Posted June 19, 2012

Roosevelt's home in Hyde Park, New York.

If you’re planning on visiting the Franklin D. Roosevelt Estate in Hyde Park this summer, there is a good chance you’ll recognize a few familiar voices guiding you through your tour.

Last school year, Shaker Junior High School students visited the home of the 32nd President of the United States. While they enjoyed their trip, students felt that the recorded tour guide tape that led them through the trip was a bit boring, only talking about facts and details. The students were much more interested in stories about Roosevelt as a person and his life at his former residence.

“The language was very advanced for younger children and the students had a difficult time following along,” SJHS social studies teacher Kathryn Peterson said.

Peterson, along with SJHS librarian Judi Stott spoke with FDR estate officials about the students’ reactions. The officials proposed having SJHS students write and record their own tour podcasts.

“We talked to the people at the estate about the students’ feelings and they asked us if our students would be interested in recording podcasts to appeal to younger audiences taking the tour,” Peterson said.

Thus began a near year-long project in which students researched Roosevelt, his wife Eleanor and his vast estate in Dutchess County.

“They were able to take their research and begin writing the scripts for their podcasts,” Stott said.

The student-centric podcasts contained such content as family history; interesting anecdotes about the grounds of the estate, such as that the family dogs are buried next to Elenor and Franklin.

In total, three podcasts were recorded for the three different trails on the estate, including Eleanor’s Walking Trail, the Farm Lane Trail and the Top Cottage Trail.

 » LISTEN TO THE STUDENTS' PODCASTS

Not only did the students further their knowledge on FDR, but they developed critical writing and storytelling skills.

“They did a wonderful job,” Stott said. “They worked together, really engrained themselves in the subject matter and produced three terrific podcasts for the many young visitors who will come to the FDR estate.”

In May, the students traveled down to the estate to listen to their podcasts in action.

“They thought it was great,” Stott said. “You could tell they really enjoyed it.”

Peterson and Stott have plans to do similar projects next year and will be working with the Vanderbilt Mansion, also in Hyde Park.

“We’re excited,” Peterson said. “I’m sure next year’s students will do just as good of a job as this year’s did.”