Historic Waterways Adventure Online Curriculum


Investigation 2: What is a Document?


NYS Learning Standards: SS1.1 (NYS history), 1.4 (interpreting history)


Grade Level: 3-8


Essential Question: How do you analyze a document?

(2.1.A)
[99.00.08.1] Courtesy of the Rochester Museum & Science Center, Rochester, NY


(2.1.B)
Courtesy of Corn Hill Navigation


(2.2.A)
Source Unknown


(2.2.B)
Courtesy of Corn Hill Navigation


(2.2.B)
Courtesy of Corn Hill Navigation

    Activity 2.1: Analyzing Image Documents From Different Time Periods.

    Document 2.1.A: Canal ticket dated 1845


    Observe.

  1. What do you see? Make a list of everything you see. Mark the three details that you think stand out the most. Share one detail with your teammates. Add details from other students' lists to your list.

    2. Question:

  2. If the artist/photographer walked into the room, what would you ask? Write a list of questions that you have about the document. Share one question with your team.
  3. What other information would you like to have about this document?
  4. Do you think this document is a drawing, photograph, or print? Why?
  5. What is the story told by this work of art?

    6. Conclude:

  6. What conclusions can you draw from analyzing this image?

    7. Document 2.1.B: Boats on the Genesee River, Rochester NY 2005


    Observe.

  7. What do you see?
  8. What symbols do you see?
  9. What people do you see?
  10. What action is taking place?
  11. What message do you get?

    12. Question:

  12. If the artist/photographer walked into the room, what would you ask? Write a list of questions that you have about the document. Share one question with your team.
  13. What other information would you like to have about this document?
  14. Do you think this document is a drawing, photograph, or print? Why?
  15. What is the story told by this work of art?

    16. Conclude:

  16. What conclusions can you draw from analyzing this document?
  17. Based on your observations of both documents, what conclusions can you make?

    18. Activity 2.2: Analyzing Text Documents From Different Time Periods.

    Document 2.2.A: Broadside, 1824
    Document 2.2.B: Brochure, 2005


    Note: Erie Canal boat companies have advertised their cruises to attract passengers since the canal opened in the 1820s. Look at and read these two text documents advertising Erie Canal cruises and answer the following questions.

  18. What do you notice about the two documents that is the same? What is different?
  19. What information is included in one and not the other? What descriptive words are used in one and not the other? Work with a partner and make a list. Compare your list with the other members of the team.
  20. What questions do you have after reading both documents?
  21. What do you think is the purpose of each document?
  22. Who do you think made each document?
  23. Who do you think each document is intended for?
  24. What is meant to catch your eye in each document?
  25. What methods are used to get the message across to people?
  26. Where would you expect to find information about Erie Canal cruises today?
  27. Draw, write or perform an advertisement for an Erie Canal cruise that you think will attract passengers today.

    28. Assessment:

    Write an answer to the essential question: How do you analyze a document?


    What can documents teach us about the workings of the Erie Canal?