Lesson Plan

Erie Canal

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This Erie Canal lesson plan also includes:

While canals are not the way to travel today, in the first half of the nineteenth century, they were sometimes the best way to move goods and people. Scholars examine primary sources, including maps and pictures, to investigate the role canals played in the development of the American economy. Then, they consider how they would they have liked to travel back in the day.

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CCSS: Designed
Instructional Ideas
  • Ask learners to discuss why they think the canal was built using images and maps included in the resource
  • Create a bar graph to show what kind of transportation options class members would prefer in the 1820s
Classroom Considerations
  • Pupils may need background on the 1820s to fully understand concepts in the lesson
Pros
  • Options for extension are relatable to other areas of study
  • Images are interesting and easy to adapt to a variety of classroom activities
Cons
  • None
Common Core