Commonplace today, the zipper and button construction of blue jeans was a major innovation. Using the patent for the J.W. Davis and Levi Strauss innovation, individuals comb an image of the fly for clues. Afterward, they discuss its importance and significance. 

Concepts

fashion, fashion design, inventions, american inventors, the american west, westward expansion, patents, primary source images, primary source analysis, primary sources

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Build primary source skills using the activity
• Offer as supplement or enrichment activity for instruction on the American West

Classroom Considerations

• Learners need computer access or a copy of image to complete the lesson

Pros

• Lesson offers a unique anecdote from American history
• Discussion prompts critical thinking about how seemingly minor innovations can be important

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.3.1 RI.3.2 RI.3.3 RI.3.10 RI.4.1 RI.4.2 RI.4.3 RI.4.10 RI.5.1 RI.5.2 RI.5.3 RI.5.10 RH.6-8.1 RH.6-8.2 RH.6-8.3 RH.6-8.10