Students review the U.S. patent laws by researching Eli Whitney's petition for a renewal on his cotton gin patent. They examine documents to assess the impact of the cotton gin, role-play the patent hearing and discuss the effects of...

Students are introduced to an early American inventor, Eli Whitney, and his experiences with the Patent Office. The economic importance of the cotton gin and its impact on slavery are also addressed.

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.

Eleventh graders answer the question Why Westborough? Why did their town develop as it did, what types of industry were here and why. They are introduced to journal writing. Students free write about ideas that stand out from class. ...

Consisting of of a pre-test, a class discussion, an oral presentation, and a web exploration and internet research activity your young historians will engage with the content of this plan. Your class will define the differences between...

Students examine cotton production and milling. They compete in a hand-ginning contest to realize how difficult it was to separate the seeds from the fibers of cotton. They discuss why Eli Whitney's cotton gin was an important invention.

Here is part three of a fine three-part series which covers the period after the American Revolutionary War. Topics covered include Eli Whitney and the cotton gin, Congress' abolishing the importation of slaves in 1808, shifting patterns...

Students conduct research and present their findings in a persuasive manner. Then they work in groups to enhance the development of cooperative work skills. Students also present their findings through persuasive skills in writing and/or...

Assess your class's knowledge of cotton history and things made from cotton with a set of worksheets from the Cotton Museum. Along with the history and textile component of this crop, pupils use their research to unscramble vocabulary...

Ken Burn's epic documentary miniseries The Civil War, broadcast in 1990, was the most-watched PBS program ever. A question sheet helps viewers keep track of events in the first episode of the documentary.

A scientific video focuses on ten famous inventions and the person credited with inventing each one. Then it describes the bigger picture of each invention and how it relied on those before them and around them. 

New ReviewWhile almost forgotten today, the cotton gin could be seen as one of the causes of the Civil War. The innovation led to more cotton production, which in turn undermined political power balances in the 1800s. Individuals unpack the...

Students explore standardization and mass production by creating verbal visual vocabulary tables. They discover how industrial inventions increase profits for businesses. Students create three-tiered definition concept trails using...

Posing a question about the effects of American Industrialization, this presentation provides viewers with a comprehensive look at the 19th century. From the "Lowell Girls" to the Iron Horse, these slides would be an excellent supplement...

For this online interactive U.S. history worksheet, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about 19th century America. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.

Tenth graders analyze works from the period of the Industrial Revolution in England and identify the cultural values depicted and inferred that paved the way for the Industrial Revolution to occur at this time. They create captions that...

Students explore agriculture by completing a worksheet in class. In this cotton industry lesson, students identify the use of the cotton gin and its impact on the economy and slavery. Students view images of the cotton gin on the...

What was plantation life like in the Deep South? If your pupils can recall a few tidbits from lecture, they're sure to win this fun review game. They answer 15 questions all related to southern life, plantation owners, and slavery.

Eighth graders create their own newspaper and write articles about things related to the Industrial Revolution. They include five different inventions from the time period and explain how they either benefited or harmed society. They...

Thirty one possible tic-tac-toe games are included in this presentation. Students must answer a question in each x and o position. When the grid position is selected the question appears and the answer is generated on the next click....

What caused the American Civil War? This slide show examines seven potential causes: influential people, slavery, Compromise of 1850, addition of Texas, Missouri Compromise of 1820, the Industrial Revolution, and expansion to the west....

Quiz your students or prepare them for the big exam with this presentation. Included are 24 multiple choice questions related to Early American Government, The Colonial Period, Westward Expansion, and State Formation.

This online, interactive instructional activity provides 21 matching questions about the industrial revolution. It covers people, events, inventions and more. Quiz-takers submit their answers and receive their score immediately.

Help your scholars get a grasp on the chronology of the Industrial Revolution with this "Innovative Inventions" learning exercise. They discover what year various items were invented, and then create a timeline placing each invention...