Overview

Summary

Students will study three Newport mansions: The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House. Students will research the history, architect and architecture, and patron of each mansion to gain an understanding of the arts and culture of America's Gilded Age.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Learn about the historical period, the Gilded Age.
• Identify the ways history influenced architecture and interior designs.
• Interpret the patrons and the architects' intent in the exterior and interior of the buildings.
• Learn how to identify various styles of architecture, and how architects use them to create a unique building.
• Create small group visual presentations about the Newport mansions of the Gilded Age.

Teaching Approach

Arts Integration

Teaching Methods

• Cooperative Learning
• Self-Directed Learning
• Information Organization
• Research

Assessment Type

Performance Assessment

Preparation

Lesson Setup

Teacher Background

Teachers should have an understanding of the Gilded Age in American history. They should also be familiar with the Newport Mansions, exemplars of Gilded Age style and architecture.

Prior Student Knowledge

Familiarity with the Gilded Age

Physical Space

• Classroom
• Computer Lab
• Media Center or Library

Grouping

• Large Group Instruction
• Small Group Instruction

Staging

• Test internet connection
• Make necessary photocopies

Accessibility Notes

Students with physical disabilities may need modified movements.

Instruction

Engage

1. Ask students to imagine they are the richest people in the United States and are going to build a second home just for use in the summer. What would it look like? Where would it be located? How would it be furnished? Ask students to record their thoughts on the Magnificent Summer Home worksheet located within the Resource Carousel. Give students several minutes to do this.

2. Ask two or three students to share their writing/sketches with the class.

Build Knowledge

1. Explain to students that during this unit, they will learn about the life, arts, and everyday culture and society of citizens during the Gilded Age (1870-1910).

2. Distribute the Newport and the Gilded Age handout to the students located within the Resource Carousel. Allow students time to read and comprehend the information.

3. Divide the students into pairs or small groups. Tell students that they will use the Internet to research general characteristics of the Gilded Age. Each group must cite 5 characteristics of the Gilded Age. Students may use the following two sites for their research:

• The Great Homes of America's Gilded Age
• American Experience: The Gilded Age

Students can also try a Google search for the term "gilded age." Give students some time to complete their research.

4. Have each group discuss some of the facts they found out about this time period and how it compares and contrasts with today's society. Students should record their ideas on the Compare and Contrast Venn Diagram located within the Resource Carousel. You may wish to create a master list of the Web sites used for research by each group and distribute to the class for future reference.

Apply

1. Distribute the Characteristics of a Gilded Age Mansion handout located within the Resource Carousel. Divide the class into three groups. Each group will be assigned one of the Newport Mansions to research. Each group will use Powerpoint or Keynote software or printed visuals to create an historical tour and visual presentation to the class.

Groups will be divided as follows:

• Group 1 - The Breakers
• Group 2 - The Elms
• Group 3 - Marble House

2. Distribute to the groups the corresponding handouts located within the Resource Carousel. Distribute to each group the Architecture Vocabulary handout as well as the Research Suggestions handout. Allow students ample time to read the handouts.

Each student in the group may choose to become an expert in one specific area of the mansions such as the ground, exterior, first floor etc. Walk around to each group, offering suggestions and feedback about how to conduct their research and construct their presentation. Students should use the sites listed on the Research Suggestions handout, located within the Resource Carousel, to research each mansion.

3. Distribute the Study Questions found in the Resource Carousel to guide students’ research. Students may use handout to assist them in their research. (Note: you may add, delete, or create your own study questions if you prefer.)

4. Give students at least 2-3 class hours and independent/homework time to research and prepare their presentation.

5. Once their research is complete, have student groups make their presentation about each mansion. Allow time for class to ask questions and give feedback after each presentation.

Reflect

1. Explain to students that they will be writing a brief essay in which they respond to the following essay prompt. If you wish to distribute to your students a hard copy of the Essay Prompt, you may find one in the Resource Carousel.

During the Gilded Age, some people expressed their wealth by building opulent mansions. In what ways do people today express extreme wealth? Why is this important to them?

Assessment

Use the Assessment Rubric located within the Resource Carousel to evaluate your students’ work.

Extending the Learning

• Explore a virtual tour of The Elms on PBS's American Experience site. Have students develop questions to address as they go through the tour.
• There are many historic homes, now museums, throughout the United States. Using this type of lesson format, students may develop their own interpretive plan on the historic houses near their home or school. This type of research/activity unit makes a field trip to an historic house more than "just a tour".

Standards

ArtsEdge Lessons connect to the National Standards for Arts Education, the Common Core Standards, and a range of other subject area standards.