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History Lessons By Teachers

An Investigation of Tools: A Historical Perspective

Created 01 June 2009 by Benjamin Rubin

Grade Level(s): lower elementary (K - 3)
Historical Era(s): Beginnings to 1600, Colonial 1600 - 1750, New Nation 1750 - 1800, Expansion 1800 - 1860, Civil War Era 1860 - 1880, Progressive Era 1880 - 1914, Two World Wars 1914 - 1945
Content Area(s): US History, Science


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Sap Bucket

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Bifacial blade with modern haft

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Tobacco Hatchet

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Axe with modern haft

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Onion Shovel

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Split Birch Broom

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Broom Pounder

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Broad Ax

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Ditch Plow

Summary and Objective

Students will understand that people used more primitive tools in the past. Students will understand that materials used to create everyday tools were often times found locally, and tools were frequently made by the owner or someone he knew rather than a factory far away.

Teaching Plan

Step 1. Students will congregate at their desks and respond to a question written on the board. "What would you do if it were time to work in the garden, but your tools were locked in the garage and you couldn't get in?" After several responses, the teacher will ask, "What did tools look like long ago?" "How were they made when we didn't have large machines and factories to build them?"

Step 2. Students will create quick illustrations of what they believe a tool from long ago might look like. They can share their pictures and describe what their tool was used for.

Step 3. After student sharing, begin to look at photos of tools from the online collection. Ask students what the tool was used for and how they differ from tools they see today.

Step 4. If possible take a nature walk and let the children materials they might use to make their own tools. If that is not possible, bring a collection of wood and stones of all shapes and sizes to use in the development of student tools. To enrich the home school connection, students and families could be encouraged to send in artifacts from around the house to use in tool building. Take a nature walk and have each student collect one item that might be used to construct a tool.

Step 5. Students will break up in groups of three and proceed in constructing a tool to be used in our class garden. String and other craft items should be made available. Teachers should provide suggestions for specific tools that students could attempt to build. Hammers, shovels, and rakes could be among the easiest to construct.

Step 6. Students can try out their tools in the class garden or any outdoor space your school may have.



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