Teaching Tips: Early America: Hensley Settlement

Stage a dramatic production of the pioneer way of life at the Hensley Settlement. Be sure to include historical facts in the production.

When the men of the Hensley Settlement found women to marry outside of the settlement, they had to convince them to join in their isolated lifestyle. Write a speech convincing someone to move from modern civilization to the pioneer way of life at the Hensley Settlement. Research the Hensley Settlement, and include specific facts about it that might attract outsiders.

Throughout history, America has moved from a rural way of a life to an urban one. Examine how and why this shift has occurred.

There are many reasons why people left the Hensley Settlement, one of which was the lure of the coal industry. In Eastern Kentucky, the years from 1900-1941 were considered “The Golden Age of Coal Mining.” Research the economy of Eastern Kentucky during this time and the role of coal.

Use Adam Jones’s photographs of the Cumberland Gap area (or other images from Hensley Settlement available online) to explore the elements of art through photography. Use the elements of art (line, shape, color, form, and texture), and the principles of design (repetition, pattern, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, proportion, and movement) to evaluate each photograph. Using what they have learned about the elements of art from the photographs, students will create their own works of art.