SCHOOL PROGRAMS
FRIENDS’ is excited to be teaching our programs to more and more students each year! In 2011 alone, we reached over 1,000 students. Our architectural education programs for 1st-5th graders have been teaching children to “read” a building since its inception in 1995. Our young architects learn about stoops, lintels, cornices, and pediments, in addition to the history of their school neighborhood! We offer our programs to schools located in East Midtown, The Upper East Side, and East Harlem. We have taught in many classes at public schools, including Hunter College Elementary, Harlem Day Charter, P.S. 6, 59, 77, 102, 108, 146, 149, 151, 158, 198, 225, 290, 375, and at private schools such as Allen Stevenson, Buckley, Caedmon, Chapin, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Dalton, Nightingale, Scuola D’Italia, Spence and Trevor Day.
PROGRAM ONE- BUILDING FUN
In our first program, Building Fun, students explore architecture and ask “what can a building tell us about itself, its builder, its owner, its neighborhood and how does it fit into New York City history?” Students explore these questions in depth by using their new architectural vocabulary, looking closely at their school neighborhood on an architectural walk, comparing current day streets with historical photographs, and designing their own building. The program can be a great addition to the study of New York City, the neighborhood/community, as well as the study of history or the visual arts.
Want to hear more about Landmarks and Preservation? Ask about our new Landmarks lesson, which can be added to either of our programs. This lively class discusses the origins of preservation in New York City and why landmarks are important, as well as an in depth look at the six historic districts on the Upper East Side. This lesson concludes with a mock proposal and Landmarks Preservation Commission Hearing.
PROGRAM TWO- YORKVILLE IMMIGRATION
Our second program explores the rich history of immigration on the Upper East Side. The program focuses on the German and Hungarian areas in Yorkville and how the built environment can provide clues to this rich heritage. The program discusses a brief history of immigration in New York City (with a focus on the Upper East Side) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, what life was like in tenement buildings, and includes a walking tour of significant homes, tenement buildings, churches, and stores that reflect the historic presence of German and Hungarian immigrants. It brings the study of immigration in New York City directly into their school neighborhood. The program concludes with an art activity in which students travel back to 1904 and create their own passports for inspection at Ellis Island, as well as design a postcard to a friend in their homeland describing their new Yorkville neighborhood.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
An experienced educator visits the classroom and brings all necessary materials. Each program includes three one hour visits and are scheduled to be convenient for the school. It can be three consecutive Wednesdays, three days in a row, or any arrangement that is mutually agreed upon. Each program includes two classroom sessions and one walking tour. We would be happy to come in and meet with you about the program or work to make it applicable to your curriculum. Please note that the walking tour for the Immigration Unit takes place in Yorkville and your educator will meet you on the southeast corner of 85th Street and 1st Avenue.
BONUS SESSION AT THE MUSEUM
Add a 90 minute BONUS SESSION after our program at the Museum of the City of New York. MCNY’s The Grid program is the perfect follow-up to our Building Fun Program. Please see our program brochure for details and how to register directly with the museum.
HOW TO REGISTER
If you would like us to visit your classroom, please email education@friends-ues.org or call our office and provide the information, or print our brochure and mail in the registration form. For program fees, please contact us. If cost is prohibitive, please let us know and we would be happy to discuss other arrangements.
Download our Program Brochure and registration form. We look forward to working with you! Please contact us with any questions.
TEACHER FEEDBACK
Here’s what our participating teachers have to say about the programs!
Also check out an article about our 2010 visit to Chapin!
“I loved the program, especially the building of students’ vocabulary and the application of it to the real world!”
-3rd grade teacher
“I loved doing the scavenger hunt for architectural elements. My students have been down these blocks hundreds of times but now they see them in a whole new way.”
-1st grade teacher
“Thank you for your incredible presentation at our school. Your lessons, discussions, and models were perfectly leveled to our Class I boys. It brought the neighborhood into the classroom. Our study was greatly enhanced though your guidance and wealth of information! I hope to be able to schedule you again in the future…and to recommend you and your organization to others.”
-1st grade teacher
My students have been learning what it means to be a ‘city kid’. Part of this is knowing and recognizing what is around us!
-2nd grade teacher
Thank you for the amazing program- my class really enjoyed their time and we definitely want to participate next year. It was fabulous how your program fit into our social studies curriculum, and I wish we could add MORE sessions!
-2nd grade teacher
What a wonderful resource you all are! This added depth and meaning to our study of Yorkville. The program was wonderfully managed too!
-1st/2nd grade teacher
The program created an architectural and artistic link as students learned about local architecture and the importance of preservation.
-2nd grade teacher
