Adirondack Curriculum Project

The Adirondack Curriculum Project has successfully conducted workshops for K-12 teachers in Newcomb, Tupper Lake, Paul Smiths, Raquette Lake, Saranac Lake, and Lake George. Our workshops are hands-on, collaborative, and model the “Adirondack Challenge.” We provide experienced presenters, resource people, and teacher facilitators. Our goal is for each participant to leave with a challenge to use in the classroom that will both meet NYS Learning Standards,prepare students for assessments, and help students learn about the Adirondacks.

NEWCOMB CENTRAL SCHOOL - AUGUST 25-26, 2009
PLANNING AN "ADIRONDACK FAIR"

The Adirondack Curriculum Project was contracted by the Newcomb Central School district to conduct a 2 - day workshop for the entire faculty. A faculty steering committee had previously selected "logging" (which has been extremely important in the history of the Newcomb area) as a unifying theme. The week before Thanksgiving had also been selected for the Adirondack Fair. Teachers were to receive ACP training in the development of "Adirondack Challenges" so that all students would be involved in some kind of instructional activity that would culminate with a display, performance, or presentation at the Fair.

During the course of the 2 day workshop, ACP facilitators helped the Newcomb staff figure out how the concept of the Adirondack Fair would be introduced to the student body; logistics of communication and scheduling between teachers; how the specific challenges would meet specific curriculum and NYS Standards requirements - and incorporate logging; practiced some student-centered Constructivist strategies; learned how to access resources; and identifed criteria for a successful Adirondack Fair.

Each teacher created a challenge (sometimes in collaboration with another teacher) that reflected the theme, was appropriate for their classroom, and will have students create some kind of product that could be displayed or presented at the Fair.

Teacher comments about the workshop.

*If interested in a similar workshop - here is a sample letter that an administrator could share with his/her staff.

Dear Faculty,

Over the past year many community members have asked me if we could celebrate our community’s heritage in some way during the school year. I thought it would be appropriate to have an “Adirondack Fair”, perhaps annually, that celebrates a different aspect of our heritage and builds as sense of pride and enthusiasm for our community.

I would like faculty to create an “Adirondack Challenge” that will link to the New York Standards (I want it linked to what you are already teaching. I don’t want you to create more work for yourselves) for one or more of their classes that will be manifested during an “Adirondack Fair” week __________.

This year I would like the fair to be built around the theme of _____________. It is my hope that you will create a steering committee to organize yourselves and the event.

Please make sure that you address the following issues in your challenges:

It clearly links the past, present and future
It clearly links to our school and community
Activities are developmentally and age appropriate
There are a variety of products each with clearly stated criteria for quality
It utilizes some form of field trip(s)
It some how involves all stakeholders

I look forward to an update by the end of the year and plan on using our staff development days in the fall to plan the event. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely
Superintendent…

PLEASE CONTACT THE ACP WORKSHOP COMMITTEE TO ARRANGE FOR AN "ADIRONDACK FAIR" WORKSHOP.

The ACP is a 501(3)c not for profit organization