Jeff Bennett’s Acorn Circle Educational Programs

Program Description

(1) Title: People, Lakes & Land: NYS Geography

People, Lakes & Land is a program that examines the geographic features in New York State. Students will learn about the natural and man-made borders as they label the natural features of the state on a map. Work packets will be supplied for the students to keep for future reference throughout the school year.

Learning Standards: #3
Theme: GEO
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(2) Title: Wigwams & Longhouses: The Native People of NYS

Wigwams & Longhouses looks at the Native People came to New York. The program introduces the students to Algonquian and Iroquois that used the environment to develop a culture in New York prior to the European explorers. A work packet for the students to use and keep for future reference.

Learning Standards: #1,3,5
Themes: ID, MOV,GEO,GOV
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(3) Title: Exploration & Discovery: From Explorers to Settlement.

Exploration & Discovery examines the explorers that came to New York. The program introduces the students to selected explorers during the Age of Exploration with a focus on Hudson, Champlain and others that came to New York State. A work packet for the students to use and keep for future reference.

Learning Standards: 1,3,4
Themes: MOV,TCC,GEO,SOC,GOV
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(4) Title: Cookies, Crullers & Kills: Dutch Culture in NYS

Cookies, Crullers & Kills examines the Dutch Culture in New York during the 1600s. The focus will be on the founding of colony from its trading posts to the establishment of the Dutch communities of New Amsterdam (NYC), Beverwijck (Albany), Wiltwyck (Kingston) and Groot Vlachte (Schenectady).

Learning Standards: 1,3,4
Themes: MOV,TCC,GEO,GOV
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(5) Title: From Beaver Furs to Bakers: The Growth of Colonial NY

From Beaver Furs to Bakers teaches students about the growth of colonial New York and the diverse groups that arrived after the English took over in 1664. A work packet will be supplied to the students for future reference as they learn about the occupation of the various communities.

Learning Standards: 1, 3,4
Themes: MOV,TCC,GEO,SOC,GOV.
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(6) Title: Patriots in the Wilderness: The American Revolution in NYS

Patriots in the Wilderness examines the Patriots and Loyalists of New York and the major engagements (Battles at Saratoga, Long Island and Oriskany) during the American Revolution. A local focus can be integrated into the program upon request. The program uses primary source documents that will enhance the students’ learning experience. As part of the program, each student will sign their own copy of a document with a quill.

Learning Standards: 1,3,4
Themes: MOV,TCC,GEO,SOC,GOV.
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(7) Title: The Blessings of Liberty: Creation of the Constitution.

The Blessings of Liberty looks at the important documents that form the federal government and the founding of our three branches of government. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the Preamble and the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights will be discussed in the program. Students will be provided with a work packet our government.

Learning Standards: #1,#5
Themes: GOV,CIV
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(8) Title: Consent of the People: Separation of Powers & The Federal Government

Consent of the People examines the three branches of government in Washington, DC. Students will learn about the U.S. Constitution and the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances. A packet will be supplied to the students.

Learning Standards: 1,5
Themes: GOV, CIV.
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(9) Title: Excelsior!: NYS & Local Government

Excelsior! is an educational program that examines the three branches of government in New York State. Students will be supplied with a work packet to help them understand the functions of state and local government.

Learning Standards: 1,5
Themes: GOV,CIV
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(10) Title: West to Genesee Country: The Westward Movement in NYS, 1800-1860

West to Genesee Country is an in-classroom program that looks at the mass migration to central and western New York in the first half of the 1800s. The focus is on the improvements in transportation (turnpikes, canals and railroads) that facilitated the westward movement to central and western New York. Students will be provided with a booklet with maps and graphs for future reference.

Learning Standards: #1,3 & 4
Themes: MOV,TCC,GEO,ECO,TECH
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(11) Title: Towpath to the West: The Erie Canal in NYS

Towpath to the West discusses the importance of the Erie Canal in the development of New York State. With the use of pictures and maps, the program will look at the ways the builders overcame the many physical obstacles in its construction, the adjustments made to original “Clinton’s Ditch”, and the impact the canal had on New York. Students will be provided with a booklet to use throughout the presentation and for future reference.

Learning Standards: #1,3 & 4
Themes: MOV,TCC,GEO,ECO,TECH
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(12) Title: Looms & Labor: The Industrial Revolution in NYS

Looms & Labor is a program that examines the Industrial Revolution and its impact on New York State. Students will learn about the mills and factories that developed in New York State that led to the arrival of immigrants in New York’s cities. Work packets will be provided to the students for future reference.

Learning Standards: 1,3,4
Themes: MOV,TCC,GEO,ECO,TECH
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(13) Title: Pioneers! O Pioneers!: Migration Westward in America

Pioneers! O Pioneers! is an educational program that focuses on the western migration in America from 1840-1860. Students will learn about the acquisition of the new territories west of the Mississippi River and the pioneer experience as they headed to California and Oregon. Work packets will be supplied so students can use them for future reference.

Learning Standards: 1,3,4
Themes: MOV,TCC,GEO, ECO, TECH
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(14) Title: Swiftness of Thy Course: The Underground Railroad in NYS
Swiftness of Thy Course is a program that looks at the Underground Railroad in New York State. Students will learn about the runaways, the primary routes North and the different groups that helped the runaways in the various communities. Specific leaders in the antislavery movement and conductors on the UGRR will be featured as part of the program. A packet will be provided for students to use for future reference.

Learning Standards: 1,3,4,5
Themes: ID,MOV,CIV,ECO,EXCH
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(15) Title: The Great Mortality: The Bubonic Plague in 14th Century Europe

The Great Mortality engages the students about the bubonic plague that struck Europe during the late Middle Ages. The program provides information on the believed causes of sickness and medical treatment in the Middle Ages to place the epidemic in period context. Students will be provided with a packet that can be used for future reference.

Learning Standards: 2, 3 and 4
Themes: MOV, TCC, GEO, EXCH