Troup County School System - History Lesson Plan Database

Title:
The Lion and the Mouse

Author:
Kim Edmondson

Linked Essays:
None

Overview:

This lesson introduces Ida M. Tarbell, an investigative journalist during the Progressive Era. Her piece for McClure's magazine, The History of the Standard Oil Company, which later became a full length book, is considered the beginnings of muckraking journalism and led to governmental reforms concerning business practices.

Materials:

See "Supplemental Notes" Section for websites for the following:

- History of the Standard Oil Company

- History of the Sherman Anti-trust Act

- Biography of Ida Tarbell

- Supreme Court Case: Standard Oil Company of New Jersey v. United States

See Linked Files section for the following:

- Concise version of Standard Oil v. US

- Word Squares Handout

- Sample Questions for Summarizing Activity

Projected Time:
90 Minutes

Lesson Plan Sequence:
2Y3

Essential Question:

How did the investigative writings of journalists such as Ida Tarbell lead to government reforms regarding big business?

Bell Assignment:

(15 minutes) Word Squares: Have students create word squares for vocabulary words associated with Ida Tarbell and John D. Rockefeller. Have them provide a symbol or picture for the word, the meaning in their own words, the dictionary or glossary definition and a sentence that demonstrates the meaning of the word (not just one that uses the word). Some vocabulary words that might be used include: vertical integration, horizontal integration, monopoly and robber baron.

Activating Strategy:

(15 minutes) Brainstorm with student ways in which actions by large corporations affect their lives. Have them think about the products they buy (Microsoft computer programs in all computers) as well as about corporations that control entertainment and the media (costuming in tv/movies often influences clothing styles). If possible use local corporations as examples. Write their ideas on the board or overhead projector. Explain that in the late 19^th century companies grew very large and exerted a major influence on American society.

Instructional Activities:

(40 minutes) Students should have access to websites listed in the Supplemental Notes section of this lesson plan.

Jigsaw Reading: 1. Divide the class into "home groups" of 4 students. Each student is numbered 1 to 4. Divide the reading into 4 numbered sections. Group 1 will read history of the Standard Oil Company; Group 2, the history of the Sherman Anti-trust Act; Group 3, a biography of Ida Tarbell; Group 4, the Supreme Court case against Standard Oil.

2. Students should assemble into "expert groups", all the 1's together, all the 2's, and so on. Each group reads and summarizes the important points in its corresponding section.

3. Experts then return to their home groups where the expert "teaches" the group about his or her part.

Note: An excerpt from the case against Standard Oil is provided only to clarify the findings of the Supreme Court as transcripts of court cases can be lengthy and difficult for students to decipher. It may be used in place of the website listed if needed. Also, in the interest of time, teachers may want to use the more concise history of Standard Oil websites rather than full text website.

Summarizing Activities:

(20 minutes) Students remain in their groups of four, keeping their same "expert" number. Ask questions about the reading and give a time limit. Students take a few minutes to agree on an answer. Give a number to designate which student will answer for the team. Students with that number give their group's answer either verbally, on paper or on the board/overhead. Give feedback as appropriate. Students should understand that, while new laws were passed (Clayton Antitrust Act, Robinson-Patman Act) the majority of business reforms were made under the existing law. Teams may receive points for correct answers, creative answers, first to answer, etc.

Note: A list of sample questions is provided in the Linked Files section of this lesson. However, the teacher should visit the websites prior to this lesson and develop a list of questions he/she feels is important for their students to know. If desired, a list of these questions could be provided to students during the Instructional Activity in order to clarify the important points they should know.

Notes:

History of the Sherman Anti-trust Act may be found at:

www.bartleby.com/65/sh/ShermanA.html.

The History of the Standard Oil Company may be found at:

http://www.history.rochester.edu/fuels/tarbell/MAIN.HTM

More concise history of Standard Oil (Parts I, II, and III) may be found at:

http://www.buyandhold.com/bh/en/education/history/2000/standard_oil1.html

http://www.buyandhold.com/bh/en/education/history/2000/standard_oil2.html

http://www.buyandhold.com/bh/en/education/history/2000/standard_oil3.html

Biographies of Ida Tarbell may be found at:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rockefellers/peopleevents/p_tarbell.html

http://tarbell.allegheny.edu/