From the classroom teacher, Pat Convery

"I liked looking at all the different books (about the Quabbin)."

3rd grade student

"It was fun to learn history."

3rd grade student

As part of the Massachusetts History Unit, my third grade class is doing an in depth study on the Quabbin and some of the local towns. I am working on this part of the unit with a Massachusetts DOE grant called Uncovering the Quabbin. Christine Morin, Technology Aide and Carol Holzberg, Technology Coordinator helped with this project. This work will include learning historical research skills using primary source materials and artifacts, and developing technology skills that can help make sense of the data.

Our class will create a website presenting four areas of study:

• the Swift River towns before the flood,
• the controversy of Boston taking the land for a water supply,
• the area after the Quabbin was formed,
• wildlife of the area as it is today

This unit aligns to many of the standards of the MA History and Social Science Curriculum Frameworks including Grade 3 Concepts and Skills (History and Geography 1-5 and Cities and Towns of MA 3.8 – 3.14 ).We will be using primary source material from local historical societies. Students will go on field trips to local sites for first-hand observations. There will also be many guest speakers to share their knowledge of the Quabbin and its history.

At the conclusion of this Quabbin study, parents and staff will have an opportunity to view the website and discuss the work that went into the project, and discover how much students learned about Quabbin history.

During our field trip to the Swift River Valley Historical Society, students investigated a topographical map of the Quabbin Valley.   "I liked the 3D maps. They were cool." 3rd grade student

This project was facilitated by Classroom Aide, Jackie Tolzdorf.