USF's WebQuest
Title: Growing Pains: Robber Barons and the Growth of U.S. Industry, 1865-1914
Author: John E. Pitcairn
Date: April 24th, 2005
Dear Colleague:
Innovations in technology and new business combinations following the Civil War helped the United States develop into a great industrial power. By the year 1900, U.S. industrial production was the greatest in the world. This unit examines the factors that brought about this dramatic growth, the development of these new technologies and forms of business, as well as their impact on workers and labor relations. This unit will use video, lecture (both overhead and PowerPoint-based), examination of primary sources (primarily cartoons), class discussions (based on Kagan's Cooperative Learning methods), a WebQuest (on the life, work, and philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie), and a whole class activity (a mock trial of Andrew Carnegie).
Teacher's Page
Goals/Objectives: 1. Students will be able to describe how the national railroad system changed the American economy.
2. Students will be able to describe how new discoveries and inventions helped industry grow.
3. Students will be able to explain and illustrate the development of "robber barons" and large corporations.
4. Students will be able to explain why workers demanded changes in their working conditionings and the growth of labor unions.
5. Students will be able to analyze the benefits and problems arising from the rapid growth of American industry after the Civil War.
6. Students will be able to analyze and evaluate the life and contributions of one of the central figures of the period: Andrew Carnegie.
NCSS Theme:
VII. Production, Distribution, & Consumption: How people organize for the
production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
Days:
15 (one 45-minute period each day).
Methods:
This unit will use video, lecture (both overhead and
PowerPoint-based), examination of primary sources (primarily cartoons), class
discussions (based on Kagan's Cooperative Learning methods), a WebQuest (on the
life, work, and philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie), and a whole class activity (a
mock trial of Andrew Carnegie).
WebQuest Summary:
Goals/Objectives:
1. Students will be able to conduct historical research
using both internet and print sources.
2. Students will be able to analyze and evaluate the life and contributions of one of the central figures of the period: Andrew Carnegie.
3. Students will be able to present a written evaluation of Andrew
Carnegie's contributions to U.S. industry and society.
Days:
Three (one 45-minute period each day).
Content:
Students will research the life, work, and philanthropy of
Andrew Carnegie.
Methods:
Students will conduct research primarily using the
internet. They will work in cooperative teams to analyze and evaluate the
results of their research. Finally students will write evaluations of
Andrew Carnegie's life, work, and philanthropy from specific points of view.
Unit Information:
Background Resources
Web-based Subject Matter Content PBSí The American Experience: Andrew Carnegie http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carnegie/ Carnegie Corporation of New York http://www.carnegie.org/
Wikipedia: ìAndrew Carnegieî http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Carnegie Wikipedia: ìIndustrial Revolutionî http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Revolution 42eXplore: ìIndustrial Revolutionî http://www.42explore2.com/industrial.htm
Web Pedagogy Content The WebQuest Page http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquest.html USF WebQuest Gateway http://www.coedu.usf.edu/webquest Computers in the Classroom http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/resources/integration/index.html Internet Safety http://www.coedu.usf.edu/internetsafety
Other Resources Sunshine State Standards http://sunshinestatestandards.net/ NCSS Social Studies Standards http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/
Unit Lesson Sequence
Day 1 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Bell Work Students review scaffold for video. Video Scaffold: The Emergence of Modern America, The Gilded Age [Word document] Video Introduction to and overview of the post-Civil War period, characterized by prosperity and industrialization that thinly disguised blatant corruption in politics and business known as "The Gilded Age." VIDEO: Just the Facts: The Emergence of Modern America -- The Gilded Age. Thousand Oaks, CA: Goldhill Home Media, 2003.
Day 2 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Bell Work Railroads Lead the Way (map of transcontinental railway lines with supporting questions). Section Focus Transparency 19-1. (Section Focus Transparencies for The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). Lecture & discussion questions Railroads lead the Way: expansion of the railroads; growth of the railroads stimulates the economy; railroads change America. Growth of Industry: Railroads Lead the Way (Ch. 19, ß1). The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). Homework Overview of section. Read Ch. 19, ß1, and complete Guided Reading Activity ("GRA") 19-1.
Day 3 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Bell Work American Inventors (matching activity). Section Focus Transparency 19-2. (Section Focus Transparencies for The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). Lecture & discussion questions Inventions: an era of inventions; changes in communication and transportation; a changing society. Growth of Industry: Inventions (Ch. 19, ß2). The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). Homework Overview of section. Read Ch. 19, ß2, and complete GRA 19-2.
Day 4 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Bell Work Standard Oil Monopoly: analysis of primary source (political cartoon re John D. Rockefeller and the Standard Oil company). Primary Source Analysis - Rockefeller Cartoon [Word document] and Section Focus Transparency 19-3. (Section Focus Transparencies for The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). PowerPoint Presentation (Part 1) & discussion questions An Age of Big Business: foundations for growth (factors of production, raising capital, growth of corporations; the oil business (Rockefeller). "Big Business" (PowerPoint file). Growth of Industry: An Age of Big Business (Ch. 19, ß3). The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). Homework Overview of section. Read Ch. 19, ß3, and complete GRA 19-3.
Day 5 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Bell Work Comparison of John Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie (Venn diagram). Reteaching Activity 19-3 (support materials for The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). PowerPoint Presentation (Part 2) & discussion questions An Age of Big Business: the steel business (Carnegie); the beginning of government regulation.. "Big Business" (PowerPoint file). Growth of Industry: An Age of Big Business (Ch. 19, ß3). The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). Homework Analysis of Andrew Carnegie's role in the growth of industry (using a History Alive! strategy -- the perspective piece) "Perspective Piece: Andrew Carnegie" [Word document] -- overhead and handout for instructions.
Day 6 Back to Top
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Bell Work Analyze entry from Lyman Cotton Mills 9/9/1889 payroll to understand the role of workers during the time period. Enrichment Activity 19-4. (support materials for The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). Lecture (Part 1) & discussion questions Industrial Workers: working conditions; formation of labor unions. Growth of Industry: Industrial Workers (Ch. 19, ß4). The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). Homework Overview of section. Read Ch. 19, ß4, and complete GRA 19-4.
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Bell Work The Homestead Strike (cause and effect chart with questions). Section Focus Transparency 19-4. (Section Focus Transparencies for The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003). Lecture (Part 2) & discussion questions Industrial Workers: the formation of labor unions; the unions act. Growth of Industry: Industrial Workers (Ch. 19, ß4). The American Journey. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003).
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Introduce WebQuest Computer Lab Rules; review WebQuest activity; assign roles and teams. Computer Lab Rules [Word document]. WebQuest Activity Cooperative work teams (Prosecution Team & Witnesses, Defense Team & Witnesses, and Judges) research the life, work, and philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie. "Saint or Sinner: The Trial of Andrew Carnegie" WebQuest.
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)WebQuest Activity Cooperative work teams complete research on Andrew Carnegie and begin to work on research outlines (to be used as a guide during the trial and to be submitted as evidence). "Saint or Sinner: The Trial of Andrew Carnegie" WebQuest. Homework Students continue working on their research. "Saint or Sinner: The Trial of Andrew Carnegie" WebQuest.
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)WebQuest Activity Cooperative work teams complete research. "Saint or Sinner: The Trial of Andrew Carnegie" WebQuest. Homework Students draft final version of their trial statement. "Saint or Sinner: The Trial of Andrew Carnegie" WebQuest.
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Mock Trial Trial of Andrew Carnegie: Prosecution Student-prepared trial statements.
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Mock Trial Trial of Andrew Carnegie: Defense Student-prepared trial statements.
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Mock Trial Trial of Andrew Carnegie: Summations and Judges Deliberations Student-prepared trial statements/opinions.
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Chapter Review History Jeopardy! The Growth of Industry (Ch. 19) Ch. 19 Jeopardy grid overhead transparency [Word document]; Ch. 19 Jeopardy questions [Word document].
Lesson Plan Outline
Method (Attention Getter, Lecture, Callout Group, etc) Content/Key Ideas/Concepts/Facts
Materials
(Transparencies, audio, handouts, etc)Test The Growth of Industry (Ch. 19): matching, multiple choice, short essay, and bonus sections. Test: Chapter 19.
Please feel free to modify the lesson plan as you see fit to work with your state's standards, school's curriculum, and/or time frame. Should you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at jpitcairn@academyatthelakes.org.
With thanks and best wishes
,John E. Pitcairn
Credits/References: