English Language Arts Lessons
Reading, Writing, and Speaking about the Hudson River
The reading for "From the Mountains
to the Sea" lesson
These lessons allow teachers to integrate study of the Hudson into instruction in English Language Arts. The topics covered relate to content in other Hudson River Estuary Program lesson plans. For example, the article "The Atlantic Sturgeon of the Hudson River" may be assigned to students who are also working on the math skills lesson "On the Trail of the Hudson's Migratory Fish." While aimed at students in Grades 3 to 5, the readings vary somewhat in difficulty. Some of our lessons for Kindergarten to Grade 3 address similar content; see links below.
Readings in Hudson River Natural History
Students will practice English language arts skills by listening to or reading and then responding to short articles about Hudson River nature, science, and history.
- Teacher Section for "Readings in Hudson River Natural History"
- Teacher Section for "Readings in Hudson River Natural History" (PDF) 271 KB
Student Readings:
- From the Mountains to the Sea (PDF) 310 KB [for K-3, see Meet the Hudson River (PDF) 323 KB]
- The Atlantic Sturgeon of the Hudson River (PDF) 140 KB
- Bald Eagles of the Hudson River (PDF) 280 KB
- The Eel's Incredible Journey (PDF) 180 KB [for K-3, see Growing Up as an American Eel (PDF) 253 KB]
- Blue Claw! (PDF) 220 KB
- Adaptations - Designs for Survival (PDF) 220 KB [for K-3, see Hogchoker Hunt (PDF) 325 KB]
- Adapting to Estuaries (PDF) 720 KB
- Alien Invasion! (PDF) 179 KB
Readings in Hudson River Natural History Package
Teacher and student sections for all of the lessons above in one PDF file, paginated for back to back copying.
Water Cycle Reading and Writing
Students will read a story about a water molecule's journey through the water cycle and then write a similar story.
- Teacher Section for "Water Cycle Reading and Writing"
- Teacher Section for "Water Cycle Reading and Writing" (PDF) 250 KB
- Student Reading: "Walter the Water Molecule: Take a Journey Through the Water Cycle" (PDF) 120 KB
Water Cycle Reading and Writing Lesson Package
Teacher and student sections for this lesson in one PDF file, paginated for back to back copying
