Gilded Age Innovators: A Journey Through Time

High School Grade Project 1 week

Gilded Age Innovators: A Journey Through Time

Mia J Shanklin Allen

8.2.c

8.2.b

8.2.a

8.2.d

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Purpose

The project aims to immerse high school students in the transformative period of the Gilded Age through hands-on, collaborative experiences. By engaging with primary sources and real artifacts, students will explore the era's impact on urbanization, industrialization, and socio-economic changes. The project encourages critical thinking and personal reflection, connecting historical insights to contemporary issues, and fostering a deeper understanding of how past events shape the present.

Learning goals

Students will analyze the impact of urbanization, industrialization, and immigration during the Gilded Age, identifying key figures and events that shaped the era. They will create a digital exhibit using primary sources to explore how these changes influenced labor conditions, political corruption, and social dynamics. Through collaborative projects and interactive experiences, students will draw connections between historical and contemporary socio-economic issues.

Standards

8.2.c - Increased urbanization and industrialization contributed to increasing conflicts over immigration, influenced changes in labor conditions, and led to political corruption.
8.2.b - Population density, diversity, technologies, and industry in urban areas shaped the social, cultural, and economic lives of people.
8.2.a - Technological developments changed the modes of production, and access to natural resources facilitated increased industrialization. The demand for labor in urban industrial areas resulted in increased migration from rural areas and a rapid increase in immigration to the United States. New York City became the nation's largest city, and other cities in New York State also experienced growth at this time.
8.2.d - In response to shifts in working conditions, laborers organized and employed a variety of strategies in an attempt to improve their conditions.

Products

Students will create a digital exhibit that showcases artifacts and narratives from the Gilded Age, utilizing primary sources from the National Archives. They will also develop a Shark Tank-style pitch, presenting a designed invention inspired by technological advancements of the era. These products will be shared during a 'Gilded Age Gallery Walk' and evaluated through peer and teacher assessments, focusing on historical accuracy and creativity.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Gilded Age Gallery Walk,' where students explore curated photographs from the National Archives. Encourage them to note key figures and events that defined the era. This immersive experience will set the stage for understanding the transformative impact of the Gilded Age on the United States.

Exhibition

Students will present their digital exhibits in a "Gilded Age Digital Showcase," where each group will set up a station displaying their artifacts and narratives. The event will be interactive, allowing peers, teachers, and community members to explore the exhibits and engage with students about their research and design process. To enhance the experience, students will incorporate multimedia elements such as audio narrations or video clips to bring the Gilded Age to life.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Project Launch - Host a 'Gilded Age Gallery Walk' where students explore curated photographs from the National Archives. Students will note key figures, events, and characteristics of the Gilded Age.	Activity 2: Group Work Session - Students form small groups to begin brainstorming and planning their digital exhibit. They select themes based on their interests and the gallery walk insights.	Activity 3: Research and Source Gathering - In the computer lab, students use primary sources from the National Archives to gather artifacts and narratives that will form the basis of their digital exhibit.	Activity 4: Design of Invention - Students begin designing a technological invention inspired by the Gilded Age's advancements, preparing for their Shark Tank pitch.	Activity 5: Reflection and Discussion - Organize a group discussion where students share their initial findings and reflect on how these historical events connect to current socio-economic issues.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: A detailed group project plan outlining the theme and components of their digital exhibit. 2. Deliverable 2: An initial draft of the design for their Gilded Age-inspired invention.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Curate a selection of photographs and primary sources from the National Archives for the gallery walk. 2. Prep Task 2: Arrange for computer lab access and ensure availability of digital tools for research and exhibit creation. 3. Prep Task 3: Coordinate with a local museum for a virtual tour or field trip to enhance understanding of Gilded Age artifacts. 4. Prep Task 4: Gather resources on technological advancements of the Gilded Age to support the invention design activity. 5. Prep Task 5: Prepare discussion prompts and materials for the reflection session, linking historical events to modern issues.