Grades:

9-12

Objective:

Analyze a history research article as a source of information about past events.

Method

Students will read an article about the history of Hanford Mills that includes information on the closing of the Mill business and will explore the local and national trends that contributed to the closing.

Materials:

• One copy of the newsletter article “Same Past – New Understandings” discussing the history of Hanford Mills for each student.

Time:

• Preparation Time: 5-10 minutes
• Class Time: 30 minutes

Procedure:

• Give each student a copy of the article discussing the history of Hanford Mills.
• Ask students to pay particular attention to the end of the Mill business and consider the following questions.
  Questions to ask:
  • What larger economic trends caused the Mill business to close?
  • Why is this significant to us today?
  • Go over the article and discuss the answers to the questions in class.
  • Explain that they will be visiting Hanford Mills Museum and that they will learn more about the causes of the Mill’s closing, the nature of its community, and the links it had to the larger state and national economies.

Assessment:

• Participation in class discussion (speaking and listening)
• Reading comprehension

NYS Learning Standards:

• ELA Standard 1
• ELA Standard 3
• Social Studies Standard 1
• Social Studies Standard 4

Vocabulary & Spelling Words:

Economy – n. the prosperity or earnings of a place.

Globalize – v. to extend to other or all parts of the globe; make worldwide.