaunee, and proceeds with the various hands-on activities like weighing cargo and figuring tolls. Participants will perform a Reader’s Theater, make a stump puller, read student created journals, and play two review games.
~ Janet Conners, Teacher, LaFayette Central School District
Level: E / Location: Fenimore Auditorium
Geocaching: An Historical Treasure Hunt
This new hobby is taking the world by storm and can be used to powerfully reach the unique history of any area in the world. You will use a GPS unit to find hidden treasures strategically placed throughout the grounds of The Farmers' Museum, and witness how it provides a hands-on integration of history, geography, and math.
~ Rachelle Francis, Linda Oesterle, Patricia Burakowski, Orchard Park Central School District
Level: All / Location: Louis C. Jones Center
Making History Fit: Online Customization for Your Classroom
One-size-fits-all has never been an effective motto when it comes to education. Today the NYS Archives offers educators online interdisciplinary resources that allow them to tailor how they use historical records in their classrooms. Participants will be introduced to the Archives online resources that correlate with topics and themes in the NYS Learning Standards. Participants will also be introduced to the Archives’ innovative “build your own” learning activity option that allows the user to create and print customized learning activities.
~ Julie Daniels, Coordinator of Educational Programs, NYS Archives & Kristi Fragnoli, Professor of Education, College of St. Rose
Level: E / Location: Library Conf. Room
Learning from Lyrics
Join teacher John Chase as he shares a standards-based media literacy and arts integration curriculum that involved the use of popular song lyrics to promote critical thinking and writing skills.
~ John Chase, Teacher, Edmeston Central School District
Level: M/H / Location: White House Conf. Rm
Teaching with Technology: Distance Learning in the Classroom
Kevin Gray, School Programs Coordinator at the Fenimore Art Museum, provides a brief overview of Distance Learning and how it can be used in the classroom to enhance and reinforce learning standards. Examples of programs offered by the Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers' Museum will be demonstrated.
~ Kevin Gray, School Programs Coordinator, Fenimore Art Museum
Level: All / Location: Fenimore Clark Alcove
Friday Presentations: 10:30 am – 11:45 am
Autobiography as Primary Source in U.S. History Survey
Autobiographies can help students see broader themes in individuals' lives and give them experience analyzing primary sources. See how teachers at Emma Willard School have used Harriet Jacobs' Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl and Anne Moody's Growing up in Mississippi to explore themes of race, gender, and coming-of-age during antebellum slavery and the Civil Rights movement.
~ Robert Naeher, History and Social Studies Chair, Emma Willard School
Level: M/H / Location: Farmers’ Hands-on History
Designing a Webquest
Webquests are inquiry-oriented internet-based lessons that help students develop strong internet and critical thinking skills. In this session, participants will receive an overview of research that supports the use of webquests, basic instruction on webquest development, and internet resources to assist in webquest design.
~ Peter Thomas, Teacher, Shenendehowa Central School District
Level: All / Location: White House Conf. Rm.
Learner Centered Research through National History Day
National History Day motivates students to grow their research skills through participation in competitions at the local, state and national level. Teachers Martha Lawson and Micah Shippee will share their experiences and provide their ideas for including National History Day in a school year already jam-packed with required curriculum.
~ Martha Lawson and Micah Shippee, Liverpool Central School District
Level: M/H / Location: Fenimore Clark Alcove
Quilt Signals of the Underground Railroad
Many 19th Century quilting patterns have their roots in American and African tradition. In this hands on workshop, learn how a 7th Grade Civil War unit was enhanced using elements of traditional quilt-making practices and the visual symbolic elements that they might have represented.
~ Laura Nicholls, Art Educator, Nanuet Public Schools
Level: M / Location: Fenimore Study Storage
Social Customs of the 18th Century
Teachers Michelle Brockner and Linda Schaefer illustrate how games and dance were part of 18th century culture in this fun, interactive, and educational session. Participants will learn and play 18th century colonial games, sing slavery songs, and dance an 18th century dance.
~ Michelle Brockner & Linda Schaefer, Fifth Grade Teachers, Sullivan West Central School
Level: E/M / Location: Louis C. Jones Center
State Education Department Curriculum and Assessment Update
Gary Warren, Associate in Social Studies for the State Education Department, will provide updated information on the Department's current curriculum projects and state level social studies assessments. This is a general session for all K-12 teachers and administrators. There will be time for questions both during and at the end of the session.
~ Gary Warren, Social Studies & Testing Associate
Level: All / Location: Fenimore Auditorium
Teaching Local History and Preparing for DBQs with Local Journals
Retired teacher Jim Ford features his groundbreaking compilations of Madison County primary source material in this session about teaching local history in the classroom. Learn techniques that can be applied in any community and will heighten history interest levels in students of all ages. Jim will also share his tips on using local history documents for document-based questions preparation in the 8th grade curriculum.
~ Jim Ford, Retired Teacher and Author
Level: All / Location: Library Conf. Room
Friday Presentations: 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
The Farmers’ Museum Tour
Join this guided tour of The Farmers’ Museum – including the Main Barn, Country Fair, and Village Crossroads – led by The Farmers’ Museum education staff.
~ Museum Teacher, The Farmers’ Museum
Level: All / Location: Farmers’ Admission Desk
Fenimore Art Museum Tour
Join this guided tour of the Fenimore Art Museum – including the Thaw Collection, our folk art and genre painting galleries, and our temporary exhibitions led by the Curator of Exhibitions.
~ Michelle Murdock, Curator of Exhibitions, Fenimore Art Museum
Level: All / Location: Fenimore Art Museum
Oral History through Storytelling: Baba’s Trunk
Professional storyteller Lonna Pierce makes history come alive in this one-woman trunk show about immigration. Telling her own grandmother’s story about Ellis Island and settlement in Binghamton, Lonna helps students and teachers collect their own family stories and discover startling revelations through history.
~Lonna McKeon Pierce, Professional Storyteller and Actress
Level: All / Location: Farmers’ Hands-on-History
Upstate New York American History Education Alliance TAH Grant Update
Capital region Teaching American History grant teachers Susan Clark, Susan Crawford, and Kathy Velasco will share lesson plans and demonstrate activities developed during the project's first year. They will also model a group activity presented as a Best Practice model from the School of Education at Union College. For more information on the grant project, visit http://www.unyahea.org/
~ Susan Clark, Susan Crawford, & Kathy Velasco
Level: M / Location: Louis C. Jones Center
Native American Tour and Program Preview
Join Sarah Loveland, Lead Museum Teacher, as she takes participants to the Seneca Log House and the Mohawk Bark house on the museum campus. Sarah will also preview new school programs offered at the sites this school year. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited!
~ Sarah Loveland, Lead Museum Teacher, The Farmers’ Museum
Level: All / Location: Fenimore Art Museum
Walk on the Wild Side: Empire State Carousel as Folk Art
Use the various murals, relief carvings, and animals of The Empire State Carousel to take a ride through New York State history. This session will examine the important people, places and species depicted that make New York special, and reflect on, interpret and evaluate the carousel as folk art and its cultural and historic dimensions. Attendees will create their own clay animal to take home! Pre-registration required, as space is limited.
~ Mary Margaret Kuhn, Seasonal Supervisor of the Empire State Carousel, The Farmers’ Museum
Level: All / Location: Empire State Carousel
