What Explains Migration To and From Detroit?
Geographical Investigations into Human Migration in America
This
curriculum engages students in authentic geographical investigations
of the growth, development and transformation of communities in the United
States by focusing upon migration to and from America's urban centers. Students
investigate questions using electronic versions of over 1000 primary
and secondary source materials from the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield
Village and other historical archives.
Curriculum Synopsis
This curriculum contains three units, in which students develop their skills in framing geographic questions, gather evidence and use geographic data sources as they learn about major population migrations in U.S. history and the impact such movement had on individuals, families and communities.
Each of the three geography units in this curriculum begins with students' theories and conjectures about why people would move to their community or how individuals or communities adapted to major migrations. Then, students use the tools, resources and thinking procedures of geography to create problems, gather and analyze evidence, and develop explanation.
Specially designed technological tools assist students in locating, investigating, and analyzing a wide-range of appropriate and relevant resources, including an authentic sharecroppers' home relocated to the grounds of the Henry Ford Museum. Designed specifically for these materials, the technology provides easy access to important resources and needed support to use those resources effectively. These materials include over 1,000 primary and secondary sources for students and teachers use. Most of these resources come from the exhibits and archives of the Henry Ford Museum and the Greenfield Village.
The Five Dollar Day: How did industry adapt to changing population and workforce?
Using variety of primary sources including the Mattox House, a Georgia sharecropper's home now located at the Henry Ford Museum, students engage in a comparative geographic investigation of life in the rural south and urban north to explain why so many southerners moved to northern cities. This unit aims to develop student understanding of region and regional differences.
The Great Migration: Why would Southerners move to Detroit?:
Built around a case study of the Ford Motor Company's Five Dollar Day policy, this unit focuses upon the responses individuals and organizations had to major changes in the city's workforce and population. Using population data from the U.S. Census, students develop and compare multiple maps of the migration and settlement patterns in twentieth century Detroit.
Suburbanization: Why would some people move to the suburbs?
Using highway construction data and housing patterns, students present and test their own theories for the timing and growth of Detroit's suburbs. The unit supports students' use of spatial evidence to support theories and ideas.
Background
This curriculum was initially developed in 2001 as part of the Primary Souce Network project. These materials have been revised based on research on classroom practice and student achievement, as well as from feedback from teachers using the materials. These units are currently used by ninth and tenth grade students in the Henry Ford Academy, as well as classrooms around southeast Michigan. Development of this curriculum was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. These curriculum resources were developed to address the curriculum standards of the Michigan Curriculum Framework.
Downloads, Workshop Information, and Resources
Download the Introduction (PDF - 176kb).
Upcoming workshops on this curriculum.
Virtual Expedition information (coming soon!)