Clearwater: the Floating Classroom

Clearwater:Hudson River Rising is a web resource that provides lesson plans for fifth grade though middle school teachers in geography, science, and history. Aesthetic connections can be linked through music by Peter Seger and painters of the Hudson River school. Lesson plans also include hands-on activities and assessments. Additionally, there is a "floating classroom" that teachers can sign up to bring their students aboard and bring the Hudson River alive. These lessons will meet the curriculum standards as well as bringing an awareness of the role and importance of the Husdson River in our lives. Teachers can use the Hudson River as a focal point to promote environmental and ecological awareness, as well as remind their students of their own connection to the River. The link via WNET 13 has video clips of the Clearwater.

Urban Assembly New York Harbor School

Taking Lessons, and Confidence, From the Water

By SARA RIMER

Published: New York Time, June 26, 2008

This article is about a very unusual New York City school The mission of the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, is to raise academic achievement by connecting students with the harbor that surrounds the city. The school’s founders say that by learning about the vast estuary — its history, its fish, its ecology — and by developing the skills to navigate it they will develop necessary skills as well as confidence.

Discover River Creatures at Kowawese

The Museum of the Hudson Highlands has nature and educational programs about the science, natural history, and the environment of the Hudson Highlands. They also have a series of interactive nature programs on Saturdays. Call 845-534-5506 , ext 204 for information.

DEC: Hudson River Estuary Program

The Department of Environmental Conservation has a Hudson River Estuary Program: Education and Interpretation--Investigating in the Hudson's Future. It is a resource for educators on using the Hudson River as a source of investigation for building curriculum. They have ideas and lesson plans for K-12 teachers use the river as a focus of inquiry. They will work directly with teachers by providing workshops, presentations, and classroom programs. Estuary staff will go into the classroom to help teachers design hands-on age appropriate activities and lessons. For information you can call 845-256-3016 or fax 845 255 3649.