Lesson Plan

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: Is Anyone to be Punished for This?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

The stories of bodies falling to the pavement and girls dying in their seats echo to the present day. The New York City Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire—which killed 147 people, mostly young women and girls—galvanized the labor movement and shed light on needed workplace reforms. Using a history lab model, learners review videos and documents from the fire, including testimony from eyewitnesses, newspaper accounts, and political cartoons. By evaluating each document for tone and perspective, young historians develop a deeper understanding of what happened that day—and who was to blame.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Use an introductory activity to discuss Progressive Era reforms and unions
Classroom Considerations
  • Not all links are live, but lesson includes alternative means of presenting and finding materials 
  • Graphic descriptions of death, including photographs, may not be appropriate for everyone
Pros
  • Resource offers several suggestions for adapting for a variety of pupil abilities
  • Documents are engrossing and intriguing
Cons
  • None