Adirondack Curriculum Project
K-12, English, Social Studies, Science and/or Art Project
(Teachers need to select which standards they wish to address & customize the challenge)
NYS Content Area Standard
Sample Standards/Indicators (Inter.)
ELA: #1 - Listening, Reading, Speaking & Writing for Information & Understanding - Students compare and synthesize information from different sources; Students use standard English for formal presentation of information, etc.
SS: #1 History of U.S. & NY - Students investigate key turning points in New York State and United States history and explain why these events or developments are significant. 
MST: #4 - Science: Key Idea 7 - Human decisions and activities have a profound impact on the physical and living environment. Students describe the effects of environmental changes on humans and other populations.
ART: #1 - Creating Art: Students know and use a variety of sources for developing and conveying ideas, images, themes, symbols, and events in their creation of art
Adirondack Fire Towers:

Are they Worth Saving?
(Part 1)
 
 

How can you become involved?
(Part 2)

Sandy Hildreth

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 Adirondack Curriculum Content Area
Suggested Options
_X_ Natural History
_X_ Human History
_X_ Culture and the Arts
_X_ Government and Civics
_X_ Economy
___ Health, Recreation & Life Skills

Investigative Question or Issue:

Part 1: There once were 57 firetowers in the Adirondack region - most are gone - some are being adopted by groups that wish to restore them. Should they be saved? How do they fit in with land use plans? 

Part 2: As residents, how can we become involved  and what can we do to help?
(Can be adapted for any grade level and topic area)

Challenge:
 
 Part 1. Research the fire towers in your area - are any still there? Should they be there? Select a specific one and prepare a product that will communicate how you feel about it's existance. Choose a side. (Suggested products: poster, letter to the editor or government representative, tv announcement, powerpoint presentation, etc.)
 

Part 2. If you wish to support the restoration of a specific firetower, work individually or in small groups (3-5) to create a product or performance that could be used for fund-raising and/or be educational for the audience. Donate fund-raising efforts and/or products to appropriate Fire Tower Restoration group or organization.
 

  • Historic information may be obtained from 
  • "Views From On High: Fire Tower Trails in the Adirondacks & Catskills", (by Jack Freeman); 
  • The Adirondack Mountain Club "Fire Tower Challenge" website (http://www.adk.org/html/fire_tower_challenge.htm); 
  • the ADK Glens Falls/Saratoga Chapter Fire Tower Challenge site (http://www.adk-gfs.org/fire_tower_challenge.html), 
  • "Adirondack Fire Towers" website (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bberch/firetowr.htm ) - this site has links to other resources; 
  • "Explore Mount Arab" website (http://www.tupperlake.net/MtArab.htm ); 
  • "Adirondack Fire Towers" website (http://www.masterpieces.com/places1.htm ); 
  • the "National Historic Lookout Association" website (http://www.firetower.org); 
  • New York State Fire Tower List (AARCH): (http://www.aarch.org/html/fire_tower.html)
  • Nehesane Fire Observer: An Adirondack Woman's Summer of '42 (Francis Boone Seaman)
  • Local town/ county historians or historical associations; newspaper archives; and last but perhaps most important - friends, relatives, and neighbors who might have had personal experiences with Fire Towers.
  • People who have worked on firetower restorations: Sandy Hildreth (Azure Mountain); David Thomas-train (Poke-o-moonshine); Patrick Whalen (Mount Arab)
  • Author & researcher of Adirondack Firetowers: Marty Podskoch
    • Teachers need to set time limits and establish specific requirements. A field trip or visit from someone associated with the tower could be helpful and informative.

    Product/Performance Suggestions: 

    • a "book" about the fire tower consisting of historic fact and personal recollections - could also include photos and/or student artwork 
    • a student researched trail guide for the fire tower containing informative historic, scientific or educational material, photos, or artwork 
    • publish a "newsletter" about the fire tower featuring student researched information and/or artwork and photos 
    • design a logo to use on T-shirts or posters to raise public awareness about the fire tower
    • produce fund-raising posters
    • have an art exhibit about the natural and/or human history of the fire tower
    • creat a website about the tower and restoration project
    • a song, play, or musical performance about the fire tower
    • a board game about fire towers
    • other?

    Quality Standards:
     

     Fire Tower Product/Performance

     Part 1:

    • Product accurately describes location of selected fire tower
    • DEC land use designation is specified
    • A side is taken on the status of the firetower & the choice is clearly supported & effectively communicated
     Part 2:
    • Based on accurate factual information (teacher provided and/or student research)
    • Useful for fund-raising and/or educational purposes
    • Involves the community
    • Communicates a positive reason for saving/restoring a specific fire tower
    • Completed by the deadline
    • Is useful
    Product Quality Checklist
    Adapted for the Adirondack Curriculum Project from the work of Education By Design TM and Leading EDGE, LLC
    ©ACP 2002
    ****ADIRONDACK CHALLENGES****
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