Math Lessons
Using the Hudson River
These lessons use actual data from Hudson River research to construct word problems that require addition and subtraction skills for their solution. Most are linked to geography through use of Hudson River Miles, a system that uses mile numbers to locate points on the river. Be sure to download a copy of the "Hudson River Miles Map" for students to use.
A range of difficulty is presented in these lessons. "On the Trail of the Blue Crab," for example, focuses on subtraction skills and uses numbers no larger than two digits. "On the Trail of the Hudson's Migratory Fish," on the other hand, requires addition of as many as three figures, some of them three digit numbers. The "Tracking the Salt Front" lesson requires students to analyze and obtain data from bar graphs in order to answer questions.
Add & Subtract with Hudson River Shipping
Students practice addition and subtraction skills by following the movements of ships, tugboats, and barges on the Hudson River estuary.
Educator Lesson Plan for "Add & Subtract with Hudson River Shipping"
Student Worksheet for "Add & Subtract with Hudson River Shipping" (190 kb pdf)
On the Trail of the Hudson's Migratory Fish
Students practice addition and subtraction skills by tracking the movements of migratory fish of the Hudson River estuary.
Educator Lesson Plan for "On the Trail of the Hudson's Migratory Fish"
Student Worksheet for "On the Trail of the Hudson's Migratory Fish" (180 kb pdf)
On the Trail of the Blue Crab
Students practice subtraction skills by tracking the movements of blue crabs in the Hudson River estuary.
Educator Lesson Plan for "On the Trail of the Blue Crab"
Student Worksheet for "On the Trail of the Blue Crab" (160 kb pdf)
Tracking the Salt Front
In this two part lesson, students use math skills and bar graphs of salinity data for the Hudson estuary to understand the movements of the salt front in response to storms and other weather events.
Educator Lesson Plan for "Tracking the Salt Front"
Student Worksheet for "Tracking the Salt Front" (230 kb pdf)
Mathematics Lesson Package
Teacher and student sections for all of the lessons above in one pdf file, paginated to allow back to back copying.
Mathematics Lesson Package (610 kb pdf)
Hudson River Miles Map (190 kb pdf)*Note:This is set for legal (8.5 inches x 14 inches) paper to maximize legibility, but it will work on letter (8.5 inches x 11 inches) paper as well. To obtain legal size copies, you may need to use the options in your computer's print menu to specify printout on legal size paper.
