Written by Valerie Mansberger PLS Class ED

The iron furnace industry is one of the country’s most important industries. Iron is fundamental in the production of steel, tools, stoves, and even decorative fixtures. During this lesson you will learn the importance of the iron industry and its dependence on natural resources. It is the goal that by the conclusion of this lesson you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of the interdependence of the iron industry and the environment. 2

Iron furnaces have been used as a way to remove iron from iron ore in the United States since the early settlers arrived here in the 1600s. One of the waste products of this process is called slag. How big do you think a slag pile could be? When you think you have a good image in your mind click on the link below then continue to the next slide. Slag Pile From Robesonia Iron Furnace 3

Now you will be assigned a partner to do the next activity. As you saw in the previous photograph, slag piles are large amounts of waste. In this activity you will study the photographs and try to determine how the iron furnaces are dependent upon the environment and how they may impact the environment. The ones will review the first set of photographs focused on the piles and the twos will analyze the second set of photographs focused on the iron furnace remains. 4

Go to the Photograph Analysis worksheet on the attached link and fill it out while studying the photographs of the slag pile and the ore pile. Print out the form and turn in by the end of class or to me. Photograph Analysis Worksheet Robesonia Furnace Slag Pile Iron Ore Piles (search iron ore piles and select the first entry) Iron Ore Piles 5

Go to the Photograph Analysis worksheet on the attached link and fill it out while studying the photographs on the furnaces from Maryland and New Hampshire. Print out the form and turn in by the end of class or to me. Photograph Analysis Worksheet Iron Furnace of Maryland (first photograph) Iron Furnace of Maryland Iron Furnace of New Hampshire 6

Now the ones will be paired with the twos to discuss what you found out about your pictures. Once your discussion is complete fill out the Venn Diagram on the attached link and print to turn in or to me. Venn Diagram 7

A collier is a person who makes charcoal out of wood in the forest. This charcoal was often sold to an iron master to be used as fuel for the furnaces. 8

While working with your original partner or independently complete the rest of the activities. Read the information at the following website to learn about the life of a collier. Then go to the Motion Picture Analysis Worksheet and fill it out for the Shadow of a Mountain video. Print out the form to turn in or it to me. The Life of a Collier Motion Picture Analysis Worksheet Shadow of a Mountain 9

Study the picture of the charcoal found in the remnants of a collier mound and fill out the artifact analysis worksheet on the link below. Print out your worksheet to turn in or it to me. Artifact Analysis Worksheet 10

So far you have learned how iron furnaces are dependent upon the use of natural resources. You will continue to learn about he various natural resources by reading a newspaper article and memoir and watching video clips. Remember to take good notes in order to be able to describe how natural resources play a role in the iron furnace industry. 11

Read the following newspaper article from 1864 and personal memoir to find some clues. There is also a map of the area. The Adam's Centinel Map of Pine Grove Furnace Personal Memoir (paragraphs 17, 18, 19, and 24) 12

Blast Furnace Video Bush Style Iron Making Cornwall Iron Furnace Modern Day Furnace 13

Now that you have a good idea about what types of natural resources are involved in the production of iron it is time to consider where iron furnaces could be located around the country and why. Fill out the K and W sections of the K-W-L Chart for the topic: Where in the United States Are Iron Furnaces Found? KWL Chart 14

Study the following maps and data table to complete your KWL Chart. Print out the chart to turn in or it to me. Iron and Steel Manufacturing Old Growth Forests Iron Production in the United States Commodities Grouping Maps Production of Pig Iron and Steel United States Vegetation Iron Workers 15

For the conclusion of the History of the Iron Furnace Unit you need to demonstrate what you have learned about how the iron furnace industry is dependent upon natural resources. Your project must include the following: what natural resources are needed to run an iron furnace where those resources come from and how the ingredients and the products of the furnace can be transported. 16

The project must be a model of an iron furnace town made out of clay or diagrams of a furnace town on a poster (must be located outside of Pennsylvania). Finally you will need to write a narrative explaining where the iron furnace is located, what is included in the iron furnace model (or drawing) and why, and what you learned overall from this unit. 17

For your final project you may use the resources listed here or any other resources that you find useful. Just make sure to cite them properly using MLA format. Iron Heritage Trail Map of Oregon Iron Furnaces of Middle Tennessee Other State Resources 18

As mentioned previously, the iron furnace industry is a foundational industry in the United States. The available of a vast supply of natural resources has truly made this country one of the economic super powers of the world. Hopefully, after completing the activities in this unit you have a better understanding of the importance of our environment to the economic well being of the country. In our next unit we will continue to focus on the environment and what can happen when large amounts of pollution have an impact on it. 19

Reference Document 20