This lesson is designed to introduce the industrial revolution to students. They will learn about some of the key inventions that affected people in the nineteenth century and their effects on families, especially women. The work of children in supporting the family will also be explored.

Learners will describe the significant impact that philanthropists have made in American civil and political life.

Learners will identify qualities that exemplify philanthropists and recognize those qualities in a local philanthropist.

Students will describe the work of foundations and nonprofits, identify local foundations in the community, and explain why the people connected with these organizations can be considered local heroes.

Learners will research the lives of key Americans, from the colonial period through Reconstruction, who advanced science and improved the common good. Learner research will be summarized using the obituary literary format.