Curated OER
The Impact of the Cotton Gin
Fourth graders study Eli Whitney and the cotton gin. In this lesson on the cotton gin, 4th graders use primary and secondary sources to gather information about Eli Whitney, the cotton gin that he invented and how it changed the south.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Factory vs. Plantation in the North and South
North is to factory as South is to plantation—the perfect analogy for the economy that set up the Civil War! The first instructional activity in a series of five helps teach beginners why the economy creates a driving force for conflict....
Curated OER
Types of Entrepreneurs
What does it take to be an entrepreneur? What traits does a person need? Find out as you and your class brainstorm along with this presentation. The traits of inventors, types of entrepreneurs, and their role in the economy are...
Curated OER
The Pre-Civil War Era (1815–1850)
In this online interactive U.S. history learning exercise, learners respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about 19th century America. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive learning exercise.
Curated OER
Kensington Mansion: Plantation, Sharecroppers, Tenants
Eleventh graders investigate the significance of the Kensington Mansion. In this South Carolina history lesson, 11th graders take field trips to the mansion and research primary and secondary sources about plantations, sharecropping, and...
Curated OER
Writers and the Old South Myth
Students are introduced to authors of the South. In groups, they compare and contrast the pastoral and counter pastoral traditions present in some forms of Southern literature. They use a database to examine the covers of the books...