#2008-02: February 1, 2008 Local Teachers Expand Their "SENSE OF PLACE" On Tuesday, January 29th, fifteen local teachers convened at The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development in Arkville. The focus of the day-long workshop was to introduce the Center's place-based, interdisciplinary curriculum, "The Catskills: A Sense of Place" to yet another audience of interested and dedicated teachers. The teachers represented various disciplines, from Kindergarten through 12th grade and hailed from four school districts: Hunter-Tannersville, Margaretville, Roxbury, and Windham-Ashland-Jewett. All share a similar interest in hoping to bring more teachings about the Catskill Region into their classroom. Throughout the day, teachers participated in several hands-on activities derived from this five-module, New York State standards-based curriculum. The five modules are: Water Resources, Geology and Geography, Ecosystems, Human History, and Culture & Arts of the Catskills. For instance, participants were introduced to a new way of teaching about contour mapping and delineating watersheds. By taking a two-dimensional map and making it 3-D, students (and adults) can easily understand these often difficult concepts. Participants were also asked to analyze paintings by the famed Hudson River School artists and answer questions about primary source items of naturalist John Burroughs. At the conclusion of the day, teachers were given time to peruse the curriculum and work either individually or in groups to make plans on how to best implement what Director of Education Aaron Bennett called "two easy and one stretch" activities. "By the end of the school year, each teacher is asked to complete at least three activities of the more than 100 in the curriculum. The one stretch activity is what I am most interested in hearing about - it's a chance for a teacher to think outside the box, and experiment with the curriculum a little bit." said Bennett. At the end of the school year, teachers will get together one more time to report on what they were able to accomplish with the place-based curriculum. "The administrators at these schools should be commended for allowing their teachers to participate in this important endeavor. We all need to do a better job of educating our youth about the Catskill Region if we expect them to want to raise a family and reside here in the future," said Tom Alworth, Executive Director. This project is an extension of a similar one conducted two years ago with the support of ONC BOCES. Twenty teachers at those districts were introduced to the curriculum back then, and since that time the interest at each school has increased. If there are any other schools that are interested, please call Aaron Bennett. This project was funded in part by the Catskill Watershed Corporation in cooperation with the NYCDEP. Sharon Quinn, a K-7th art teacher at Windham-Ashland-Jewett summed up her experience, "I am so glad that I had the chance to attend. In fact, I was so wound up that night my head was racing with ideas and I hardly slept a wink!" For more information on the Catskill Center, and its "Sense of Place" curriculum, visit www.catskillcenter.org or call 845-586-2611.