National First Ladies' Library
Women's Lives in the Victorian Era
The lives of middle-class Victorian women were circumscribed by strict standards that governed all aspects of behavior. To gain a better understanding of the Victorian Ideals for women, class members research the life of a middle-class...
Teaching Ideas
Victorian Fashion Detectives
The distinctive attire of royalty, working class, and peasants of the Victorian era conveys much about the conditions of the time. Learn more about why people dressed as they did, and how their fashion changed during the 64-year reign of...
Curated OER
A Victorian Prison
Prisons in Victorian England were miserable places, designed to deter people from committing crimes. To understand why these prisons were so tough, young historians review documents and pictures from Coldbath Fields prison. After...
Curated OER
Introducing Jane Eyre: An Unlikely Victorian Heroine
Students investigate the expectations and limitations placed on Victorian women and evaluate Charlotte Bronte's position and desire for literary achievement in using the male pseudonym, Currer Bell.
Curated OER
Victorian Homes Lesson
Students investigate British Society in the 19th century by examining Victorian style homes. In this world history instructional activity, students observe photographs of both rich and poor Victorian homes and discuss the main...
Curated OER
Comstockery vs. Eakins
Young scholars research Eakins' teaching methods. They incorporate research to prepare and present a verbal argument. They understand and articulate a perspective and develop their own opinion.
National First Ladies' Library
Gibson Girls and Flappers: What is this "New Woman"?
Young scholars divide into five groups with each exploring one section of the website, "The New Woman". After they complete their research, they discuss the nature and characteristics of the "new woman" and compare these to...