Jennifer+Birch's +Final+Project

8-B-1 Local History Project Introduction: ** The Union Canal existed in southeastern PA during the 19th century. First proposed in 1690 to connect Philadelphia with the Susquehanna River, it ran approximately 75 miles. Although construction began in 1792 during the George Washington Administration, financial difficulties delayed its completion until 1828. Called the "Golden Link," it provided a critical early transportation route for the shipment of anthracite, coal, and lumber eastward to Philadelphia. Although closed in the 1880s, remnants of the canal remain, most notably the hand-built Union Canal Tunnel, the oldest existing transportation tunnel in the United States. In April 1950, the Union Canal Tunnel was purchased by the Lebanon County Historical Society. It is available to visit and tour today. Unit Objectives: ** 1. Students will learn about the history of the development of the Union Canal Tunnel. 2. Students will compare and contrast the Union Canal Tunnel with other local tunnels by looking at pictures and videos. 3. Students will use maps to locate tunnels located throughout PA. 4. Students will view graphics of trail markers located on the site of the canal and will discuss meaning and recreate the pictures. 5. Students will view and analyze sheet music about a canal and will learn the melody of a popular canal song. 6. Students will view photographs of canal boats and will make a model of a canal boat. 7. Students will visit the Union Canal Tunnel. __Objectives will be met using the following websites:__ ** Objective 1: ** Students will learn about the history of the development of the Union Canal Tunnel. Map of historic Pennsylvania canals and connecting railroads; a useful visual to compare the location of the Union Canal with other canals throughout the state.

[] Photos of Canals in PA—some black and white and some color photos of canals located throughout Pennsylvania. We would make observations about the photographs and compare and contrast them.

[] Historic Bridges document; contains beautiful original photographs of canals throughout Pennsylvania as well as original photographs of historic people who had direct links to the development of the canals.

[] Union Canal Company of PA papers; an original document that was typewritten containing all the names of individuals involved in the development of the canal. It would be neat to use to compare how we create documents today versus in the past.

[] This site has firsthand information about the development of the canal as well as a link to “Life after the Canal”. I would use this site to read about a firsthand account from someone who experienced it directly.

[] Photos of Canals in PA—some black and white and some color photos of canals located throughout Pennsylvania. We would make observations about the photographs and compare and contrast them.
 * Objective 2: ** Students will compare and contrast the Union Canal Tunnel with other local tunnels by looking at pictures and videos.

[] This site contains data about Historic Canals in PA. We could compare data about the Union Canal with data about other canals in PA. We could also locate other canals using the map graphic on the homepage.

Map of historic Pennsylvania canals and connecting railroads; a useful visual to compare the location of the Union Canal with other canals throughout the state.

[] This website has an online tour of the Erie Canal. Since we spent time listening and learning about the Erie Canal, I would use this site to further teach students about this historic canal. We would use this site to compare and contrast canals.

[] This is a really neat color-coded map of all the canals in PA. I would use this image to show students our state and to locate canals.
 * Objective 3: ** Students will use maps to locate tunnels located throughout PA.

[] This is a fantastic map that is interactive and can be zoomed into. I would use this to locate local canals. Objective 4: ** Students will view graphics of trail markers located on the site of the canal and will discuss meaning and recreate the pictures. [] This site contains graphics that can be found throughout the trail on posted signs as well as information about each. It also shows mile marker signs. I would use the pictures to show students some things they can look for at the trail. We could recreate the signs in class.

[] This site has a graphic of the actual tunnel which I could allow students to view as well as other graphics we could discuss. The website also contains data regarding the history of the tunnel. We would read about the history and discuss details of the tunnel.

[] This site contains data specifically about the Union Canal Tunnel Park and has a graphic of the park I could show students during my lesson. By showing students the graphic they will know what to look for at the site.

[|**http://www.songsforteaching.com/folk/theeriecanal.php**] Includes song lyrics and sheet music for //The Erie Canal// song. I would use this to reach my musical learners while teaching about canals.
 * Objective 5:** Students will view and analyze sheet music about a canal and will learn the melody of a popular canal song.

[] This site has photographs of canal boats. It never occurred to me that students might not know what a canal boat looks like! Conclusion: ** The culminating activity to our lesson would be to take a field trip to the Union Canal Tunnel where students can observe the tunnel, take a ride down the tunnel, view historical signs, take a trail walk, and enjoy lunch on a historic property
 * Objective 6:** Students will view photographs of canal boats and will make a model of a canal boat.