Database Application Activity

How the World's Columbian Exposition was reported in the newspapers in Kentucky and in California.

Subject/Grade Level
Middle School History or Social Studies

Focus:
In this lesson students will find primary sources to explore how the 1893 World's Fair, held in Chicago, was reported by a nearby state, Kentucky, and a distant state, California. Students will learn how to analyze and evaluate each source.

This project will be completed within the context of reading and analyzing selected newspaper articles, opinion pieces and advertisements.

Standards Assessed:
Information Literacy 2: The information literate student evaluates information critically and competently.

History 2: Students know how to use the processes and resources of historical inquiry.

2.2 Students know how to evaluate primary and secondary sources of historical information.

Reading and Writing 1: Students read and understand a variety of materials.

Adjust reading strategies for different purposes such as reading carefully…finding information to support particular ideas.

Assessment:
Students will find three or more primary sources using the newspaper database that address the activities and impact of the Columbian Exposition. They will determine whether these sources are primary or secondary. The sources will be analyzed as to importance. The sources may include photographs, advertisements, letters to the editor and newspaper articles.

Time:
Class time required approximately 3 periods of 45 minutes each.

Teacher Preparation:
Teachers will become familiar with the database "Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers (BETA)"

POSSIBLE PROCEDURES:

1.Students will read Chapter 6 of The Gilded Age
Clark, by Judith Freeman. Strikes, the World's Columbian Exposition, and Imperialism: 1892-1896 Page 140-168.

2. Students will be introduced to primary sources and secondary sources using http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/resource.html

3. Using the database, students will find 6 primary sources that reported on the activities of the World's Columbian Exposition. 3 from Kentucky and 3 from California.

Follow along sheet