TENEMENT LIFE

As immigrant populations grew in America's cities - particularly New York - in the 19th century, providing housing for these large numbers of people became an important issue. Tenement housing was created out of this necessity. In this issue, we look at what life was like in tenements and the types of jobs in which people might have been employed. One article will describe what the experience was like through a child's eyes. We review the several laws that were enacted to address some of the tenements' worst aspects. There is an article on different reformers of that time, such as Jacob Riis, Lewis Hine, and Lillian Wald, as well as a short article on the group of reform artists who became known as the Ash Can School. We also explore the quality of public housing today and draw distinctions or parallels to life in cities more than 100 years ago.

Teacher's Guide

Paperback  48 pgs.  Full Color
Suggested for ages: 9-14
Product Code: COB0402