The Hudson River is one landform that is particularly associated with the state of New York. One way the Hudson River can be implemented into the classroom is during science class, when students can complete projects on the types of animals found in the river, as well as environmental effects on the river. Dioramas and similar visual projects work well for these topics. The Hudson River can also be incorporated into social studies, where students can learn about important historical events that took place there. Students can reenact such events as Theordore Roosevelt's famous trip or significant Revolutionary War battles.
The Delaware River played a role in American history when George Washington's army crossed the river on Christmas day during the American Revolution in 1776. The river can serve as a backdrop to learning about the nation's first president. Student activities can include making their own versions of America's first flag or Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze's painting of Washington crossing the Delaware.
Niagara Falls is easily implemented into lesson plans. Students can learn the geography of the falls by drawing their own maps or by making a class map of the region. Including the Great Lakes, which release into Niagara Falls, will teach them more about how the waterfalls flow. Also, because Niagara Falls acts as a link between the United States and Canada, a lesson on the falls is the perfect opportunity to discuss our friends to the north by having students write reports on various aspects of Canadian culture such as food, language, and their monetary system, to name a few examples.
The Adirondack Mountains are home to hundreds of animal species. Assigning students different animals to study will give them further insight into animal life. The Catskill Mountains can be used in reading lessons, as they were made famous by Washington Irving's tales of Rip Van Winkle. Try assigning students various parts of the story to illustrate, particularly those that detail mountain scenery.