Teaching The Hudson Valley

Thanks for a great three days!

on July 30, 2010

I just spent three days last week with teachers, museum educators, writers, historians, and scientists from around the Hudson Valley -- a new experience for me, a relatively recent graduate of the University of Kansas.

As THV's Student Conservation Associate, I helped organize the 2010 summer institute, "Reading, Writing, and Teaching the Hudson Valley," and was a little nervous about what it would be like.

I think everyone felt inspired hearing David Sobel speak Tuesday morning. He described schools partnering with people in their communities to do in-depth projects.

Then, everyone got to experience some place-based education for themselves, going on tours, reading poetry outside, making movies, and seeing performances and school programs from parks and museums.

Conference rooms were all a-buzz with discussion about hands-on activities being done in schools, at museums, in parks, and on playgrounds. Participants moved in and out talking, practicing, reflecting. All with the goal of helping kids learn and encouraging them to care about the environment and their communities.

Wednesday we dispersed to five different sites. Each provided an in-depth look at ways to enhance learning using authentic, local resources.

It was great to come back to Hyde Park on Thursday, hear what everyone took away from their visits, and take part in more workshops.

Learn about the places we visited, and check back soon for personal reflections from participants! In the upcoming days, we will also post more stories and pictures from the institute, as well as Power Points and other materials from workshop leaders.

You can also find lots of ideas for teaching about the Hudson Valley here, in the lessons section of our website, and of course at all of the presenters' sites and organizations.

Thanks to everyone who attended and supported the institute! It was a great experience, and hopefully it will lead to many more!

[Photo of Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Westchester County, courtesy of Kerri Karvetski, CompanyK Media.]

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