Primary Source Activities: National Road, Photograph
Author: John Bowers
Grade(s): 9
Description
Allow students, in groups or individually, to examine the primary source linked under Resources to the right, while answering the questions below in order. The questions are designed to guide students into a deeper analysis of the source and sharpen associated cognitive skills.
Level I: Description
1. What kind of activity is going on in this photograph?
2. Was this photo taken in the 19th or 20th century?
Level II: Interpretation
1. What time period do you think this photo was taken?
2. What kinds of clothing are the workers wearing?
Level III: Analysis
1. Why was this activity taking place?
2. Why are there no women pictured in this photo?
Standards
- Geography 6-8, Benchmark D: Explain reasons that people, products and ideas move from place to place and the effects of that movement on geographic patterns.
- Indicator: Grade 8, GLI 3. Explain how colonization, westward expansion, immigration and advances in transportation and communication changed geographic patterns in the United States.
- History 9-10, Benchmark B: Explain the social, political and economic effects of industrialization.
- Indicator: Grade 10, GLI 1. Explain the effects of industrialization in the United States in the 19th century including: a. Changes in work and the workplace; b. Immigration and child labor and their impact on the labor force; c. Modernization of agriculture; d. Urbanization; e. The emergence of a middle class and its impact on leisure, art, music, literature and other aspects of culture.
- Geography 9-10, Benchmark B: Analyze geographic changes brought about by human activity using appropriate maps and other geographic data.
- Indicator: Grade 10, GLI 2. Describe how changes in technology, transportation and communication affect the location and patterns of economic activities and use of productive resources.
