By Elyse Fuchs

OverviewFor this inquiry project the class will be

learning more about their community. They will be researching the history of the city of Evansville, as well as historical sites in Evansville and famous and important people from Evansville. Finally, they will be discussing ways in which they can help the community. Then, they will choose a community service project to complete as a class.

History of Evansville Gather information about why and how

Evansville was established and who the founders and early settlers were.

Some helpful websites include:home.att.net/~Local_History/IN_History.htmhttp://www.downtownevansville.org/about/

history.phphttp://www.evansvillegov.org/

History of Evansville Ask the students to name some reasons that a

community might be built. List the students’ answers on the board. Water Rapids Crossroads Resources (oil, coal)Government

Ask the students why these are important to a community.

History of Evansville Ask the students to name some reasons why

Evansville might have been established.Water

Ohio River Transportation of goods Ports for ships

History of Evansville Have the students research the following

questions using the internet:Why was our community started?How was it started?Who started it?Who were the early settlers of our community?

Discuss their findings as a class.

History of EvansvilleAsk the students how our community has

changed. Store openings/closingsRoad constructionBuilding of new buildingsDestruction of old buildingsNew neighborhoodsNew technology, etc.

History of Evansville Ask the students to name some reasons how

Evansville contributed to its region and to the state. Provided a place to deliver goods.Provided a place for ships to dock.Contributed to the distribution of goods

because of the Ohio River.

Historical Sites of Evansville Ask the students to name some historical

monuments in Evansville. Make a list on the board. L.S.T. 325Four Freedoms Monument Angel Mounds (Newburgh)Bosse Field Garvin Park Rietz Home Willard LibraryReitz Home

Historical Sites of Evansville Have the students go to the internet to find

more historical sites.Choose one.Use the internet to find out more information

about that place.

Historical Sites of Evansville Answering the following questions about the

historical site you chose.Where is it located?When was it built?Why was it built?Was it built in memory of something or

someone?What purpose does it serve? Do people still use this site today?

Famous and Important People of Evansville Ask the students to name some people that

are/were important in the history of Evansville. List the students’ answers on the board. Don Mattingly- Baseball PlayerReitz family- prominent family in the city of

Evansville Jamey Carroll- Baseball Player Bob Griese- Football Player Robert D. Orr- Former Governor of Indiana Matt Williams- Television Producer John W. Foster- U.S. Secretary of State Avery Brooks- ActorRon Glass- Actor

Famous and Important People of EvansvilleGo to the internet to search for more names.Choose one.Use the internet to find out more about that

person.

Famous and Important People of Evansville Answer the following questions about the

person you chose.When were they born?Where did they go to school?Why were they important in the history of

Evansville?Are they still alive? If so, where are they now?

If not, how are they remembered?

Community Service in EvansvilleAsk the students to name some ways that we

can help the people of our town? List the students’ answers on the board. Collect money for those in need. Collect canned goods.Help at the local soup kitchen. Pick up litter at a park.Plant a garden at a local park. Donate old clothes or toys that you don’t use

anymore.

Community Service in Evansville Ask the students to name some places where we can do

these things. (They may need some help with specific places)Food bank (Tri-State Food Bank)Homeless Shelters Albion Fellows Bacon CenterHolly’s House House of Bread and Peace Good Will St. Vincent DePaul’s Vanderburgh Humane SocietyEVIE program through Keep Evansville BeautifulHowell WetlandsLocal parks Patchwork Central

Community Service in Evansville Have the students decide on a community

service project as a class. They could choose from any of the following:Canned food driveClothing and toy driveFundraiser for a charity of their choicePlant a garden at a local park of their choicePick up litter at a local park of their choice Volunteer at the Humane SocietyVolunteer at the local soup kitchen

Community Service in Evansville After the community service project has been

decided on, the class will carry out the project. Some of the projects require a fieldtrip to the site, and others could potentially include a fieldtrip after the project is completed. For example, in order to volunteer at the soup

kitchen, you have to go to the soup kitchen. In order to plant a garden at the park, you have to go to the park.

Running a canned food drive or clothing and toy drive does not require a fieldtrip, but the students could take a field trip to deliver the collection of cans/clothing/toys, and possibly learn more about how the place runs.

Incorporation with Expressive Arts They could make a model of the historical

site they chose. They could draw a picture of the famous and

important person they chose.When choosing what kind of community

service project they want to do, they could draw a picture of it.

3rd Grade Indicators 3.1.2- Explain why and how the local

community was established and identify its founders and early settlers.

3.1.3-Describe the role of the local community and other communities in the development of the state's regions

3.1.4- Give examples of people, events and developments that brought important changes to the regions of Indiana

Resources(2009). Evansville, Indiana Local History

Database. Retrieved from http://local.evpl.org/• Ann Mensch (1998, 1999). Indiana Local History and

Genealogy. Retrieved from home.att.net/~Local_History/IN_History.htm

• Gray Loon Marketing Group, Inc. (2009). History: Downtown. Retrieved from http://www.downtownevansville.org/about/history.php

• Vision Internet (2009). City of Evansville. Retrieved from http://www.evansvillegov.org/

• Advameg, Inc. (2009). River Location Draws Flatboat Commerce. Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Midwest/Evansville-History.html