Check out the video tour of the Erie Canal Museum below. It gives you the basic information about the Erie Canal and it’s impact. While the narration could be more energetic, the video comes with review questions that students can answer while watching it to help reinforce the information they hear and see. The museum has also provided a document with over 20 different assignment ideas on the Erie Canal. I would allow students to pick one assignment and complete it. Some additional research may be required for some of the assignments, but a good variety of choices are given (blueprint, timeline, limerick, speech, poster, etc.).
Ultimately, whether you have a lot of time or just a few minutes, make sure your students can answer the following questions about the Erie Canal:
- Where is the Erie Canal located?
- Why was the Erie Canal built?
- How did the Erie Canal affect shipping, transportation, and growth in the United States?