Introduction
5th Grade Social Studies:
(13) Economics. The student understands patterns of work and economic activities in the United States. The student is expected to:
(A) compare how people in different parts of the United States earn a living, past and present;
(B) identify and explain how geographic factors have influenced the location of economic activities in the United States;
You just finished your time machine. The only problem is you haven't figured out just how to get the time machine to travel WITH you. It will only send you to a time, but once you are there you can't come back. You and your fellow scientists have always been interested in living in the early days of the United States around the 1800s, and now is your chance. However, before you get stuck in a time you may not want to be stuck in, you need to do your research! You will figure out how the early Americans earned a living in the different parts of the country, and how they compare to earning a living now. You will also look at how the geographic factors influenced economic activity to get a better understanding of where you may want to live. That is if you decide to time travel!
Task
You must research the differences between how different Americans earned a living in the early days of the US versus how they earn a living now. You will do this by creating a T chart with your group. The you will come up with a list of pros and cons to accompany the T chart.
With that information in mind each of you will research a seperate part of the United States.
West, Midwest, North East, South East, and South West.
Find out how geographical factors affect economic growth.
Once you have done that you should meet back up with your group and decide on the best possible place to live in the United States in the 1800s.
Then, you will write a journal entry reflecting your thoughts about the new information.
Process
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ASYIqG7HY Begin by watching this video with your group to get a quick idea baout how life in 1800s United States was like.