Expedition: “The Story of the Earth”

Our first graders began this expedition by diving into a world of stories. They heard, read, and created stories through music, movement, and visual art. A guest storyteller made a surprise appearance and told an amazing story about when the earth was new, leading first graders to wonder, “does the earth have a story?” The class went on field studies, visited with earth experts, and conducted research to uncover Earth’s story. With this new information, the first graders took on the role of storytellers and shared this story with families at Exhibition Night. They wrote a book and created a performance with music and dance to make the earth’s story come alive.

Expedition: “Secrets of the Moon”

In this expedition, our second graders listened to ancient stories from all over the world about the mysteries of the moon. Students made careful observations of the sky, listened to local experts, and visited the Strasenburgh Planetarium as they learned more about the moon and its role in our solar system. With plenty of observational drawing, journal writing, and playing with scientific models, the second grade class developed into young astronomers. They also partnered with the third grade class to share what they learned and gain a deeper understanding of the expedition content.

Expedition: “Build Me a River!

How has our local geography changed over time, and why? In this expedition, our fourth graders investigated these questions as they traveled to the source of the Genesee River and followed to its mouth in Charlotte. They explored what this region has seen throughout geological time and produced scale models of the Genesee River. They also composed music and movement pieces inspired by their expedition experiences.

Expedition: “What’s Up?”

Expedition: “Circle of the Forest”

Kicking off with a native story about courage, perseverance, and wisdom, our Kindergarteners immersed themselves in the Seneca culture through the lens of “Circle in the Forest,” a story about a boy who faces his fears in order to be able to hunt with his father. Using this story as well as other guest experts, the class learned about the art of storytelling and its importance to the Seneca culture. Additionally, the class learned about the story’s characters, explored the roles they had in their community, and developed a sense of gratitude for the natural world. At Exhibition Night, they showcased their learning through a live performance of “Circle in the Forest” with music and creative movement.

Expedition: “If These Walls Could Talk”

What is culture? What is my culture? How does my culture compare to those that thrived on this land long ago? In this expedition, our 3rd graders examined these questions as they investigated the culture of their classroom and the cultures of early Native Americans. They read ancient stories about land and natural resources, explored the Native American exhibits at the RMSC, and built models of Native American dwellings. Students created their own artifacts, songs and dances that celebrate the diverse cultures of North America. At Exhibition Night, they served as museum docents in the Native Peoples of the Americas exhibit at the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC).

Expedition: “Maps Tell a Story”

Maps are an important part of our human experience. In this expedition, our fourth graders explored how maps can tell the story of the people who have lived here before us. The class studied the locations and environments of early Native Americans and European explorers and came to understand the conflict that can arise when two different cultures meet.

Expedition: “New Places, New Faces”

“The Great Stone Face” by Nathaniel Hawthorne served as a springboard for this first grade expedition. Who is this person? Why is he here? Through primary source documents and field studies, the class discovered who this man and his who family were, why they settled in this area, and how one of the earliest Rochester communities was established.

Expedition: “Stake Your Claim”

Why did people make the long, arduous journey from “back east” to Rochester? Why did the first settlers inhabit specific spots along the banks of the mighty Genesee River? What did they need to do to create a sustainable life for their families? In this expedition, our second graders learned about the first seven settlements along the Genesee River. They visited the settlement locations, studied old maps and city directories, and worked with local experts to piece together the history of the settlements. To simulate the interdependence of early settlers and experience daily life in the early 1800’s, the class embarked on a camping trip in Webster Park. Each crew was responsible for creating specific structures needed in a particular settlement. Exhibition Night took the form of a “Town Square Fair” where students shared songs, dances, games, their opinion writing.

Expedition: “Taking Liberties”

Many of the early colonists came to the new world as British citizens who held their kings in high regard. The fifth grade class worked throughout this expedition to understand why and how these sentiments changed. They studied a variety of perspectives – colonists, British government, Patriots, Loyalists, and those where were neutral or undecided – to deepen their understanding of the time period. As they learned about the American Revolution and the long road to independence from Great Britain, the class worked with cause-and-effect relationships from the Stamp Act to the Treaty of Paris. They explored what the Founding Fathers believed about government learned the foundations of our democracy. This expedition was rich in primary documents and compelling historical characters and included a field study to Boston, MA to understand – from multiple perspectives – how our nation was born.

Expedition: “If The Shoe Fits”

In this expedition, our first graders learned about the interdependence of prominent occupations during the 1800’s as Rochester expanded from a village to a city. The class learned about laws and rules, job specialization, and individual roles in society. They paid special attention to the booming manufacturing industry and how it changed the lives tradespeople. Students read and wrote letters and created a postal system within the classroom.

Expedition: “Boom!”

Rochester is America’s first boomtown. What were the contributing factors and how did this sudden influx of people and ideas work together to create historic change? During this expedition, our third graders investigated the unique climate and landscape that influenced farming in the region and the high-yield wheat that drove the Rochester wheat markets. In addition, they travelled along the Erie Canal to learn about simple machines and engineering feats that made the canal functional.

Expedition: “With Liberty and Justice For…?”

In this expedition, our fourth graders studied the people who worked tirelessly to abolish slavery and expand rights for African Americans and women in the 19th Century. Central to this expedition were the strategies and character traits of key Rochester figures: Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriett Tubman, Isaac and Amy Post, and Austin Steward. Students used the GCCS Character Traits as a lens to examine how these reformers brought change to our world. Multiple field studies took the class to historically significant locations in and around Rochester. Students worked with local historians to deepen their understanding about the reformers and their actions. As a final product, students produced a character reflection journal to document their perception of themselves as reformers.

Expedition: “Rochester on the Move”

As the population of Rochester grew and the village transformed into a city, it needed to develop safe and efficient methods of transportation. In this expedition, our Kindergarteners examined the transportation problems that Rochester faced as a growing city. Students learned how roads and bridges help connect members of the community; how public transit helps people without cars and helps reduce traffic; and how laws, signs, lighting, and snow removal help keep people safe. The class engaged in service work by partnering with local  public transportation organizations.

Expedition: “Flowers Among the People”

Why is it that Rochester is known as the “Flower City”? How did it change from the “Flour City” to the “Flower City”? This expedition explored Rochester’s weather, transportation, and economic conditions that caused new industries to form. Students wrote poetry related to transportation, plant and flowers, and the water cycle. Their final product reflected the emergence of printing and flower industries in Rochester.

Expedition: ‘Everybody Has a Story”

Identity is firmly rooted in a sense of “place”. As people moved, understanding the meaning of “place” required negotiation. To begin this expedition, our fifth graders grappled with the question of “place” and how it shapes our identity within the context of 19th century immigration. They assessed the similarities and differences between new arrivals then and now. Industrialization also occurred during this time period, so the class explored the role it played in the immigrant experience. As a service to the community, each student interviewed an immigrant who lives in the Rochester area and paid tribute to that person with a written biography along with an artistic presentation.

Expedition: “Bridges and Barriers: Life Along the Wall”

Walls built by humans can defend – or segregate – depending on their intention and perception. This expedition studied the ways in which walls have conceptually kept people apart and how they are used to define or reinforce identity. Our 6th graders started with the first communities and the rise of social roles before examining walls in the Classical Era. Following an exploration of walls across the globe and throughout history, the students turned their attention to the barriers that exist in our own community. They critically examined data and demographics to spark a conversation about next steps for breaking down barriers in Rochester.

Expedition: “Whose Renaissance Is It?” (Part 1)

Keeping with the year-long theme of Bridges and Barriers, this expedition helped our 6th graders understand their unique identities with the intention of better understanding each other. Investigations around race and class gave students the tools to understand the disproportionate opportunity within our city. The latter half of the expedition was dedicated to working with local artists and storytellers to better understand their struggle to succeed. The class shared their experiences through monologues and poetry.

Expedition: “Whose Renaissance Is It?” (Part 2)

As their year of investigating Bridges and Barriers came to a close, our sixth graders had the opportunity to leave a permanent mark on their community through acts of service. They kicked off the expedition by speaking with experts from Rochester who have a stake in the equitable redevelopment of our city. They got a sense of what has been accomplished so far and what needs improvement. The Capstone Trip provided answers to the students’ guiding questions in community equity, youth engagement, and mural programs. Students synthesized their findings through a publication that chronicled Rochester’s Renaissance. Finally, their Better World Project gave rise to four murals in the city that reflect the unique identity of Rochester’s neighborhoods and history.