What
was it like to be an immigrant kid during the Industrial Revolution?
Adapted from lesson plan by Anne Marie Rizzuto-Zaika, P.S. 144Q
OBJECTIVE
Correlation. To write a response to literature, photographs and primary
source materials from the Industrial Revolution.
INTRODUCTION
During the Industrial Revolution, many factory
workers were mistreated by their employers. However, Louis Comfort Tiffany
was not one of them. He was an enlightened employer who treated his employees
fairly. They were fortunate but many were not as lucky. Even children worked
in terrible factory conditions until laws were passed to protect them.
MATERIALS
Copies of Immigrant Kids, by
Russell Freedman
PROCEDURE
Students will read Immigrant Kids over
a few sessions. Allow students time to discuss their reactions to the literature
and photographs.
After completing the book, have students write a written response. They can respond to any aspect of immigrant life, or a specific text to connections they made during the readings. Encourage them to expand their written thoughts; for example, instead of writing about what they read in the book, write about what they thought or felt when they were reading the book.
The finished written reflection will serve as an assessment of the activity. What did the class learn from the book? Do they have a good idea of what life might have been like for new immigrant children during the Industrial Revolution?
FOLLOW-UP
Role playing: Letter or diary writing.
Imagine that you were a child who lived 100 years ago, what would your life
be like?
Build a Victorian Dollhouse
LEARNING STANDARDS
Information about state and national Learning Standards is available
at http://www.topicseducation.com/links.htm.
Please note: selecting this link will open a new browser window on your
computer.
INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS
Literacy
Social Studies
