approved Adirondack Curriculum Project
NYS Content Area Standard

The Arts 1. Create, perform, participate in the arts

MST 4. Science
See Related "Comparing the Raquette & Hudson Rivers" Challenge
Title: Water Music-A River Song

Grade Level: 3-4th Grade

Author: Karen Butters, Long Lake CSD

Email: kbutters@telenet.net
Adirondack Curriculum Content Area
___ Natural History
___ Human History
___ Culture & the Arts
___ Government & Civics
___ Economy
___ Health, Recreation & Life Skills

Investigative Question or Issue: How can our Adirondack rivers be celebrated in song?

Challenge:
 
Context for this Challenge: Students should be given this challenge prior to beginning a study of the Raguette and Hudson River so they can begin thinking about the application of the knowledge they gain in the challenge. This challenge may be given to an entire class with small groups composing their own stanzas for the whole class song OR the challenge could be given to the small groups such that each group creates its own unique song.

The Challenge: In pairs formed with the help of your teacher, briefly review your understanding of the important vocabulary you've learned about the Raquette and Hudson rivers. Brainstorm some ideas describing what a trip down either of these rivers might be like. Use some of your vocabulary words correctly in this brainstorm.

Create a song that describes and celebrates the adventure of a trip down either the Hudson or Raquette river. As you make up your song, please keep the following in mind:

- Your song must include at least four terms from your vocabulary list. The words must be used correctly in the song.
- Your song should include at least one 4-line rhyming stanza that is set to a tune you select.
- Be sure to include a chorus that also fits the tune you have selected. This chorus should be repeated between stanzas should you create more than one stanza.

Be prepared to perform your song for your teacher and classmates.

We will discuss the time parameters for his challenge in class.

Quality Standards:  


- Students successfully complete the science lesson, becoming knowledgeable with the geography of the Raquette and Hudson rivers and associated vocabulary

- Song includes at least four correctly used words from the following vocabulary: tributary, oxbow, falls, downstream, upstream, Blue Line, mouth, source, divide, basin, meander, floodplain, wetland

- Song includes at least one 4-line rhyming stanza that is set to a selected tune

- Song includes a chorus that may be repeated between stanzas.

Adapted for the Adirondack Curriculum Project from the work of Education By Design TM and Leading EDGE, LLC ©ACP 2002

   Product Quality
Checklist
Date: ________                                                                     Class Period: ________
Product Author(s):

 

 Product Title/Name:
Water Music - A River Song
Evaluator Name(s)
 
 Observed Standard/Criteria
Possible
Points
Rating
  Students successfully complete the science lesson, becoming knowledgeable with the geography of the Raquette and Hudson rivers and associated vocabulary  30  
 
Song includes at least four correctly used words from the following vocabulary: tributary, oxbow, falls, downstream, upstream, Blue Line, mouth, source, divide, basin, meander, floodplain, wetland
 30  
 
Song includes at least one 4-line rhyming stanza that is set to a selected tune
 20  
 
Song includes a chorus that may be repeated between stanzas.
 20  
       
 
TOTALS
   

Comments: BONUS:Write your own music for your song.

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