ENDURING UNDERSTANDING
How do objects help us understand the story of Wisconsin?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- Why do we save things?
- What makes the things we save important?
- What questions can objects help us answer?
- How do we unlock the meanings of an object?
Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies
Social Studies Inquiry Practices and Processes
- Gather and evaluate sources. (Inq2)
- Develop claims using evidence to support reasoning. (Inq3)
- Be civically engaged. (Inq5)
Behavioral Science
- Investigate interactions between individuals and groups – Sociology. (BH2)
- Examine the progression of specific forms of technology and their influence within various societies. (BH4)
Economics
- Analyze how decisions are made and interactions occur among individuals, households, and firms/businesses – Microeconomics. (Econ2)
- Evaluate government decisions and their impact on individuals, businesses, markets, and resources – Role of Government. (Econ4)
Geography
- Evaluate the relationship between humans and the environment. (Geog2)
History
- Analyze, recognize, and evaluate patterns of continuity and change over time and contextualization of historical events. (Hist2)
- Connect past events, people, and ideas to the present, use different perspectives to draw conclusions, and suggest current implications. (Hist3)
Political Science
- Examine and interpret rights, privileges, and responsibilities in society. (PS2)
Content Questions
- Why would members want a Badger Wheelmen Pin? What were the benefits of belonging to a social club?
- How did bicycle social clubs increase bicycle fans? Why was this good strategy to promote cycling?
- How did bicycle culture change bicycle technology?
- How did social clubs influence government to change laws? Who benefits and who does not benefit from laws changing?
Educational Goal Assessment
- Summarize the importance of logos.
- Articulate how advertising can increase interest.
- Compare and contrast bikes of the past and bikes of today.
- Select Wisconsin laws that make bicycling safe.
Suggested Performance Task
- Activity #1, Logos and advertising
Have each student identify company logos on a worksheet, and have them identify where they see logos and why a company would put the logo on that object. (See form below) Have the class discuss why companies use logos to promote products and groups. Consider the importance of logos.
- Activity #2, Bicycles Past and Present
Using the included slideshow, students complete the worksheet questions for each image. They will pick which bicycle is from the past and why. They will pick one difference and write why the change was made. They will pick one similarity and write why they think it stayed the same. (slide show and worksheet here)
- Activity #3, Laws and Bicycling
Using the attached slide show have students indicate what laws are good and for whom and what laws were bad and for whom. (slide show and worksheet here)
- Activity #4, Club Organizing
Divide students into groups of three or four. Each group selects a club they want to start and what activity it focuses on. Have them decide on a name and draw a logo. Have them write a list of rules members must follow and a list of events to promote the group and increase membership. Ask students to consider how the club rules and events might increase the popularity of the activity they chose.
Additional Resources
- Links to Wisconsin 101
The Good Roads Movement in Wisconsin
The 1890s Bicycling Craze in Wisconsin
- Links to Wisconsin Historical Society Resources
- Links to Milwaukee County Historical Society
Andrea Highwheeler, details Julius Andrea’s biography.