Life in the Mills

Key Question: Why go to Lowell?

Guiding Questions:

• How would their life change?
• How would their social, economic and educational opportunities be affected?

 

• You will either work at computers in small groups or your teacher will give you the information necessary to complete this activity.
• Each group will be assigned a different topic to research.
• Read the following resources to find out about your assigned topic.
  • Life in the Mills (Use this mill question sheet as a guide.)
    • Typical Mill Girl - (Read to begin to understand key question, "Why go to Lowell?")
    • The Mill Girls
    • The Story of My Cotton Dress
    • An Account of a Visitor to Lowell 1836
    • Harriet Robinson
    • Leisure Time
  • Life in the Boarding House (Use this boardinghouse question sheet as a guide.)
    • Typical Mill Girl - (Read to begin to understand key question, "Why go to Lowell?")
    • The Mill Girls
    • Meals
    • Room and Board
    • Lowell National Historic Park
    • Lowell National Historic Park - Boarding Houses - (Read paragraphs under headings entitled, "The Boardinghouses" and "Boardinghouse Life"
    • Lowell National Historic Park - Mill Girls - (Read paragraphs under heading entitled, "Life in a Boardinghouse"
    • Boarding House Rules from the Handbook to Lowell, 1848 - (Scroll to this section of the document.)
    • Mary Paul Letters - April 12, 1846 - (Scroll down to find this letter.)
  • Working Conditions in the Factory (Use this working conditions question sheet as a guide.)
    • Typical Mill Girl - (Read to begin to understand key question, "Why go to Lowell?")
    • The Mill Girls
    • Factory Rules from the Handbook to Lowell, 1848
    • Mary Paul Letters - Dec. 21, 1845 - (Scroll down to find this letter.)
    • Time Table and Questions to Ponder
    • Work Day
    • Lowell National Historic Park - Mill Girls - (Read paragraphs under heading entitled, "A New Way to Live and Work"
• Take notes using your question sheet to help you.
• Once you have finished gathering your research, you will need to present your information to your class in a creative way.
• Some suggestions for group presentations are:
  • a skit
  • an illustrated short story
  • a diary
  • a series of letters
  • a multimedia presentation
  • a newspaper
  • a propaganda pamphlet
• Use the this rubric to guide you.

Student Web-Guided Exploration

Teacher Page