1900s Lesson Plans

Second graders study images of school life in the early 20th Century compared with those of today by looking at the classrooms and students' dress. They create a Venn diagram and write a paragraph based on their observations.

Investigate how vaudeville was one of the most popular forms of entertainment at the turn of the 20th century. High schoolers conduct Internet research and identify the characteristics of vaudeville, then write a five page paper comparing vaudeville with a 21st century type of entertainment.

Students discover the work of Leonardo Da Vinci.  In this science history lesson, students investigate Da Vinci's work, specifically his work to enhance flight in the 20th century.  Students research Da Vinci on the Internet and complete worksheets in class.

Students determine how Americans enjoy leisure time. In this 20th century America lesson, students research primary sources to study how Americans gained leisure time during the century and what they did with it.

Students discover the role of technology in 20th century conflicts. In this technological advancement lesson, students research how World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the War in Iraq were fought. Students compose essays that highlight the tools and technology used in the conflicts.

Seventh graders explore everyday life in Canada at the turn of the 20th century. In this lesson from the past, 7th graders view the picture "Three Children" and discuss what is occurring. Students locate, in A Living Archives, information about what school was like in the early 1900's.  Students write a two page essay about a typical school day during this time period and compare and contrast it to current day. 

Students explore several themes relevant to the life of Paul Robeson and the social, artistic, & political realities of the first half of the 20th century, identify and interview heroes in their communities, and publish profiles on their school's Web site

Students evaluate the role labor groups had on the U.S. Government in the early 1900's.  In this teaching American history lesson, students complete several activities, including response writing and listening to music, that reinforce what the have learned about early 20th Century labor movements.

Students examine primary sources to discover information about life in the 20th century. In this propaganda lesson, students analyze posters from the time period and present their findings to their classmates. 

Students take a closer look at the events and people who made news at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. In this research skill lesson, students use the provided rubric to select the events and people they must research to create newspapers for the historical era.