Architecture and Life Style of the Middle Class in the 1800's

Glencarlyn Restored Area &
The Ball-Sellers House
5620 Third Street South
Arlington, Virginia 22204
(703) 379-2123

Instructional Unit:
This unit is based upon the required program of studies for 5th Grade Social Studies. The Social Studies unit covers the basic concepts about United States history in the 17th, 18th and 19th Century to the Civil War Period - 1865.

Curriculum Unit:
Grade 5
Social Studies

Objectives:
1. Students will demonstrate a general understanding of the importance of a restored area such as the Glencarlyn Restored Area through discussion and response to questions. Students will demonstrate mastery of vocabulary appropriate to the era, such as Victorian, telegraph, chinking, rail-switch, level high land, glen side, glen proper, malaria belt, yeoman farmer, clapboard.
2. Students will identify architectural styles of the 1750's through 1865 with a brainstorming exercise.
3. Students will compare the housing of a middle-class family in 1750, the Ball-Sellers House, originally built by John Ball, a yeoman farmer and teacher, to the middle class house of the Victorian period owned by "men and women of moderate means who received stated salaries."
4. Students will demonstrate the concept of understanding the middle class of 1700-1990 as based upon research of the Carlyn Springs Community through newspaper articles, general discussion and direct observation.
5. Students will compare the use of lands surrounding various architectural structures over a 100-year period from 1750-1850 through photographs available at the Arlington Historical Society.
6. Students will describe the aesthetic aspects of architecture circa 1750 and the late 1800's through sketches on site at the Glencarlyn restored area.

Pre-Visit Activities:
An representative from the Arlington Historical Society will visit the classroom for a pre-site lecture.

On-Site Activities:
Students will use a local map to locate the Glencarlyn area. The name Glencarlyn will be interpreted. Discussion of why the area was restored will follow. Students will be guided by the teacher and docent for the first 40 minutes, with the remaining 20 minutes used to explore the Carlyn spring, Carlyn Hall, the church and the library.

Follow-Up Activities:
Students will respond to teacher-made tests, and demonstrate knowledge through dioramas, charts, sketches and photographs.

Appendices: none

Bibliography:
Glencarlyn Newsletter and Northern Virginia Journal

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