FRIENDS’ architectural education programs have been teaching children to “read” a building since its inception in 1995. In 2008 and 2009 alone, over 1600 students learned 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 1st through 5th grade classes at public schools, including Hunter College Elementary, Harlem Day Charter, P.S. 6, 59, 102, 108, 158, 225, 290, and at private schools such as Allen Stevenson, Buckley, Caedmon, Chapin, Convent of the Sacred Heart, 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.
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 docent visits the classroom and brings all necessary materials. The three one hour visits 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 docent will meet you on the southeast corner of 85th Street and 1st Avenue.
HOW TO REGISTER
If you would like us to visit your classroom, please print out our brochure and mail in the registration form, or email or call our office to provide this information. For program fees, please contact our Education Director listed below. If cost is prohibitive, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss other arrangements.
Download our education brochure and registration form. We will get back to you shortly and we look forward to working with you! Feel free to contact our Education Director, Sarah O’Keefe, with any questions by phone at 212-535-2526 or by email at s.okeefe@friends-ues.org.
TEACHER FEEDBACK
Here’s what our participating teachers have to say about the programs!
Also check out a recent 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
