Curated OER
On the Line
High schoolers view a television program that traces the use of the assembly line in mass production and the subsequent conflict between workers' rights and management. They analyze and discuss the portrayal of the American worker over...
Curated OER
Time, Talent, Treasure and Economics
Students work cooperatively to create a quilt. They choose a pattern and determine the specific skills and steps needed to produce that quilt. Labor is divided equally between group members and a quilt is created assembly line style....
Curated OER
On the Road
Students investigate the history of the automobile in the United States. They complete a Webquest, explore the PBS website, answer discussion questions, and locate and discuss newspaper articles about cars and travel.
Curated OER
Assembly Line Burgers
Students explore the reasons why the assembly line was formed and how it improves productivity. They practice with their own assembly line by making "burgers" out of wafers and frosting.
Curated OER
Henry Ford Lesson
Students demonstrate reading comprehension skills, including reading strategies, inference, literal meaning, and critical analysis.
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension: Famous Inventors-Henry Ford
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students use a reading passage on another page to answer seven questions about Henry Ford.
Curated OER
The History of Ethanol in America
Sixth graders explore and examine the production of biofuels from the 1850's to the present. Included in their research is Henry Ford, ethanol, World War I and prohibition. They explain the importance of grains and grasses for the...
Curated OER
Henry Ford and Assembly Line Production
Students study Henry Ford and the imprtance of the history of automotives. They participate in learning stations to assemble diagrams simulating an assembly line. They produce pictures at each station and pass the picture on to the next...
Curated OER
Writing Crazy Crayons
Second graders observe the workings of an assembly line. They classify old crayon pieces by color, melt them in candy molds, package them, and produce advertising literature to sell the product. Students share their work with the class.
University of Arizona
International Studies Association: Mobilizing Public Support for War
A scholarly look at the use of propaganda to influence American support for World War I once the country entered the fray. Read about the Committee on Public Information, examples of harassment of those not deemed sufficiently patriotic,...
Other
National Museum of Industrial History
Explore these exhibitions, previously located in the Smithsonian Institute, which feature the great Americans who contributed to the industrialization of the United States beginning with the nation's centennial celebration. Plan a trip...
The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford Showroom of Automotive History
Learn about automotive history as you browse the collection of The Henry Ford Museum. Enter the showroom to see a complete profile on some of the most important cars ever made, from the 1896 quadricycle to the 1986 Taurus.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Biography of America: Los Angeles (Impact of the Automobile)
Find a short essay that discusses the impact of the automobile on the growth of Los Angeles and its suburban districts during the 1920s.
The Henry Ford
Henry Ford Museum: The Innovator and Ford Motor Company
This resource briefly explains how, with the development of the Model T, the Ford Motor Company became the largest automobile manufacturer in the world during the early 20th century.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Square Dancing
Square dancing has been part of American culture since the colonial settlers blended their varied traditions together. Contains historic photos, and an audio track of "Gents Go Center." Requires RealPlayer.
US Senate
Historical Minutes: An Era of Investigations: 1921 1940
Read these series of essays written by U.S. Senate historians that detail important events and people during the era of investigations in the Senate just before the Great Depression and continuing up to the entrance to World War II. The...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Impact of Technology: Cars
This video segment adapted from A Science Odyssey looks at the invention of the automobile and the development of mass production. [4:21]
Digital History
Digital History: Prohibition
This is a very comprehensive discussion of Prohibition, the reasons supporters pushed for it, the problems with enforcement, and its failure. Read about anti-German sentiment as a reason for Prohibition, the increase in organized crime...
Digital History
Digital History: Business Organizations [Pdf]
After a brief description of various ways that businesses are organized, find out about the monopolies formed in the age of big business in the late 19th century, focusing primarily on Standard Oil. [pdf]
University of Michigan
Automobile in American Life and Society: Sociological Department
Read a brief description of the purpose of the Sociological Department of Ford Motor Company as it tried to improve the living conditions of employees of the company.
University of Michigan
National Endowment for the Humanities: Automobile in American Life and Society
An interactive website that looks at all aspects of the automobile in American life. Teacher and student resources are included.
PBS
Pbs: Ford Installs First Moving Assembly Line
A look at the history of the assembly line discusses how the use of this tool was initiated by Henry Ford in his Automobile plant.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Henry Ford
One-page profile of influential innovator, Henry Ford, whose vision and ideas created low-cost forms of production that made cars affordable to the average American.
PBS
People's Century: On the Line
An overview of the assembly line and labor before World War II. Read two personal interviews from men who worked for Ford during this era. Includes teaching guide and links to additional resources.