This document describes a project-based learning activity for an 11th grade ELL social studies class. The goal is for students to learn about the history of Asheville, NC and how the George Vanderbilt family influenced its development. Students will take a field trip to the Biltmore Estate and then work collaboratively in groups to create a webpage exploring how the Vanderbilts affected areas like Biltmore Village, Pisgah National Forest, and Asheville's growth as an artist haven. The final webpage will integrate the groups' findings into a comprehensive look at the Vanderbilt family's impact on the development of Asheville.

1. Project Based
Learning
Activity

2. This is a PBL lesson designed
for an 11th grade ELL Social
Studies classroom.
It satisfies the CCSS standard:
ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.7
Integrate and evaluate multiple
sources of information presented in
diverse formats and media (e.g.,
visually, quantitatively, as well as in
words) in order to address a question
or solve a problem.

3. Overview
The goal of this assignment is for students to learn
about the history of their city, Asheville, NC. The
Biltmore Estate brings in over one million people
annually, but what about the people who built it?
How would Asheville be different without them?

4. The
Vanderbilts
Who are they?
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.tfaoi.com/am/2am/2am76.jpg

5. To answer this question,
the students will take a
day trip to the Biltmore
Estate.

6. During this trip students will observe...
Asheville
What is Asheville
like inside the
walls of the
Biltmore Estate?
How has the
Estate changed
Asheville?
History
How did this
estate come into
existence?
Who built the
house?
What about the
surrounding area
which is now
Pisgah National
Forest?
the George
Vanderbilt family
What effect did
they have?
Is there a bigger
picture here?
What can we
learn from them?
Why did they
turn the estate
into an
attraction?

7. The class will create a webpage to explore a central question.
The project

8. Central Question:
How did the George Vanderbilt
family influence the
development of Asheville?

9. Students will work
in groups of
5 people.
Group 3Group 2 Group 4Group 1

10. Each group will choose a
hypothesis to explore.
Group 3Group 2 Group 4Group 1
hypothesis hypothesis hypothesis hypothesis

11. Some examples for exploration...
■ Biltmore Village
■ Biltmore Estate
■ Asheville as an artist haven
■ Pisgah National Forest
■ Railroads
■ ...
The Biltmore Co. (n.d.) Retrived from http://www.biltmore.com/visit/biltmore-house-
gardens/estate-history

12. Students will then
collaborate
to bring their ideas
together.
Group4
Group 3
Group 1
Gro
up2

13. The result will be one
comprehensive web page.
How the Vanderbilts Influenced Asheville

14. Critical Thinking
Students will need to
support their
hypothesis with well
researched ideas.
21st century skills
Collaboration
This is a group project.
All team members
need to contribute and
work together
effectively.

15. Time-Management
Students will need to
organize within their
group to come up with
a well rounded page
for the hypothesis.
21st century skills
Content Creation
Students will create
text and infographics.
They will also provide
maps, pictures and
videos where
applicable.

16. This assignment will be posted on the Internet.
Public Display

17. Revision will take
place in 3 areas.
Teacher
Review
Peer
Review
Self
Review

18. This project focuses on the why and how
regarding the development of Asheville.
Asheville was influenced by a number of factors, but this project
focuses in on one central aspect, and in this case, one family.
I designed this assignment for ELL students for 2 reasons.
1) I think the Biltmore Estate will be of interest to them.
2) However, the Estate is just the beginning. I want students to see
how this Vanderbilt Estate fits into a larger picture, which happens
to be their city.