Advocating for Change: Uprising & Flesh and Blood So Cheap

Lesson 1
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ELA

Unit 2

7th Grade

Lesson 1 of 33

Objective


Explain the impact of the Triangle fire by studying a fictional and nonfiction account of the event.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy by Albert Marrin  pp. 1 – 6

  • Book: Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix  pp. 1 – 5

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A Note for Teachers


  • Today's reading includes a description of people jumping to their deaths from a burning building during the Triangle fire. Address this in a way that is appropriate for your students. 
  • Due to differences in scheduling and sequencing across schools, this lesson is written assuming that students will need to both read and discuss the text in class. However, if this unit is being taught in sequence, Fishtank recommends that students complete the reading for this lesson as homework prior to class so that students have more time to meaningfully engage in analysis and discussion.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

Based on the first pages of both texts, explain the impact of the Triangle fire.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • What impact did witnessing the Triangle fire have on spectators like Frances Perkins? (Flesh and Blood)

  • Summarize the "larger story" or the context of American life when the Triangle fire occurred. Includes details from Marrin's description on pages 4–6. (Flesh and Blood So Cheap)

  • Read the first 5 pages of Uprising. How is Mrs. Livingston impacted by the Triangle fire? (Uprising)

Vocabulary


Text-based

uprising

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Book: Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy by Albert Marrin  pp. 23 – 39

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What happened when immigrants arrived by boat in New York City?

  • Describe New York City at the beginning of the 20th century.

  • What were tenements? Provide three details about life inside tenements.

  • Select one photograph on these pages and describe what you see in detail.

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.7.3 — Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events).
  • RL.7.3 — Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
  • RL.7.9 — Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RI.7.1
RI.7.2
RI.7.4
RI.7.10
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
RL.7.4
RL.7.9
RL.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.a
W.7.9.b
W.7.10

Next

Explain how the growing population in New York City necessitated innovation and change in lifestyle at the turn of the 20th century. 

Lesson 2
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