Fourth graders study the lasting influence of the Pony Express, Overland Mail Service, Western Union, and the building of the transcontinental railroad, including the contributions of Chinese workers to its construction. They explore the...

Students explore the American cattle industry history. In this United States history and reading comprehension cross curriculum lesson plan, students read an article about the history of longhorn cattle, then answer comprehension...

Young scholars participate in a simulation in which they transition between a farm economy to a factory economy They discover labor relations during the 19th and 20th century. They discuss the impact mass produced goods on the economy.

Discover Oklahoma's first farmers. Read about 14 different agriculture workers and their contribution to Oklahoma's farming. After reading, have your class complete several activities such as researching an agriculturist, writing a...

The benefits and drawbacks of convict leasing following the Civil War are the focus of a lesson that asks groups to examine primary source materials to gain an understanding of the program before individuals decide whether they...

Students identify different industries of the Industrial Revolution in America through the following: text, web research and image analysis. They evaluate a poster created by their classmates using a Poster Analysis Form.

The California Gold Rush was not just an opportunity for the male gold miners sifting for shiny nuggets. Small groups read accounts of the ways women took advantage of the influx of workers to run hotels, bake pies, and wading out into...

Students explore muckraking. In this American history lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. Students respond to discussion questions pertaining to muckraking...

Eighth graders compare/contrast population, railroad mileage, manufacturing plants, and industrial workers between the Union and Confederate States in 1860; students analyze effects of the resources of the Union and Confederate Forces on...

Students illustrate cause and effect of pollution to human health through the analysis of an image from the American Industrial Era. They investigate how industry affected rest of the community or city.

Students discuss problems immigrants may have when coming to a new country. They take on the role of a law maker from the era and create an action plan and policy based on samples they read (links provided). Students discuss ways their...

When your upper elementary class returns in the fall, have them identify and define the beginnings of the labor movement and Labor Day in the United States. They thoughtfully reflect on changes that have occurred in the way we think...

In this primary source analysis worksheet, students analyze the song "Corrido of the Uprooted Ones." Students respond to 3 short answer questions about the lyrics of the song.

Three scenarios that examine the role of unions in the fast-food industry and pro sports are used to launch a discussion of present-day union influence.

An investigation of the 1911 New York City Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire leads class members to examine primary and secondary source materials related to the event and apply what they learn about the working conditions at the time to...

Industrialization and mechanization of products such as cars have deeply affected the US economy. The class discusses the affects of Ford's assembly line production of automobiles. They watch a video, fill out worksheets, and investigate...

Fifth graders explain how workers performing specific tasks contributes to the total production output of the workers.

Students work in groups to read information about one of four featured factories. Students share their readings with the class, and compile a list of "Actions to be Taken" that will be included in their final paper. Student compare their...

Students analyze the work of auto industry labor unions. In this labor unions lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on the details of various sit-down strikes. Students respond to discussion...

Young scholars examine the role of labor unions. In this labor union lesson, students watch "Viva la Causa" and discuss the working conditions that led farm workers to strike. Young scholars also read a handout regarding labor unions and...

Students take a closer look at the global industrial economy. In this current events instructional activity, students listen to a lecture about the infrastructure of the global economy, specifically how it affects Britain's Rover...

Young scholars observe coal mine pictures. In this US history instructional activity, students analyze the pictures realizing that history is shown in pictures and then write a newspaper article about life in a coal town...

Students explore what it was like to live in a coal mining town.  In this history lesson plan, students discuss specific details about the lives of coal company workers and their families.

Students discover industries prevalent in nineteenth-century Texas cities and identify resources required to perform occupations. They examine how geographic areas contribute to the development of industries and write a letter applying...