Question/Problem 6: What were the major inventions and new technologies of the late 1800s?

Objectives

Description of lesson/activity

Resources

1. recognize the late 1800s as a time of great technological growth in the United States.

2. report information about individual people who contributed to the technological growth of the United States.

1. Students should read appropriate chapters in their textbooks.

2. The teacher should explain that the class will be creating an Industrial Hall of Fame, which will highlight important people, technological advances, or inventions which contributed to United States industrial growth in the late 1800s. This Hall of Fame will include placards (printed or written announcements for display in a public place). Each student should:
   1. Review the accompanying "Industrial Hall of Fame Nominees" list, the "Directions for the Industrial Hall of Fame," and the "Placard Assessment Criteria."

   2. Choose an important person, technological advance or invention which contributed to United States industrial growth in the late 1800s. These choices need not be limited to the list provided.

   3. Create a placard which explains:
      - who was responsible for the contribution?
      - what was invented or introduced?
      - where did this happen?
      - when did this happen?
      - why was this significant?
      

   4. Make placard eyecatching. It should be illustrated; name of person, technological advance or invention must stand out; be colored or shaded. It can be any shape but not bigger than 8x11.

   5. Place their own name on back of placard.

3. After placards are completed, they should be displayed and discussed. Students could vote to decide which nominees should be included in the Hall of Fame. The "Placard Assessment Criteria" should be used by the teacher to assess the placard.

4. The teacher should lead a discussion about the changes brought about by these inventions and advances and the way of life that was therefore engendered.
   - improvements in industry
   - more efficient methods in business
   - making life easier in the home
   

5. Discussion should be led regarding how few women were on this list and how this has changed in contemporary times.

• Resource: Industrial Hall of Fame Nominees
• Resource: Directions for the Industrialization Hall of Fame
• Resource: Placard Assessment Criteria