A new textbook will make its debut in Northampton Area fourth grades this school year, but unlike other books, purchased from huge publishing companies, this one is a local production.
"The Lehigh Valley, Pa. Student Textbook," was written by a team of teachers and will introduce students to the geography, industry and history of this area.
The teachers who wrote the 58-page book are John Brehm, Linda Brown, Louise Kinter, Cheryl Reynolds and Bonnie Schwartz. John Roman, Moore school principal, also helped with the book.
Maps, drawings and photographs reinforce the printed text throughout the book.
Robert Gilly, director of curriculum, said the book was the creation of a group of teachers brought together to evaluate the social studies program. The teachers decided after an in-house evaluation that the Northampton County course being taught did not meet the needs and a course including both counties was needed.
"Some teachers had lots of data they collected over the years. We asked for volunteers to meet and develop a text. We canvassed area schools and were able to get other sources of information. We got all the data together and it was more than we could use; but we got it all together and spent several days sifting through it," Gilly said.
A draft was prepared and sent to each fourth grade teacher for reaction, review and comments. Revisions were incorporated into the text and the final draft was prepared.
The final draft was printed in the district and will be available in the classrooms when schools open Sept. 10. The students may not use the softbound textbook until the spring.
They will study the state before focusing in on the area, Gilly said. By holding off the new text until spring, students canmake field trips to locations mentioned in the book, he added.
The book was written on district word processors and printed in the district print shop.
When the time comes to update, the word processors facilitate changes to the text making deletions and additions easier.
The book opens with an introduction about changes - either by man or nature - that continually affect the area.
The area as it was millions of years ago is described in the first chapter, where maps show the mountains, rivers and creeks that dominate the geography. Dinosaurs and mammoths once roamed the Valley, students will read, and they will learn what the area looked like when those creatures walked through the region.
The natural resources that contributed to the economic progress of the Valley are discussed. There are descriptions of limestone, sandstone, jasper, zinc and slate and where they can be found. The book details how the natural resources contributed to the industrial base of the Valley. Natural landmarks, including Bake Oven Knob, Hawk Mountain, Lehigh Gap and the Appalachian Trail are detailed.
Another category, "Caverns, Rocks and Other Natural Wonders" includes Lost River Cavern in Hellertown, Crystal Cave in Kutztown and Bauer's Rock near Mountainville. Climate is included in the first chapter.
Industry and the difference between service and production jobs are detailed. Among the facts is the mention that an estimated 57 million blouses are manufactured each year in area clothing factories.
Some of the major employers and the dates they began business; from Bethlehem Steel in 1857 to Ingersoll-Rand in 1961 are listed, as well as brief descriptions of the companies and their products.
Agriculture, described as always being a leading industry, is included. There were once 3,460 farms in the Valley, now there are 835. Corn is the major crop, with 50,000 acres devoted to its production.
Dairy products are also produced here, with 70 million gallons provided by three major plants in Allentown, Lansdale and Schuylkill Haven.
The section on history features information on the first residents of the area, the 10 tribes of Indians known as the Lenni Lenape. Details of their daily lives are provided for the students from information on their homes, tools and hunting methods. There is a glossary of Indian terms and a fable describing how the Lehigh River was formed. Legends were preserved by word of mouth.
Some of the words from the Indians, and their translation are: Catasauqua - thirsty earth; Coplay - smooth running stream; Lehigh - where there are forks in the stream; Monocacy - stream with large bends; Pocono - stream between mountains; Saucon - mouth of a creek and Tatamy - Delaware Chief.
The Walking Purchase of 1737 is detailed with written text and a map. The early settlers, Germans, Scotch-Irish and Moravians, their arrivals and customs are explained.
Fastnacht Day and the Oschter Haws or Easter Bunny are described in a section devoted to folklore. The Egg Tree is another local Easter tradition that is still seen in various areas. Holidays and their traditions are also included.
Folk art pottery, wrought iron pieces and Fraktur are described for the students.