What are the differences between life100 years ago and today?

Created by Lois Olshan

OBJECTIVE
To show what the lives of people who lived 100 years ago might have been like

INTRODUCTION
Tiffany lived and worked in New York City. He started his art career as a painter but started working with glass in 1875. He continued to working with glass till 1916. New York City was growing rapidly during this period; immigrants were coming from all over the world, but mainly from Europe and living conditions were poor for those who were not wealthy. Many had to work long hours in cramped and dangerous conditions. In contrast, there were many extremely wealthy people who also lived in New York. Many of these wealthy people where Tiffany's clients and lived in large, fancy mansions with servants and fine furnishings. Their lives were very different from the poorer residents of New York.

MATERIALS
If You Lived 100 Years Ago by Ann McGovern

PROCEDURE
Students will read If You Lived 100 Years Ago over a few sessions. You may also choose to pick out several passages from the book or divide sections of the book amongst the class.

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. They can start off with a chart of what life was like "Then" and what it is like "Now". After they have completed their "Then and Now" charts, 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.

ASSESSMENT
The finished written reflection will serve as an assessment of the activity. What did the class learn from the books? Do they have a good idea of what life might have been like for different people 100 years ago? What were the difficulties faced by those who lived 100 years ago?

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?
Building 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
Social Studies
Literacy