Analyzing Objects

Porcelain

Musket Ball

Smallpox

Nail

Reaper

Shirtwaist

Transistor

Coffee

Record

Tire

Dishwasher

Dress

Stereograph

Stone

Mail

Shoe

Question 1:
Historical Thinking is reading, analysis, and writing that's necessary to tell the stories. It's not always what we know about the past, it's how we know it.
Question 2:
Objects allow us to understand different aspects of life that are not necessarily in documents. Objects, coupled with additional primary and secondary sources can help us understand both the complexity and specificity of the past and begin to answer larger questions. We can try to analyze what it is made of, or where the materials came from. How did it get here? Asking and answering questions can provide valuable information for a better understanding of objects, time periods, etc. Artifacts that may have been dug up can hint at certain things such as a time period, or a culture or what it may have been used for. So objects in themselves can give valuable clues to follow up on to get further and better understanding.
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Question 1:
It was hand made. excellent craftsmanship. The gold leafing at the top and throughout the piece tells me they were very meticulous. Very simple design.
Question 2: Tells about the time period it may have existed and what it was used for.
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Question 1:
The can is very old. It represents coffee. perhaps it was buried and dug up. It is still sealed. the lettering wsa very simplistic. Looks like something perhaps used by the military.
Question 2:
Could tell what time period it was produced. Could identify a particular War or Military exercise. Could show the importance of importing goods?
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Question 1:
looks like space or alien objects. Also looks dark so maybe a distance away from the sun perhaps.
Question 2:
This would connect to a specific time when space travel was at the forefront of everyone's mind. Sometime during the 1960's
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Question 1:
I notice an abandon building and a pile of tires piled up high. Judging by the size of the tires could lead me to believe it was the early development of the automobile.
Question 2:
It could connect the manufacturing industry and the beginning of the auto industry.
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Question 1: It is an older model dishwasher.
Question 2:
It would connect a time period, when this product was first developed and available to households.
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Question 1: I noticed a small picture that was being used by binocular type device.
Question 2: Advancement in technology connected to the boom in American Industry.
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Question 1: looks like a design layout for perhaps a paddle boat???
Question 2: Show the early inventions and ideas that will change our future.
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Question 1: looks like cells. Scientific discovery.
Question 2:
this could teach us about research and different cures. Also can tell us about advancements in technology for early detection.
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Question 1:
Historical thinking is how we read, analyze and conclude what may have happened in the past, present. It allows us to explore what we know and perceptions of how we know it while allowing us to explore and learn more.
Question 2:
Objects can allow students to actually see and touch an object and then draw conclusions from where it may have come from, what it was made of, what particular time period it may have come from, etc. It also allows you to understand things like craftsmanship or materials that were available when they created the objects. For example; Chinese vases were made of fine porcelain and dyes to create spectacular pieces of work. It also allows us to tie it to a particular time period to better understand what may or may not have gone on during that time.
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Question 1:
The porcelain ties into the craftsmanship that the colonist may have had. It also ties in with the mother country because porcelain was considered to be used for the highest class or the upper British class. since matreial needed to come from the Motherland and Charles Townshend imposed a new set of taxes based on imported goods, colonist may have boycotted certain goods from the British. this lead to a way of colonists being able to distinguish themselves as well, as luxury goods and articles became a symbol of colonial resistance.
Question 2:
I would want to know if it really was all the taxation that led to the cause of the revolution or was it something else between the colonist and the Mother Country. Was it merely defined that the colonist were tired of paying such taxes to their country and decided enough was enough and they could benefit more by breaking off and keeping the money and things made here to themselves or was it something in addition that may have caused the revolution.
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Question 1:
it tells us of the process and thinking of how pre made food came about. Using freeze dried methods of taking food and making it nutritious was a concern. Having the ability to make it air and water proof set new boundaries. being able to deliver a product to areas of the world that were inaccessible. Also ties in the time period. The 1940's in which most of this was produced. Companies had to shift their thinking and production methods which led to more efficient equipment.
Question 2:
Most of the problem was about perception. A woman in the home who made fresh made meals would now be able to make meals in a much faster time but did not because they did not want to have the stigma about not preparing fresh food. The roles of making meals that took hours soon became minutes. Advertising would show the benefits of the newly found dried food but convincing the public became a more difficult task. After the war, other challenges became more prevalent. A lot of woman did not want to be seen preparing such food because of what their neighbors or friends might think. Slowly over the years, women's roles changed and now woman could prepare meals quickly and did not need to stay in the home as much so many of them began to go out and look for work.
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Question 1:
for one it marked the period of time for rationing food. It also marked a call to woman to come work for their country. Industries were transferred over to produce war materials to send overseas. As stated simple rubber used for tires was now being used for tanks, aircraft carriers, ec. between 1943 and 1945 there were no domestic vehicles produced so that the resources could be used for military purposes.
Question 2:
I would ask questions like what is the poster trying to represent? How does the color and layout portray a particular time period? What is Uncle Sam calling for you to do? Who was at the forefront of this time period? Was it woman who are important or the Military??
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Question 1:
It marks a period of shifting change. Atime when was supplies were starting to diminish and luxury items we becoming more the norm. It also marked a shift in manufacturing. They need to retool their factories and start producing more household products that people would by.
Question 2:
It made me look at that time period in a little different way. While trust issues still are there today between Eastern countries it was interesting to see how the Soviet government still didn't trust in anyone. It also made me think a little more about the retooling of the manufacturing companies to start developing products that would become staples in today's society. While to this day propaganda still exist, I don't think the people of the different countries have the same opinions.
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Question 1:
The Steroscope opened the door to new technology. Being able to see places that people could not go. All the frame work that was done then led to broader things like the camera and eventually today the vR devices. It also opened up the door for jobs and opportunities for War veterans coming home. Being able to go door to door and earn an income to give people a relatively new product. A simple idea that has been improved on over the years.
Question 2:
I teach a video class so we explore how cameras have evolved. Taking a simple camera and following the process into things like Polaroids, to photography to video cameras. Also, teaching the students how cameras have evolved into what they have today on their cell phones. The world has come a long way since the Steroscope. I would also have students explain and research the importance of virtual tours. The Steroscope allowed ordinary people to see places the only once dreamed of going. Today children can see things and places they only once dreamed about as well.
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Question 1:
The reaper changed how farmer's could harvest a crop at a faster rate. This meant they were able to grow more per acre than before. It also cut down the amount of workers needed to harvest the crop. While the invention was seen as something great it did not necessarily mean more to the farmer. There were still limitations they would encounter. One was how to get all that they harvested to the market. While progression was coming some things still stayed stag net. But the idea did start the use of animal power along with invention idea to create something that was a little easier.
Question 2:
I wold have to say the cotton gin was a great example. This was a machine produced that would separate cotton fiber from the seeds. This idea or machine would change the future for many things to come. This would also help separating the wheat seeds from the husk. All this would make production a little easier and also cut down on time. Improvements from that invention can be seen today in the way that we harvest crops. While the Cotton Gin may have been primitive, it lead to different ideas and developments into the machinery sed today.
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Question 1:
It lead to greater understanding of diseases and how to fight them. It also led to greater research, testing, and development of anti-viruses. It allowed for better understanding how how diseases and cures could become about. Today we use the flu shot as an example. The flu shot with all its different strains is given to help prevent people from getting the flu. While some people have mild outbreaks, very few deaths occur because of the flu. Understanding how the flu attacks the immune system also became important. As scientist develop different cures, they can also understand how the body reacts to different things.
Question 2:
benefits are a greater understanding of how the disease attacks the body and how it is transmitted. The drawback could be that some of the test don't work and if used on human patients, could result in death. This can be seen today with the outbreak of the Corona Virus. It is spreading and reaching all types of people and yet we do not have an understanding of the virus and how to attack it to come up with a cure. While advancement in technology and research are out here, we still do not move quickly enough to prevent the outbreak. Another example would be the cure for cancer. While there are so many different types of cancer, finding a cure for them become intensive and laboring. As we come p with a cure for one cancer, it seems to evolve and reintroduce itself in different ways.
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Title: Understanding History
Grade Level:
  • High
  • High School
Short Answer:
In this module you will start to understand not only about reading and writing history but also about the objects that help shape history. You will learn how to link object from the past to different time periods, cultures, and events throughout history. You will gain knowledge and begin to understand the historical significance of objects around you that help you shape your life and your understanding of those who have come before you. It will take you through a journey from the past and present and hopefully raise questions about the significance of the event, object, or occurrence.
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Title: Symbolism
Grade Level: High
Short Answer:
I would ask the class to name 4 or 5 items that they know about throughout history that have particular significance to a time era, culture, event. What types of object(s) make a particular statement about when it was created and how it may have been used. What is the significance of there object today? Did it have an affect on our society? Was it sued as a symbol? Did it change the course of anything that may have followed.
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Title: Freeze Frame
Grade Level: High
Short Answer:
Introduce to the students the process and thinking of how pre-made meals came about. Also show them the process of the science and testing that went into the thinking, making, and production of pre made food. Link the importance of advertising and getting the public on board with trying something new. Have students take a product today that is pre made, pre packaged and create an add campaign to sell their product to the public. Have students explain the importance of labeling and packaging. Let students explore the concept of knowing where pre made food came from, where will it be in the future. What types of foods will we see produced and how will it be implemented. How do we convince the public to purchase and use these products and what importance will they hold.
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Title: Transistor to Transition
Grade Level: High
Short Answer:
I would have students think about all they have today, (cell phone, TV, microwave, computers, even cars) and question where would we be today without the invention of the transistor. Let them do a quest to research the beginnings of how the transistor became about. Have them look at things from the past and make notes and a presentation of how they are today. I would also expand their knowledge and ask them where do they think we will be in the future? Everything we have today is getting smaller and smaller, does smaller still mean powerful?? Do we have the capacity to create smaller and better things through understanding or its origins???
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Title: Rationing
Grade Level: High
Short Answer:
Have students do a study and see if there is any situation today that rationing would be appropriate to use. What is the significance of propaganda advertising and is it still used anywhere today?

Would having mom at home make a difference in today's society instead of having them go out working to support the country. Would giving up there favorite items have an effect on what they did today?? Have students give up their cell phones (good luck with this one) for a week and see what sacrifice for the betterment of society would affect them today.
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Title: Full Steam Ahead
Grade Level: High
Short Answer:
I would introduce the emergence of a shift in industry after the cold war. See how many labor saving devices students could list today. Have them research some of there ideas to see how they affected society today.

The next part of the lesson would deal with items that they have personally come into contact with and let them explain how it was life changing. Did it make life easier?? How did it affect the manufacturing companies?? Did they have to retool their plants in order to make the products? Did we have to make major changes to produce things like the microwave, TV, radio, automobiles??

The last part of the lesson would deal with what ideas, products, etc. be in the future. Do you see anything in particular that could change the course of what people do today? Would the image change from a consumer standpoint?? What affect would it have on the economy??
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Title: Seeing Clearly
Grade Level: High
Short Answer:
I would engage students by creating a timeline from the stereoscope to today's VR technology. Have them see the evolution of something simple as it has grown to what they know today as virtual Reality. Understanding the complexities of a design to bring pictures that once were thought unimaginable. Give them the understanding of what they are seeing today in a presentation on a projector once came from the idea of a stereoscope. Ask the students to examine what the future might hold. Does holographic imaging fit into the category? Have them research how "fish" film was used in libraries. The concept of putting information on a tiny piece of plastic and then being able to view it was unheard of earlier in the century. Show them examples of the evolution from stereoscope to vr.
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Title: Moving Forward
Grade Level: High
Short Answer:
I would show the inventions of the past that changed certain periods of history. I wold then engage them in a quest to name some things that may have changed the way we do things since there parents and themselves have been alive. Have them come up with one or to inventions that have changed their lives and produce a presentation. I would then follow up with questions about what they might foresee in the future that would make things better, easier, more productive, etc. What is being done today or the near future (within 5 years), that could alter the way we do things for the better?? Have them list some things that they believe might change thier future.
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Title: Discovery
Grade Level: High
Short Answer:
Engage students in research. Have them understand the importance of Science and technology. Maybe do a cross curricular project with a science class. drawing a hypothesis, doing some research, then coming up with a conclusion/solution. Also have them research different diseases/viruses over a period of time and have them tell you about the importance of it and how it has changed society. What diseases did they face before the 1800's??? Would be a great web-quest and PowerPoint project.
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