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Immigration and Industrial Revolution

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This past week the 4-5 Program began an excited new theme study. Students will be exploring the historical and scientific concepts connected to Immigration and Industrial Revolution. Students will enjoy time in each of the four classrooms exploring topics in depth and will celebrate the learning at an Ellis Island simulation in December. Here is a brief snapshot of what students will experience:


 The Irish Potato Famine of (1845-51): an historical example for emigration from one’s country into another country. Students will explore the push/pull factors for emigration/immigration through conversations, videos and readings. Students will also explore hunger both in the past and present, worldwide and here in Maine. Students will enjoy an “Adopt a Family” partner project. Students will become an immigrant Irish family and will be asked to find housing and jobs in Boston. Students will discover the challenges and joys of moving to a new land and will share their experiences with a letter written to a family member who remained in Ireland.


 Immigration Past and Present:What does it mean to be an immigrant? What does it take to immigrate to the United States? Students will explore immigration through both a historical and present day lens. Students will review global geography to understand better the political boundaries that create countries. They will gain an understanding of the reasons for immigration and how these reasons correlate with waves of immigration into the United States throughout history. Students will participate in an investigation of their own family ancestry, a simulation of Ellis Island (as a culminating event), and a possible visit to a modern day naturalization ceremony.


Land Use & The Industrial Revolution: Students will reconnect with their study of the marsh and continue to deepen their understanding of watersheds. This will lead to an exploration of land use of Lowell, MA before and after the Industrial Revolution through analysis of historical maps. Students will see how humans impacted the land in just a short amount of time. Students will also explore water power and build water wheels to determine the design that will yield the most energy.


Farm to Factory: Students will first focus on what life was like in the farming communities of New England in the 1820-1840's, how these communities were affected by the Industrial Revolution, and what mill life was like for the workers. Students will also explore child labor laws, the formation of unions, and the dawn of women’s rights in the US. Students will collaborate and organize to change conditions for workers in the textile mills of the mid 1800s.
Nancy, Kai, Tim, and Linda
   

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