1. Introduce place names in the New York City area that reveal Dutch influence.
Explain to students that, although the Dutch language is no longer spoken in the New York City area, many of the place names still reveal Dutch influence. By studying place names, you can often learn interesting stories of migration and settlement. Analyze the Bronx as a model. Explain to students that the Bronx is a borough, or a section of neighborhoods in New York City. This area of New York City was once known as Bronck's Place—named after Jonas Bronck, a Dutch settler who was originally from Sweden and settled in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam (now New York City) in 1639. Ask: What other groups may have influenced place names in the New York City area? (Dutch, Swedes, Norwegians, French Walloons, and Native Americans)
2. Distribute the worksheet Origins of New York Place Names.
Distribute the worksheet and have students complete it independently. Provide support, as needed.
3. Have a whole-class discussion about what can be learned from the finished maps.
Ask:
- What does the completed map tell you about diversity in New Netherland? (There were many Native Americans, and the Dutch settlers included Swedes, Norwegians, and Walloons.)
- Why do you think the Dutch named many places for cities in their homeland? (They hoped to create communities in New Netherland similar to the communities they left. They wanted reminders of their homeland.)
- What do the names tell you about the land itself? (The ecosystems were diverse, and the area included marshes, swamps, woods, and grasslands. Some of the animals included rabbits and beaver.)
Informal Assessment
Use the provided Origins of New York Place Names Answer Key to check students' worksheets for completeness and accuracy.
Extending the Learning
"Wall Street" is a well-known term that refers to the location in New York of the financial industries that are involved with the stocks and trade in the United States. The name Wall Street dates back to the 17th century when the Dutch built a barricade wall around their settlement on Manhattan Island to protect themselves from invading forces. Have students use library resources to research the origins of this place name, learn more about Dutch history in New York City, and present the information they find to the class.
Subjects & Disciplines
- Geography
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- identify the different groups that influenced place names in the New York City area
- analyze linguistic information on a map of New York City
- describe patterns of diversity and land characteristics in New Netherland
Teaching Approach
- Learning-for-use
Teaching Methods
- Discussions
- Hands-on learning
Skills Summary
This activity targets the following skills:
-
Critical Thinking Skills
- Analyzing
- Understanding
- Geographic Skills
Connections to National Standards, Principles, and Practices
National Council for Social Studies Curriculum Standards
- Theme 3: People, Places, and Environments
National Geography Standards
- Standard 1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, geospatial technologies, and spatial thinking to understand and communicate information
- Standard 9: The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth's surface
National Standards for History
- U.S. History Era 1 (5-12) Standard 2: How early European exploration and colonization resulted in cultural and ecological interactions among previously unconnected peoples
What You’ll Need
Materials You Provide
- Colored pencils
- Highlighters
- Pencils
- Pens
Required Technology
- Internet Access: Optional
- Tech Setup: 1 computer per classroom, Projector
- Plug-Ins: Flash
Physical Space
- Classroom
Grouping
- Large-group instruction
Background Information
Studying place names in New York City today can reveal information about the diverse origins of this city, including the influence of the Dutch who settled New York City as New Amsterdam in 1609.
Prior Knowledge
- None
Recommended Prior Activities
Vocabulary
people and land separated by distance or culture from the government that controls them.
difference.
a person's native country or region.
(1626-1664) Dutch settlement on Manhattan Island, renamed New York by the British.
community or village.
person who migrates and establishes a residence in a largely unpopulated area.
Interactives
Partner
Funder
-
Population Distribution 17th-19th Century
The total number of people on Earth has been increasing for centuries, and it looks as though that trend will continue into the future. The first big growth spurt for the world population occurred in the mid-20th century. However, prior to this population boom, in the 17th to 19th centuries, the population demographics were considerably different than those of today. Globally, this time period was defined by movements of colonization, conquest, trade, industrialization, and the transatlantic slave trade. These events redistributed people on the eve of one of population’s biggest booms. Looking back at where and how people lived in these centuries can help us learn more about why the world population is the way it is today. Teach students about the history of the world population with this curated collection of resources.
-
New York Toponyms
Learn about the linguistic origins of New York's modern-day place names, or toponyms.
-
A History of Trade in New York City
Students analyze the seal of the city of New York, use maps, and read and discuss a passage to understand how trade connected Native Americans and Dutch sailors in early New Amsterdam.
-
-
Population Distribution 17th-19th Century
The total number of people on Earth has been increasing for centuries, and it looks as though that trend will continue into the future. The first big growth spurt for the world population occurred in the mid-20th century. However, prior to this population boom, in the 17th to 19th centuries, the population demographics were considerably different than those of today. Globally, this time period was defined by movements of colonization, conquest, trade, industrialization, and the transatlantic slave trade. These events redistributed people on the eve of one of population’s biggest booms. Looking back at where and how people lived in these centuries can help us learn more about why the world population is the way it is today. Teach students about the history of the world population with this curated collection of resources.
-
New York Toponyms
Learn about the linguistic origins of New York's modern-day place names, or toponyms.
-
A History of Trade in New York City
Students analyze the seal of the city of New York, use maps, and read and discuss a passage to understand how trade connected Native Americans and Dutch sailors in early New Amsterdam.
-