At a Glance

Teacher Review
Aaron Kerns
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Topics
Industrialization, organized labor, Progressivism
Features
Focus on historical thinking, Multiple Sources, Useful for differentiating instruction, Useful for English language learners
Duration
2-3 class sessions
Grade(s)
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Lesson Format

1

The Cost of Industrialization

Students use a variety of primary source documents and a structured discussion process to understand the events and conditions surrounding the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911.

Review

One of the greatest strengths of this lesson is its wealth and variety of primary sources. In addition to firsthand narrative accounts, the site also includes many photographs and political cartoons for students to analyze. Another strength is the way the lesson engages students in discussing sources with each other: students share their perceptions with one another after each step of document analysis, and then comment on one another's perceptions—setting the stage for lively historical discussion and debate.

Students begin the lesson by taking a brief opinion poll regarding industrialization, organized labor, and economic justice. At the end of the lesson students take the same poll, and discuss with their peers how their perceptions have changed as result of what they learned during the lesson.

Many of the text documents are long and may be challenging for some students, though some, like "Days and Dreams" by Sadie Frown would be relatively accessible to a high school student, or an advanced middle school student. It is written in narrative style, in simple language, and is of a moderate length. Other documents may need adaptation to meet student reading levels. However, the lesson also contains a sizeable collection of political cartoons, photographs, and other images. These could very easily form the central focus of the lesson, providing lots of material for students to discuss with one another.

Most of the documents (particularly the photos and cartoons) clearly condemn the factory owners. There is one account of the fire from the factory owners' point of view, in step five, which is listed as an "extra document," but one that is "strongly recommended." We echo that recommendation as this document allows students to see an alternative point of view on the event.

While students use primary sources as a vehicle for reshaping their initial hypotheses about industrialization, organized labor, and economic justice, information about the circumstances of each source's creation is not always readily available to students. Where this is the case, we recommend that teachers encourage students to use the source's content to identify the perspective of its author.

Overall, this is a good lesson that provides a useful tool in highlighting for students how their perceptions of history can change after exposure to a large mass of evidence. Often when teaching students the historical process, it is helpful to focus on just one aspect of historical thinking; otherwise students easily become overwhelmed. This lesson does just that: it helps students to focus on their own changing perceptions as they encounter the documents—an essential element of historical thinking.

Notes

This lesson works most efficiently when all students have access to a computer. However, it is also possible for teachers to print out materials for students use.

Teachinghistory.org Lesson Plan Rubric
Field Criteria Comments
Historical Content Is historically accurate?

Yes

Includes historical background?

Yes
A wealth of background information is available from the Cornell University website on the Triangle Factory Fire.

Requires students to read and write?

Yes
The lesson requires significant reading; there are many opportunities for teachers to insert writing activities as well. The second part of the assessment would be one ideal place.

Analytic Thinking Requires students to analyze or construct interpretations using evidence?

Yes
Students analyze sources in an effort to refine their interpretation of the events at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.

Requires close reading and attention to source information?

No
Some source information is included with the documents, and teachers can add a requirement that students note the creator and date of the source's creation.

Scaffolding Is appropriate for stated audience?

Yes

Includes materials and strategies for scaffolding and supporting student thinking?

No
Some additional adaptation of documents and reading aids may be necessary for your students. Students may especially need help with reading the political cartoons closely—see this guide for ideas.

Lesson Structure Includes assessment criteria and strategies that focus on historical understanding?

Yes
The second part of the assessment, in which students create contents for a time capsule and must determine how the factory fire ought to be remembered, is especially strong. Its multiple parts allow you to easily tailor it for your students.
No assessment criteria are included.

Defines clear learning goals and progresses logically?

Yes

Includes clear directions and is realistic in normal classroom settings?

Yes