Topic: Community Change and the Erie Canal
Connections to the New York State Social Studies Framework
Social Studies Practices: Geographic Reasoning
Key Idea: 7.6c Westward expansion provided opportunities for some groups while harming others.
Reading Standard: Key Ideas and Details
Compelling Question: How did existing communities change as a result of the Erie Canal?
Historical Background: The Erie Canal opened in 1825. The canal expedited trade between New York City and the local communities along the canal. For a century, businesses and residents in New York towns and cities enjoyed unprecedented growth and access to new markets and travel opportunities. In the early twentieth century, the canal towns and cities changed again as the need for the canal ended and large sections were filled in.
Document Analysis:
Suchman Inquiry Activity: The Suchman Model asks students to think through an event, problem, or series of clues to come up with predictions and/or answer questions.
Directions: Students work through 4 stations and use their Detective Notes to gather evidence at each station.
Station 1: Erie Canal Song and Lyrics
Station 2: Map of the City of Schenectady
Station 3: Images of the Erie Canal
Station 4: Images of Current Businesses in Schenectady
Station 1: Erie Canal Song and Lyrics
Explore the Dave Ruch website and watch the video on the history of the Erie Canal Song. Listen to the original lyrics being performed. Answer the station 1 questions on your detective notes.
Station 2: Map of Schenectady, NY
Explore the Google Map of Schenectady. Answer the questions for station 2 in your detective notes.
Station 3: Images of the Erie Canal
Analyze each photograph and answer the questions for station 3 in your detective notes.
Click on each image to take a closer look.
Courtesy: Schenectady County Historical Society
Canal Blowout Near the Hamlet of Pattersonville in Rotterdam, NY
List all the objects you see in this photograph.
List all the people you see in this photograph.
What do you think is happening in this photograph?
How do you think the event pictured here impacted local communities?
Courtesy: Schenectady County Historical Society
Men Working on the Erie Canal showing Horses and Buildings in the Background in Scotia, NY.
List all the objects you see in this photograph.
List all the people you see in this photograph.
What do you think is happening in this photograph?
How do you think the event pictured here impacted local communities?
Courtesy: Schenectady County Historical Society
Construction of the Erie Canal in Scotia, NY
List all the objects you see in this photograph.
List all the people you see in this photograph.
What do you think is happening in this photograph?
How do you think the event pictured here impacted local communities?
Courtesy: Schenectady County Historical Society
Rexford Bridge Over Aqueduct
List all the objects you see in this photograph.
List all the people you see in this photograph.
What do you think is happening in this photograph?
How do you think the event pictured here impacted local communities?
Courtesy: Schenectady County Historical Society
Erie Canal Being Filled In
List all the objects you see in this photograph.
List all the people you see in this photograph.
What do you think is happening in this photograph?
How do you think the event pictured here impacted local communities?
Station 4: Images of Modern Businesses on Erie Boulevard
Research each business pictured and explain how these businesses impact modern Schenectady. Add your findings to your detective notes.
Courtesy: Schenectady Gazette
Courtesy: Times Union
Courtesy: Schenectady Gazette
Assessment: How did the area of Erie Boulevard in Schenectady change as a result of the Erie Canal?
This lesson was created by educator Marissa Gordon through a grant from the Bender Family Foundation.
