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Eli Whitney's Patent for the Cotton Gin
Students review the U.S. patent laws by researching Eli Whitney's petition for a renewal on his cotton gin patent. They examine documents to assess the impact of the cotton gin, role-play the patent hearing and discuss the effects of...
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The Cotton Gin
Students are introduced to an early American inventor, Eli Whitney, and his experiences with the Patent Office. The economic importance of the cotton gin and its impact on slavery are also addressed.
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The Impact of the Cotton Gin
Fourth graders study Eli Whitney and the cotton gin. In this lesson on the cotton gin, 4th graders use primary and secondary sources to gather information about Eli Whitney, the cotton gin that he invented and how it changed the south.
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Thoreau
Eleventh graders answer the question Why Westborough? Why did their town develop as it did, what types of industry were here and why. They are introduced to journal writing. Students free write about ideas that stand out from class. ...
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Cotton Production and Milling
Students examine cotton production and milling. They compete in a hand-ginning contest to realize how difficult it was to separate the seeds from the fibers of cotton. They discuss why Eli Whitney's cotton gin was an important invention.
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Interchangeable Parts Revolutionize Clock-making
Students consider assembly line production. In this instructional activity on Industrialization, students explore rifle manufacturing then create a workshop in the classroom to assemble clocks. They determine the pros and cons of...
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Technology: Mass Production and Standardization
Students explore standardization and mass production by creating verbal visual vocabulary tables. They discover how industrial inventions increase profits for businesses. Students create three-tiered definition concept trails using...
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Oxidation: How Can It Be Proved?
Students explore the process of oxidation. In this lesson about oxidation, students observe four different demonstrations. Students watch examples of oxidation in order to understand the process. Students discuss the chemical reactions...
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King Cotton
Sixth graders investigate the farming process for cotton and its impact on the United States history. In this cotton farming lesson, 6th graders read background information on the cotton farming process and discuss the role of slavery in...
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Writers and the Old South Myth
Young scholars are introduced to authors of the South. In groups, they compare and contrast the pastoral and counter pastoral traditions present in some forms of Southern literature. They use a database to examine the covers of the...
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Connecticut Complicity
Eleventh graders take a closer look at slavery in Connecticut. In this slavery activity, 11th graders research the contributions of Connecticut residents who spoke out about the issue of slavery. Students take on the personas of the...
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Nebraska Entrepreneur Success Stories
Students explore entrepreneurs of Nebraska. In this business and social studies instructional activity, students research Nebraska entrepreneurs to discover the history of their successful company.
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The Industrial Revolution and Women
Students learn about inventions of the Industrial Revolution and their impact on life. In this Industrial Revolution lesson, students look at how the Industrial Revolution changed the work experience from farms to factories. They tell...
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INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Tenth graders identify causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution, analyze the benefits and negative consequences, describe the operation of British government, and identify British social and political reforms resulting from the...
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The Inventions and Effects of the Industrial Revolution
Students understand that the Industrial Revolution began in England, spreading to the rest of Western Europe and the United States and with it came an increased demand for raw materials from the Americans, Asia, and Africa.
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Nebraska Entrepreneur Success Stories
Students study and discuss various entrepreneurs from their home state and then prepare a proposal for a business they would like to own and operate in the future.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Eli Whitney's Patent for the Cotton Gin
This National Archives and Records Administration site relates the history of Eli Whitney and his remarkable inventions. Links to sites with patent information on the cotton gin. Tons of teacher's resources can be found at this site.