Changing Times: 1860-1900

A WebQuest for 7th Grade (American Industrial Revolution)

Designed by

L. Dougherty

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

You are living in the late 1800s.  There are big changes taking place around you:  new inventions, ideas, and products.  How will all these changes affect you?  What are some of the innovations you are seeing?  Who is responsible for these transformations in your daily life?

The Task

Create a character that is living in the late 1800s.  Explore some of the new inventions of the time, and find out about the people responsible for them.  Prepare a presentation board to share your findings with others.

The Process

1. Choose a character.
1. Think about the people who may have lived in the late 1800s.  Where does your character live?  What does your character do?  How old is he or she? 
2. In paragraph form, write a description of the character. 
3. Use a word processor to type your paragraph.

2. Create a chart.
1. How did the changes of the late 1800s affect your character?  Make a list of all the new ideas, inventions and products that came about in the late 1800s.  Take note of how these affected the different regions and people of the United States.
2. Using your list and notes, make a chart.  Make columns headed “Before” and “After.”  Use the chart to describe your character’s life before these advancements, and how the individual’s life changed after their introduction.
3. Use a word processor or spreadsheet to type your chart.

The Industrial Revolution

http://www.darex.com/indurevo.htm

http://campus.northpark.edu/history//WebChron/WestEurope/IndRev.html

http://members.tripod.com/xu_chen/indusrevolt/

Inventors and Other People

Eli Whitney

http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~quinn/localpages/Eli.html

Francis Cabot Lowell

http://acad.bryant.edu/~history/h364proj/fall_99/kroner/page2.htm 

Robert Fulton

http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/rivers/river2.htm 

James Watt

http://www.aagm.co.uk/watt_jc.htm 

Samuel F. B. Morse

http://knight.city.ba.k12.md.us/faculty/ss/samuelmorse.htm 

Alexander Graham Bell

http://campus.northpark.edu/history//WebChron/Technology/AGBell.html

Thomas Alva Edison

http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/scientists/edison.html

3. Make a map.

A.     Where does your character live?  Use an outline map of the United States to identify where that person lives.  Will your character have to relocate after the introduction of the innovations of the time? 

B.     On the map, show the route your person will take to get to his or her new home. 

Outline Maps of the United States

http://www.eduplace.com/ss/ssmaps/us1860.html

4. Write a news article. 
1. Using only historical facts, write an article about one of the inventions or other changes taking place in America.  Be sure to start your article with a good, strong lead sentence.  Your article must answer the questions “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.” 
2. Write an attention-getting headline for your article.  Look at examples in a daily newspaper to help you write a good headline.
3. Use a word processor to type your article.

Formula for a good newspaper article

http://www.media-awareness.ca/eng/med/class/teamedia/newshan2.htm

5. Write a letter. 

A.     Write a letter from your character’s point of view describing how one or more of the new inventions has changed your daily life.  Use your “before and after” chart to help you.

2. Use a word processor to type your letter.  Be sure to use proper letter format. 

6. Make a display. 
1. Compile all your information into an attractive display to share.
2. Don’t forget to include a bibliography.
3. Be sure to include pictures in your presentation.

MLA Bibliographic Guide

http://www.sccd.ctc.edu/~library/mlacite.html

Evaluation

Research Rubric

Poster Rubric

Conclusion

Changes in industry in the 1800s did not only revolutionized production of goods.  It altered the lifestyle of most Americans.  By completing this activity and displaying your findings for others, you will have learned how daily life changed in the United States in the last half of the nineteenth century.

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion