Enhance a unit on historical fiction with an engaging writing lesson. Learners bring the Industrial Era to life as they compose their own historical fiction pieces based on primary source images of Pittsburgh steel workers. 

Concepts

historical fiction, Narrative Writing, industrialism, primary source images, primary sources

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Instructional Ideas

• Prior to or right after this activity, read a historical fiction piece together
• Create a historical fiction collection of short stories using learners' finished stories

Classroom Considerations

• This lesson is specific to the Industrial Era in Pittsburgh. Consider using images more close to home for learners from a different region

Pros

• A worksheet is included to help kids organize their thoughts
• Although there are a few photographs within the lesson, the Carnegie Library collection has many more
• Create an interdisciplinary unit between social studies and language arts

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.7.3 RL.7.9 W.7.3.a W.7.4