Foreword
This resource booklet has been created to showcase the observations of students who have, through participation in this program, come to understand that Fall River has an exceptionally rich history. It is also intended to engage other students, teachers and citizens in the study of local history. By visiting significant local historic sights and researching the history of these sites, students from the John J. Doran and William S. Greene Elementary Schools have come to appreciate the uniqueness of Fall River. A clearer sense of geographic and cultural diversity in the city has been achieved through observation, classroom discussions, research, site visits and journal keeping. In their comments, students have shown that they have a better understanding of how local history is directly and indirectly linked to the history of our nation.
The Community Service-Learning Enhancement Grant has made it possible for students to use often-overlooked local history resources. Visiting sites and studying artifacts, architecture and events that have shaped the city, gives students a sense of common history creating a bond between them and the city. This will develop a strong sense of civic pride.
As a resource, teachers and others can look to this booklet as a compilation of student observations about their city. As such, it can be used as a model for exploration and extension activities for a local history curriculum. To that end, the following is a list of field trips and other activities that were part of our curriculum. Following each is the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Standard(s) to which the activity can be linked. Note that the grades covered are 3, 4 and 5. These grades are those in which American History is a focal point.
