American Girl - Girls of American History Unit 11 New York Life in 1914 -Rebecca® - Co-op/School License

Lights, Camera, Action!  This was an exciting time in history. People were hard workers and busy much of the time making a way for themselves. Movies were beginning to be quite popular, as were amusement parks. Biography and research opportunities include Babe Ruth, Charlie Chaplin, Tsar Nicholas II, Pearl White, Theda Bara, Mary Pickford, early movie making, labor unions, immigration and more. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.

This unit is an excellent look into the life of an immigrant - the transition into adjusting to life in America, work conditions and school. This unit is from the perspective of a young Jewish girl, yet does not impose one belief over another. Many Jewish citizens made significant contributions to the United States. This is an excellent opportunity to discover those contributions and study those citizens. 

Making history engaging for students is possibly one of the most difficult tasks for teachers.  How do we overcome that?  Two key things are critical for accomplishing this task.  First, it must be relatable in someway, and secondly, it needs to offer learning opportunities for multiple learning styles.  Girls of American History uses the popular American Girl book series.  This instantly makes history relatable, as the main characters are school age children, families and strong male characters. 

Girls of American History uses multisensory learning, which follows a pattern of Do It, Write It, Say It, Read It, See It.  Multisensory learning is great for every kind of learner - because each learner gets to experience learning the way they are most comfortable - but they also have the opportunity to learn through other senses.  Studies and research have shown that learning material through multiple senses helps children to retain information better.

The experiences practiced in multisensory learning allow each student to participate in ways that help them understand and retain best.  Boys and girls learn together and help each other with projects such as making an airplane glider, embroider a pillowcase, having discussions about the story, historical information, as well as positive character traits such as courage and handeling change, etc.   

Schooling multiple ages together, in a co-op setting for example, is very manaegable.  And, with the continuity of the same subject matter for literature and history, as well as crafts and field trip experiences, opportunities for discussion are plentiful and help build a love of learning.

Multisensory learning is great for every kind of learner - because each learner gets to experience learning the way they are most comfortable - but they also have the opportunity to learn through other senses.  Studies and research have shown that learning material through multiple senses helps children to retain information better.

Several field trip options are listed by state to help with your planning.  This six week unit study using the American Girl® Rebecca® series books is also great for doing school in a large class setting,  or a smaller co-op environment.   Each unit suggests an end of unit time period themed celebration - an opportunity to show what has been learned and created over the course of the unit.

There are two options for the required readers for this unit.  American Girl orignally printed the Rebecca® stories in a six book set. These stories have been reformatted into a three book set called "Beforever".  Either book set will work for this curriculum.

**Crafts are not included in the purchase of the curriculum, but resources and instruction as to what crafts to purchase are included.  Some units do include free craft templates.   Co-op/School License allows permission for the purchasing school allow as many teachers to teach this curriculum to as many groups and classes as they like.  There is no expiration.  The school may not make copies for parents, or other schools/co-ops.  The file remains the property of the purchasing school only.