We discussed the difference between the old wave of immigrants from 1800 to 1860 and the new wave of immigrants from 1860 to 1900. We learned about the rise of nativism, stereotypes, and prejudice. We looked at how political cartoons depicted new immigrants and how the cartoons depicted the populations that the nativists disliked and distrusted such as the Irish and the Chinese.
Leisure Class, Baseball, Nativism, and Assimilation
Lesson Outline
Per our textbook chapter, baseball is an important American pastime and an integral part of American history. We watched a brief historical documentary on baseball in America. We discussed factory life versus farm life and the idea of leisure time. We also discussed nativism.
We watched a History Channel video on the experience of immigrants traveling to America through Ellis Island. We looked at immigration numbers and countries of origin graphs.
Industry, Inventions, Urban Development, and Billionaires
Lesson Outline
We watched a good video on the inventions of the Industrial Revolution and discussed the working conditions of children in factories. We looked at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website to discuss Henry Ford's newspaper and its spread of antisemitism. Then Cam completed an 11 words across and 15 words down crossword puzzle reinforcing 26 important names, terms, and inventions.
Cam and I reviewed his narrative and felt some illustrations would be a great addition. He started to design the cover of his narrative. He learned that America has had several flags over its history and is using those designs on his cover.
