Lesson Plan: City Planning and Change
Author: Jason Freewalt
Subject: History, Geography
Grade(s): 9, 10
Benchmarks and Indicators
- 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: d. Urbanization.
- Geography 9-10, Benchmark B: Analyze geographic changes brought about by human activity using appropriate maps and other geographic data.
- Indicator: Grade 9, GLI 4. Explain the causes and consequences of urbanization including economic development, population growth and environmental change.
- 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.
Lesson Summary
The purpose of this lesson is to learn about the birth, growth, and change of villages and cities.
Pre-Assessment/Diagnostic
Ask the students, "Why is every city laid out differently?"
Students should provide answers such as: That they started during different time periods; some are on rivers or lakes; some are built around industry; etc.
Explain that today we will look at several villages and cities to determine some of the factors affecting city planning as well as some of the factors that change cities over time.
Instructional Procedures
- Log onto Ohio Memory to preview this resource for the students. Instruct them to use it to find maps and/or photographs of villages and cities throughout Ohio. They will then find maps of the same cities and towns on Mapquest and Google Earth in order to evaluate historical changes to the area. They will then answer the question in this portion on the City Planning and Change Handout.
- Using their insights from this real historical development, students will build their own cities in SimCity Classic, which can be played without cost on the internet. Students will follow the directions on the site to build their city, and answer the questions on the City Planning and Change Handout.
- Assist the students in building their simulated cities with the SimCity program.
- Tomorrow we will discuss the studentsÂ’ answers to the questions on both portions of the City Planning and Change Handout.
Post-Assessment
Post-assessment is based on the student's answers to the City Planning and Change Handout. Use this rubric to assess their worksheets.
Material Resources
- For Students:
- Access to the Internet, specifically the Ohio Memory website
- Individual copies of the City Planning and Change Handout
- Access to the Internet to play the free online version of SimCity
