January 18, 2006

About The Project

Titled "Rendezvous with History: The Lives of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt" this project began with plans for a field trip to the Roosevelt home and library in Hyde Park, New York. Teachers from Clay Hall, grade 8 (Kathryn Peterson, social studies; Christina Froehlich, language arts; and Judith Stott, library-media specialist) discussed an interdisciplinary approach to the topic. The results are nine subtopics that come together as a portrait of our thirty-second president and his wife, and their effect on American history.

There are several components to the project.

1. A visit by National Park Service rangers to the school. The presentation is titled "Eleanor's Trunk" and involves the students in discussion and analysis of artifacts that would have accompanied Eleanor Roosevelt on her travels.
2. Research work in which students do in depth research on a specific subtopic. A student packet, produced by C. Froehlich and Kathryn Peterson, details instructions and requirements (and can be found at the Teacher Resource page). The web quest you find here (designed by Judith Stott) was developed to help students begin the process of gathering information.
3. A teacher workshop at Springwood, facilitated by NPS staff to familiarize teachers with the program, as well as other information that is available.
4. A field trip to Springwood, the Hyde Park home of the Roosevelt's, now a part of the National Park System. While at the estate and adjoining library, students participate in three sessions provided by the NPS staff and take digital photos (with school cameras) for use in their project presentations.
5. The production of PowerPoint compositions to be shared with each of the five social studies and English classes. The requirements for these presentations, as well as the project as a whole can be found on the Teacher resource pages.
6. A tea and show casing well-done presentations. The makers of these chosen projects will be invited, along with their parents and other staff, to a viewing in the auditorium followed by refreshments.

Many thanks to...

The project has involved a great number of hours of interdisciplinary planning and preparation. It was an opportunity to learn about the workings of the Dreamweaver web-authoring software which, while an enjoyable endeavor, required technical assistance and moral support from many people.In particular we would like to thank G. Cimorelli, P. Mantica, P. Driscoll, D. Hobden and R. Moore. All of our contacts with the staff at Hyde Park have been very positive, from Kathryn Peterson's initial inquiries to our many (many, many) follow-up calls.

Questions or comments...

If you need any further information, feel free to contact the Junior High or email Ms. Stott at jstott@ncolonie.org who will pass on your questions to the appropriate staff member.

About Clay Hall and Our School

Shaker Junior High School is the only junior high/middle school in the North Colonie Central School District. Our enduring vision is and will continue to be to maintain a safe, supportive and wholesome school environment that includes a comprehensive educational system, providing academic opportunities, services and instruction of the highest quality and value to all children. Our school maintains a tradition of high academic achievement, support programs for those in need, affective programs to help develop the whole child, an involved, caring faculty and a community that recognizes and supports our mission.
      Despite being a junior high school which houses grades seven and eight only, Shaker Junior High School provides programs typical of any high quality middle school; indeed our comprehensive programs will compare favorably with the best middle schools anywhere. We're proud of our school and pleased that you are reading about us. Visit us to see the whole picture; what an effective school offers and how it operates on a daily basis. [Visit our district web site for more information at: www.northcolonie.org.

Clay Hall is made up of four seventh and four eight grade homerooms-with a total of 115 studentsin grade 8.