The late 1800s were very exciting! Inventors—like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell—were busy making the world an "easier" place to live; millionaires like Carnegie and Rockefeller were raking in the money! The cities were bustling with immigrants and people who had moved to find factory work. Was life as wonderful for those in tenement housing?
Take a look at the photograph on page 309 of your textbook. Can you imagine living in one room with your entire family? We're not just talking about you, mom, and dad. Think about how tough it would be to share one room with your grandparents, cousins, and other family members!
Write a diary entry that summarizes your life as a "city kid." Share what life was like for you in tenement housing. Here are some questions to think about:
What was it like to live in tenement housing?
How many family members shared your home?
What did you do during the day? Work or school?
How did you feel about your situation?
Are you ready? Begin by visiting the Web site listed in Step 2. Look for answers to the questions above and record your notes in the boxes.
Step 2. Research
Once you've read about life at 97 Orchard Street, type your observations in the boxes. Make sure to summarize what the tenement housing was like.
Toolbox Tip: Click here to learn how to save a picture from a Web page.
