NPS Photo - From WebRangers program
Protect the Harbor is an interactive on-line activity which allows students to decide where forts should be placed to protect important harbors throughout the United States.
Governors Island is now closed to general public access for the Summer 2011 season. No public access is permitted until the 2012 Summer season begins. School group programs are not being offered at this time. The information below is a reflection of the program offerings from the Summer 2011 season. For more information, or to reserve a tour for the 2012 season, please call us Monday-Friday at 212-825-3045.
If you are looking for an off-island experience, please download the Junior Ranger booklets below. Children can earn one Junior Ranger badge for a booklet they complete. They can also play the game below or become a Web Ranger. Scroll down to learn more.
NPNH Teacher Workshop
NPS Photo
Part of the new exhibit, "Journeys: the Peopling of America," focuses on music and is the inspiration for the emphasis on music in this workshop.
National Parks of New York Harbor
Teacher Workshop:
Journeys Through Music
Join us on Sunday, December 11, 2011 from 9:00am to 3:00pm for a brand new FREE workshop for elementary school teachers.
Examine how immigrants have used music to help preserve cultural traditions and family life in America. Participants will begin their day at Castle Clinton National Monument and take the ferry (free for participants!) to Ellis Island where they will go on a special tour of the Immigration Museum, examine primary sources, and learn from a scholar about how immigrants use music to maintain cultural ties to their new home. Participants will also receive digital resources for use in the classroom. Find new and engaging ways to bring the stories of immigration alive in the classroom!
To register for this FREE workshop, e-mail us your name, school name and address, grade level you teach, phone number, and preferred email address.
This workshop is being offered in collaboration with the National Parks of New York Harbor and funded through the National Park Service's History and Civics Program. The History and Civics funding was appropriated to establish a pilot program for the teaching of American history and civics in the National Parks.
Consider Having Your Students Play this On-line Game Before You Visit - read on to learn more...
In 1878, Governors Island was the home for U.S. Army headquarters on the east coast. Officers moved on to the island with their families and overtime, a large military community grew, and included a public school, PS 26, a movie theatre, a YMCA and clubs such as the boy and girl scouts.
The community grew around the three historic island forts, Fort Jay, Castle Williams and South Battery. These forts, along with others in New York Harbor, helped to protect the city from attack during the War of 1812 and beyond.
To learn more about this early history, why these forts were vitally important to the young City of New York, and similar forts in other harbors around the country, play (part of the program). You will also find out where the other forts in New York Harbor were located...you may be surprised.
Have fun!
Curriculum-based Education Programs
Are you a motivated local school teacher interested in bringing the history of Governors Island to the classroom? If so, you may want to assist us in pilot testing or the research and design of curriculum-based education programs.
Please contact us at 212-825-3044 for more information.
Junior Ranger Program
Though the island is currently closed for the season, children of all ages can still become an official Governors Island National Monument Junior Ranger by completing our Junior Ranger booklet.
Junior Ranger Activity Booklets
Want to learn more about the forts on the island and have fun at the same time? Consider becoming a Junior National Park Ranger and earn an official Junior Ranger badge from Governors Island National Monument. You have two books to choose from.
You Are the Engineer: Pretend you are a fort designer. Explore Fort Jay and the outside of Castle Williams, answer the questions in the booklet and design your own fortification.
Design Your Very Own Statue of Liberty: The President has just commissioned you to design a new statue for the harbor that will represent freedom just like Lady Liberty does now. Are you up to the task?! Answer these quick questions to learn about symbolism, and then create a new statue that represents liberty for you.
Download the Junior Ranger booklet of your choice and mail completed books for a ranger to review at:
Park Ranger
Governors Island National Monument
10 South Street-Slip 7
New York, New York 10004-1900
Become a National Park WebRanger
Join in the fun by participating in the National Park Service's on-line Junior Ranger program for kids of all ages. If you love your National Parks, Monuments and Historic Sites, this site is for you. Play more than 50 games and learn about your National Parks.
Share park stories and pictures with other WebRangers around the world in the "My Community" section. Now there are over 49,000 registered WebRangers; and over 1,600 have earned WebRangers patches by completing all of the activities.
