Bringing History Home: The Progressive Era

In this 4th grade unit, students study how citizens and government of the early 20th century sought solutions to problems that accompanied immigration and industrialization. By focusing on child labor, factory working conditions and tenement housing issues and reforms, the unit encourages empathy both with those who suffered during this period of immense economic and population expansion, and with those who sought to end suffering. Lessons also provide an introduction to capitalism and various economic principles of trade. Concluding with a service project, the unit brings the progressive theme of citizen action for social reform into the present.