Southern burial traditions usually included the planting of antique roses at gravesites, a practice that spread to other areas. Students will visit cemeteries, document their locations using latitude and longitude readings, and photograph rose bushes found at gravesites. Noting the death dates on the gravestones will approximate the age of the rose bushes and the rose bushes will be identified by classification. The photographs will be used to create a virtual rose bush gallery. This is the introductory activity in series on local history using antique roses as the vehicle for the series.
What is the latitude and longitude of each rose bush? (If it was not possible to record this information for each rose bush, perhaps because a GPS unit was not available, then record the latitude and longitude of each cemetery as closely as possible.)
When do you think this rose bush was planted?
Why do you think each rose bush was planted in its location?
What does a rose bush look like?
Where are the cemeteries you would like to visit? Give the names and locations.
Students will use a GPS unit to establish and record the locations of cemeteries where rose bushes are to be observed.
Students will identify cemetery rose cultivars by color, type, and approximate date of planting.
Students will prepare a virtual album of rose blossoms and the location of rose bushes.
Latitude - Longitude Maps
Free, printable maps showing latitude and longitude are available at this site, from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), which is the national membership association for Amateur Radio operators. Although ARRL uses the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geographic Names Information System (GNIS, the ARRL site is easier to use.
Cemeteries of the United States
This web site by Interment.net provides a listing of nearly all cemeteries in the United States. At the site, select your state, then select your county; you will be provides with a listing of the cemeteries in your county. The listing almost always includes the latitude and longitude of the cemeteries.
Rose Classifications
This web site is by Mark Whitelaw, American Rose Society (ARS) Consulting Rosarian. The International Registration Authority for Roses (IRAR) and the ARS have divided roses into four general classifications, one of which is antique roses, as shown in the table at this web site.
Camera
A digital camera is preferred. However, a regular 35 mm camera and a scanner to digitize images will suffice.
Global Positioning System Unit
A handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) unit will give precise location of cemeteries.
Rose Bush - Cemetery Gallery
Upload your images of rose bushes and cemeteries using this form.
Where Do Your Roses Grow: Assessment Rubric
This rubric is designed to be used as a student checklist and/or a teacher evaluation tool. It is based on a point grading system. To calculate a percentage grade, divide the points earned by the points possible. Total Points Possible: 30
Old Garden Roses and Beyond - This web site is by Paul Barden; it is dedicated to the appreciation of the Old Garden Roses of the 19th century and before. You will find photos and descriptions of some of the best of these included.
Locate and print the Roses Data Collection Sheet.
Use the Latitude - Longitude Maps website to obtain a map providing the latitude and longitude for your city. Print this map.
Use the Cemeteries of the United States website to identify cemeteries in your area. Choose three cemeteries to visit.
Visit the three cemeteries chosen.
Photograph at least one rose bush in each cemetery. Take at least one close-up image of the blossoms, one image of the entire bush, one image of the cemetery marker by the bush, and one image of the cemetery sign identifying the cemetery (if the cemetery has a sign).
If possible, use the handheld GPS to locate and record the latitude and longitude of the rose bush.
Use the Rose Classifications website to identify the rose bushes. Record this information.
Upload the digital images to the computer. Organize the images in folders. Create a folder for each cemetery visited. In each folder, place the pictures taken at the cemetery and label the images with significant names.
This activity can be done as a class activity or, if used with upper level students, it can be assigned to be performed by students on their own.
Instruct students on proper attire and behavior at cemeteries.
This activity can be performed without a GPS unit; students can still be held accountable for knowing and using latitude and longitude.
It is estimated that about 30 minutes of Internet time will be needed to acquire maps and to locate cemeteries. Time for the trips to the cemeteries depends on their proximity. About an hour at each cemetery will be required to locate and photograph the rose bushes and grave stones. In the classroom, another hour will be necessary to classify the rose bushes and to upload images.
Please use proper attire and behavior at the cemeteries.
Our class is studying history, cemeteries, and roses. The activity requires that your son or daughter visit local cemeteries and photograph rose bushes and grave stones. Consider accompanying our class on a field trip to conduct these activities, or accompanying your daughter or son if this is assigned as an out-of-class lesson.
Please enter a Registration Key to continue.