This site traces the shift in politics from the Jeffersonian to the Jacksonian era, the key events of Jackson's presidency, the formation of a distinctive American culture, early industrialization, westward expansion and its consequences, reform movements, as well as various factors that bred the notorious sectionalism of 19th century America. Finally, the site contains an examination of the rail development in North Carolina, zeroing in on the importance of rail development in Franklin, NC.
The content area of study will encompass the disciplines of social studies, reading, math, and computer technology. The scope of the unit is to acquaint the students with their cultural heritage by comparing and contrasting pioneer life in Swain County to the changes that have occurred over a period of time. The concepts will be taught in the third grade from the N.C. Standard Course of Study.
This unit will investigate the birth of a railroad through Western North Carolina once known as the Murphy Branch. We will discuss how the operation and purpose for the train has changed over time. The Murphy Branch portion was completed in 1891 using convict labor for most of the construction. This line began in Asheville and continued on to Murphy. Now over a hundred years later, the train still rides the rails. Upon completion of this unit, children will experience a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
This unit includes study and lecture on the history of the timber industry, student interviews and technological research on past heritage and knowledge of the lumber industry, a look at animals and possible impacts logging may have had on their habitats, and culminates with students making recycled paper.
