Examine a 1910 Census

Teach students about labor movements with the 1910 census and a 16-year old immigrant’s story.

This lesson is part of our Upper Elementary Unit Plan. You can view the full unit plan here.

Overview

Students are introduced to the Rogarshevsky family by investigating the 1910 census.  By reading the family article, “The Rogarshevsky Family Story,” they evaluate how 16-year-old Bessie Rogarshevsky may have participated in the labor movements of the early 20^th century and made a difference for workers’ and immigrants’ rights.

Theme

Making A Difference

Important Information

What will students understand through this lesson?

• Im/migrants bring everyday objects and traditions with them when they come to a new place to continue their cultural practices and find connection and comfort.
• Cities like New York, and neighborhoods like the Lower East Side, have many jobs for newcomers and immigrants. Many of these jobs are difficult, but work can be a place where people find community to continue their cultural or religious practices, and also where they influence and impact American society, culture(s), and economy.
• It takes many different people, sometimes with different interests, to create change. Immigrants work to make individual and community changes that benefit their lives but also others’ lives.

Aim

How do we do history detective work with a document to learn about a family?

Duration

1-3 Class Periods

Primary Sources

• 1910 Census – See the type of work an immigrant family from the early 20^th century, The Rogarshevkys, are doing based on this census. (See below)
• Rogarshevsky Family Story article (See below)