LEARN NC

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

Fueling the fires of American industrialization

http://www.foresthistory.org/Education/Curriculum/Activity/activ3/activ3.html

A lesson plan for grade 8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies

Provider: Forest History Society


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In this lesson from the Forest History Society in Durham, North Carolina, students examine the role wood played in the American Industrial Revolution. By calculating how much wood was consumed by U.S. railroads before and after the invention of wood preservatives, in addition to reading about the use of barbed wire for fencing, students will observe the connection between technology and forest conservation. Students also will learn how research and development have contributed to the diverse use of forest products in everyday household items.

Students will:

  • understand the connections among industrialization, the advent of the modern corporation and material well-being;
  • understand the effects of rapid industrialization on the environment;
  • analyze the role that supply and demand, prices, incentives, and profits play in determining what is produced and distributed in a competitive market system; and
  • show through specific example how science and technology have changed people’s perceptions of the social and natural world, such as in their relationship to the lands, animal life, family life, and economic needs, wants and security.

Visit the Forest History Society’s Education Table of Contents for other modules in this series.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 8

  • Goal 4: The learner will continue to refine critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate print and non-print materials.
    • Objective 4.02: Analyze and develop (with limited assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:
      • using knowledge of language structure and literary or media techniques.
      • drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
      • considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 8

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including scatterplots) to solve problems.

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 8

  • Goal 1: The learner will analyze important geographic, political, economic, and social aspects of life in the region prior to the Revolutionary Period.
    • Objective 1.05: Describe the factors that led to the founding and settlement of the American colonies including religious persecution, economic opportunity, adventure, and forced migration.
  • 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 5.04: Identify technological advances, and evaluate their influence on the quality of life in North Carolina.