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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Carnegie libraries: The future made bright

http://www.nps.gov/history/NR/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/50carnegie/50carnegie.htm

A lesson plan for grades 5 and 8–12 Information Skills and Social Studies

Provider: Teaching With Historic Places: National Park Service


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Carnegie libraries illustrate many important aspects of turn-of-the-century America. The money to build them came from a man whose beliefs mixed aggressive capitalism with a commitment to public philanthropy. Carnegie’s gifts were built on efforts already begun by others. These library supporters had a variety of motives, including a belief in learning and an attempt to shape society along the lines they preferred.

Objectives for students:

  • to understand how Andrew Carnegie epitomized the American dream of “rags to riches”
  • to explain why Carnegie chose libraries to be among his first and foremost benefactions
  • to examine the impact of libraries in America and how they reflect the values of the society they serve
  • to explain the effects of philanthropy on the United States
  • to determine how their own community libraries are being supported and how they were supported in the past

This lesson is based on the Medford Free Public Library, the Carnegie Free Library, and the Carnegie Libraries of Washington Thematic Resource, several of the thousands of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Activities in “Pulling it all Together” include research, an Inquiry Question based upon analysis of a political cartoon, historical context explaining the role of libraries in American History, and use of maps and images.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Information Skills (2000)

Grade 5

  • Goal 1: The learner will EXPLORE sources and formats for reading, listening, and viewing purposes.
  • Goal 3: The learner will RELATE ideas and information to life experiences.
    • Objective 3.05: Describe how information and ideas are influenced by prior knowledge, personal experience, and social, cultural, political, economic, and historical events.

Grade 8

  • Goal 1: The learner will EXPLORE sources and formats for reading, listening, and viewing purposes.
  • Goal 2: The learner will IDENTIFY and USE criteria for excellence to evaluate information and formats.
    • Objective 2.03: Recognize the diversity of ideas and thoughts by exploring a variety of resources (print, non-print, electronic) and formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia, web-based).
  • Goal 3: The learner will RELATE ideas and information to life experiences.
    • Objective 3.05: Describe how information and ideas are influenced by prior knowledge, personal experience, and social, cultural, political, economic, and historical events.
  • Goal 4: The learner will EXPLORE and USE research processes to meet information needs.

Grade 9–12

  • Goal 1: The learner will EXPLORE sources and formats for reading, listening, and viewing purposes.
  • Goal 2: The learner will IDENTIFY and USE criteria for excellence to evaluate information and formats.
    • Objective 2.03: Recognize the diversity of ideas and thoughts by exploring a variety of resources (print, non-print, electronic) and formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia, web-based).
  • Goal 3: The learner will RELATE ideas and information to life experiences.
    • Objective 3.05: Describe how information and ideas are influenced by prior knowledge, personal experience, and social, cultural, political, economic, and historical events.
  • Goal 4: The learner will EXPLORE and USE research processes to meet information needs.
    • Objective 4.05: Gather information from the most effective resources (print, non-print, electronic).

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 11–12 — United States History

  • Goal 5: Becoming an Industrial Society (1877-1900) - The learner will describe innovations in technology and business practices and assess their impact on economic, political, and social life in America.
    • Objective 5.02: Explain how business and industrial leaders accumulated wealth and wielded political and economic power.

Grade 5

  • Goal 2: The learner will analyze political and social institutions in North America and examine how these institutions respond to human needs, structure society, and influence behavior.
    • Objective 2.06: Explain the role of public education in the United States.
  • Goal 5: The learner will evaluate ways the United States and other countries of North America make decisions about the allocation and use of economic resources.
    • Objective 5.05: Evaluate the influence of discoveries, inventions, and innovations on economic interdependence.

Grade 8

  • Goal 5: The learner will evaluate the impact of political, economic, social, and technological changes on life in North Carolina from 1870 to 1930.
    • Objective 5.02: Examine the changing role of educational, religious, and social institutions in the state and analyze their impact.
    • Objective 5.04: Identify technological advances, and evaluate their influence on the quality of life in North Carolina.
    • Objective 5.05: Assess the influence of the political, legal, and social movements on the political system and life in North Carolina.

Grade 10

  • Goal 7: The learner will investigate how and why individuals and groups make economic choices.
    • Objective 7.05: Explain the impact of investment on human, capital, productive, and natural resources.