Curated OER
Ann Arbor Growth & Immigration
Third graders describe some of the factors that brought early settlers to Ann Arbor. They read Narrative-A Trip from Utica, New York, to Ingham County, Michigan in 1838. As an added challenge, 3rd graders can use maps to track Silas...
Curated OER
Early 19c Industrialization in America: The Market Revolution
Posing a question about the effects of American Industrialization, this presentation provides viewers with a comprehensive look at the 19th century. From the "Lowell Girls" to the Iron Horse, these slides would be an excellent supplement...
Curated OER
Town Growth and Immigration
Fourth graders describe how Michigan has changed and stayed the same over time. They explain reasons why people settled/settle in Michigan, then explain the role of geography on the settlement of Michigan.
Curated OER
Inventor's Challenge Review
For this science worksheet, students match each invention or device to its inventor listed on the right. There are 32 inventors listed and some may be used twice. Then they order the items in each group from oldest to newest and state...
Curated OER
Influential Inventions
In this inventions worksheet, learners write the description and impact of 4 influential inventions. Students do this for the cotton gin, the reaper, the steamboat, and the steam locomotive.
Curated OER
Place and Date
In this social studies worksheet about the past, students use information from a web site to write a caption, place, and date for each of 9 photographs given. Then they describe some of the changes that have occurred in transportation...
Curated OER
John Fitch: Pioneer Steamboat Inventor
Students explore the transportation revolution brought about through the use of steam power to move boats over water. They practice note taking skills by taking notes from an article.
Curated OER
Interpreting Photographs
Students examine photographs and complete research on river transportation. They describe the beginnings and innovations of the steamboats. Students research the development of trade from the 1700s through the 1800s. They write a...
Curated OER
Westward Expansion
Students examine how the events that took place during the time of the Westward Expansion affected the pioneers and Native Americans through the seven lessons of this unit. Enhancements in transportation over time are also a part of the...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Spotlight Biography Inventors
This site provides information on American inventors Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney, Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Singer, Wilbur Wright, Thomas Alva Edison, Elias Howe, and Alexander Graham Bell. It offers pictures from and...
Other
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
This great site offers information about the Chesapeake Bay, its history, people and it's stories. "Tour" the museum to find interesting information.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Robert Fulton
This website contains biographical information about Robert Fulton, including the events leading up to his design of the first successful steamboat.
Other
Arabia Steamboat Story
The story of the Arabia is tragic; however, the adventure of the rediscovery of the steamboat is fascinating. Take a glimpse back in time at the cargo brought back to life: French perfume, guns, bottles, buttons, and bells; all items...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Was There an Industrial Revolution?
This lesson plan from EDSITEment discusses the actual factors leading to the Industrial Revolution in the post-civil war era. Contains many links to primary source materials.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Henry Miller Shreve
This frontiersman helped people travel and trade in the nation's interior by opening up the only viable highways -- American rivers.
PBS
Pbs Who Made America? Henry Miller Schreve
This frontiersman helped people travel and trade in the nation's interior by opening up the only viable highways -- American rivers.
Other
Montana History and Prehistory: Steamboating on the Missouri River
Traveling West was never easy! Here is a good description of the many ways people traveled. Of particular note is the paragraph on the steamboat crews.
Other
Steamboating the Rivers
A detailed site providing information on the history of steamboats and many facts on this older form of transportation. Take a virtual tour and learn about some popular steamboats of the time.
Archaeological Institute of America
Archaeology: Steam Machines
Information on the Civil War's naval confrontations and the impact of steamboats as used by the United States Navy during the war.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Inventors and Inventions
The industrial revolution in America spawned the inventions of many inventors, who improved technology in many different areas. See how transportation, agriculture, and communications were transformed because of these inventions.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Fulton's Submarine
Discusses the technological and political conditions which led to Robert Fulton's invention and development of the submarine. Includes some biographical information and some graphics of early submarine sketches. (Text is the actual radio...
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Inventing the Riverboat
A discussion of Robert Fulton's and Henry Shreve's contribution to the evolution of the steamboat. Includes photos of early steamboats and some biographical information on Fulton. (Text is the actual radio transcript of a syndicated...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Robert Fulton
Learn how the steamboat got its start at the hand of a curious and energetic inventor-Robert Fulton. (In Spanish)
Other
Cincinnati Library: Reflections on the River: Tall Stacks
This site focuses on the Tall Stacks Music Arts and Heritage Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. It offers information about the upcoming Tall Stacks and links to its history.