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Originally, my concept for the curriculum content of Legends was that it be about local history. We would take the children on field trips to learn the history of their town by visiting the places where history happened and any cultural intisutions that support that history (like museums and historical societies). On rare and wonderful occasions, we are fortunate to have found people who have a direct connection to the history and are willing to share with the children. Harold Burnham (3rd generation wooden ship builder) in Essex, and Jane Giambanco ('oar painter' for the St. Peter's Fiesta parade) in Gloucester were two such occasions.

The results of these encounters is magnificent!  The children gain a thorough understanding of their town's unique history. They become aware of the significance of that history, familiar with the local cultural institutions. And, they develop, what I call, historical-hyperlinks in their minds. After a Legends field trip, they know and can share some of the stories behind many place names, famous people, and important locations. These connections help make the community an extension of the classroom, and last a lifetime.

These kinds of in-depth curricula have been written for several towns (Gloucester, Manchester, Beverly). I am more than willing to write one for your town. However, the cost of writing a town-tailored curriculum can be prohibitive. That is why I have started using regional and national history topics and even some science (see below). There are often local connections to these general topics, but they do not have to be re-written for each and every town. Also, many surrounding towns use the curricula for Gloucester or Beverly because their history is so close to these.

Below is a list of available Legends curriculum topics arranged 1) by town, and then 2) by subject. If you do not see what you are interested in, please call me. I have not found a topic yet which cannot be taught using the Legends method.



GLOUCESTER
Legends School Program Curriculum Unit Summaries 

1. The Natural Environment of coastal New England
This unit concentrates on refining the student’s view of the natural world. That view is brought into focus with basic observational exercises in outdoor locations (weather permitting) that are representative of the ecological variety of Cape Ann. We look at plants, animals, the shoreline, air and sky, and the ocean. These observations become the basis for making dances, art, music, and writing as we experiment with ways we can relate to our environment through art.

2. Native Americans and Early Settlers                 
In this residency, we will take a close look at Native American culture and early European settlers. Focusing on cross-cultural interaction, survival, established their economic footholds here (or did not), religious freedom, and developed the first communities. The particular subjects treated are Native Americans of this area, Samuel de Champlain’s exploration of the Gloucester Harbor, the Pilgrims, Myles Standish and Roger Conant, and Reverend Richard Blynman.

3. Italian and Portuguese People and Traditions
In this unit we look at two of the many immigrant communities that make up part of the cultural mosaic that is Gloucester: Italians and Portuguese. Representing the Portuguese culture we study the Azores, Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, and the Crowning Ceremony. On the Italian side, we learn about Sicily, St. Peter’s Fiesta, and the Blessing of the Fleet. Of course, the fishing industry is central to all.

In this unit we will learn about the Gloucester Fishing Schooners and the men who sailed them in their heyday. We will use what we learn about the people and vessels to create movement pieces that reflect the design of the schooner, life on board in the 1800’s, a famous schooner race, fishing methods then and now, and schooners as depicted in art (using Fitz Hugh Lane paintings).

5. Howard Blackburn - Adventurer of the sea
In this unit we take a close look at one of Gloucester’s most lauded heroes, Howard Blackburn. While reading about and listening to his ordeal and subsequent adventures, students will be asked to think concretely (the fishing environment at sea, the jobs performed and dangers faced), relationally (community support), and abstractly (why Blackburn’s story is important to us and what lessons does it have to teach us today).

6. Fitz Hugh Lane - The visionary painter
In this unit, students are guided through Lane’s paintings and introduced to his biographical material, to art as documentation, to the composition of paintings, and taught to look at a piece of art as symbolic of deeper meanings. As many of his paintings are of local landscapes well known to most students, his unit puts the study of history and of art into a very personal and understandable perspective.
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MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, MA
By The Sea Local History Curriculum was commissioned for Legends and written by the Manchester Historical Society.

1) Natural Environment - the stage where history occurs
•    Sea
•    Coastline and Shore
•    Harbor
•    Brooks


2) Trade - the building blocks of a town
•    Small Boat Fishermen
•    Merchant Seamen
•    Privateers
•    Cabinetmaking


3) People in History - the pillars of community
•    Masconomet
•    Abigail Hooper and Richard Trask Family
•    John Perry Allen
•    Coolidge Family
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BEVERLY, MA
Legends School Program Curriculum Unit Summaries for 3rd Grade

1) Natural Environment
The Land
The Bass River
The Sea and Coast
The Air and Sky

2) Native Americans and Early Settlers
Native Americans and Early Settlers
Old Planters: John Balch, Roger Conant, and John Woodbury
Reverend Hale

3) Early Industry and Trade
Farming
Fishing
Timber
Pottery and Brick making
Maritime Trade

4) Maritime Trade
Fishing
Sailing Vessels evolution and design
Pirates and Privateers
The Asia Trade

 
BEVERLY, MA
Legends School Program Curriculum Unit Summaries for 5th Grade

Unit 1: Historical People and Early Events
(from Native Americans and Early Settlers to the Revolutionary War)
1.    Agawams
2.    The Old Planters
3.    Reverend John Hale
4.    The Sugar Riot
5.    John and George Cabot
Unit 2: Maritime Trade
1.    Fishing
2.    Sailing Vessels evolution and design
3.    Pirates and Privateers
4.    The Asia Trade
Unit 3: USS Hannah
1.    Origins - Trade Schooner
2.    Life Onboard
3.    Naval Commissioning
4.    Hannah vs the Nautilus
5.    Hannah Lynch - Privateering
Unit 4: The Revolutionary War
1.    Taxation without Representation
2.    Washington's Naval Base
3.    Privateers
4.    The Home Front - Women and Children
5.    Nathan Hale
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UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
LSP Curriculum Outline

Sub-topic 1 – African Cultures and Traditions

Sub-topic 2 – Slave Traders and the Middle Crossing

Sub-topic 3 –  Slave Labor

Sub-topic 4 –  Slave Escape and the Underground Railroad

Sub-topic 5 – The Abolitionists
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR  (1)
LSP Curriculum Outline for 1 classroom

Team 1 - Prelude to War:
Fighting for the ‘New World’ - The French and Indian War
Taxation -  The Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts
Rebellion - The Boston Massacre and The Boston Tea Party
New Government - Continental Congresses
New Nation - Declaration of Independence

Team 2 - Famous People:
Politics and Communication - John and Samuel Adams
Money and Popularity - John Hancock
Skill and Leadership - George Washington
Courage and Vision - Thomas Jefferson
British Royalty - King George III

Team 3 - Important Battles:
‘Shot heard round the world’ - Lexington and Concord
‘Victory too dearly bought’ - Bunker Hill
‘Wake up you old rat!’ - Fort Ticonderoga
Turning point - Saratoga
Victory! - Yorktown

Team 4 - Issues and Opinions:
The Loyalist’s Position
The Patriot’s Position
No Taxation Without Representation
Democracy

REVOLUTIONARY WAR (4)
LSP Curriculum Outline for 4 classrooms

Class 1 - Prelude to War:
French and Indian War
The Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts
The Boston Massacre and The Boston Tea Party
Continental Congresses
Declaration of Independence

Class 2 - Important People:
John and Samuel Adams
John Hancock
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson

Class 3 - Important Battles:
Lexington and Concord
Bunker Hill
Fort Ticonderoga
Saratoga
Yorktown

Class 4 - Issues and Opinions (not complete):
The Loyalist’s Position
The Patriot’s Position
No Taxation Without Representation
Democracy
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Curriculum 1: NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
1.    Life Cycle of Plants
2.    Water Cycle
3.    Glaciers and the formation of land
4.    Planets, atmosphere, and weather

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ROCKS AND MINERALS
LSP Curriculum Outline for one or two classroooms

Team 1: WHAT IS A ROCK AND A MINERAL?
Team 2: FORMATION OF ROCKS AND MINERAL
Team 3: MINERALS IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Team 4: TELLING MINERALS APART
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