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Students on Site > Educators > Lesson Plans > Kids and Leisure in Early 1900s

Fourth Grade Lesson:
Kids and Leisure in Early 1900s Ann Arbor

State Student Outcome(s)
Describe how Michigan has changed and stayed the same over time; describe and classify human/cultural characteristics of Michigan; describe and explain the importance of individuals and groups who have made a difference.
Curriculum Link
Chapter 8, Michigan, The World Around Us
Key Tools/Documents
Timeline, Large Map #2 - 1910s, Photo-Fifth Ward School (1908), Document-Levi Wines Petition to City Council (1914)
Guiding Questions
What was daily life like for children in early twentieth century Ann Arbor? What were schools like? What did kids do for fun or leisure? How was life similar or different for kids a hundred years ago compared to today?
Activities
  • Add The Circus Comes to Ann Arbor (1913) to timeline in order to preview lesson on youth and leisure at the turn of the century in Ann Arbor. As an introduction, encourage students to think about the activities they do for fun today and whether they would have been possible to do a hundred years ago. Examples include: computer/video games, TV, movie theaters, sporting events, park recreation, etc.
  • Introduce first document by showing students Large Map #2 - 1910s. Locate and describe for students what Lower Town looked like: four mills, Broadway Bridge, African-American neighborhood. Use map to show students the location of Fifth Ward School.
  • In small groups, students examine Photo-Fifth Ward School (1908), and create a Venn diagram to describe similarities and differences between schoolrooms then and now. Similarities can include: a teacher and students, desks, clocks, blackboards, mixed-gender classes, penmanship as part of curriculum. Differences can include: teacher and student attire, lack of classroom decoration, absence of technology and classroom materials/supplies, greater number of students per classroom, etc. Students should also write a few sentences answering one question:
    • Based on this photo, do you think school was better/more enjoyable in 1908 than it is today? Why or why not?
  • In large group, students share responses from Venn diagrams on similarities and differences in schools and classrooms. If possible, draw Venn diagram on blackboard and write in student responses. Students can also share responses to the question on student enjoyment in school in 1908 compared to today.
  • As an introduction to second document, ask if any student can identify who Wines Elementary is named after. Identify Levi Wines as a local high school teacher and member of the Parks Commission who lived in early twentieth century Ann Arbor.
  • In small groups, students read Document-Levi Wines Petition to City Council (1914). Students should read think about and write responses to two questions:
    1. Why did Levi Wines write this letter/petition? What was he worried about?
    2. What did he think parks in Ann Arbor should be like? Who were they for?
  • In large group, students share responses to two questions. Explain to students that many major efforts to build parks and clean up the Huron River occurred in the early twentieth century due to concerns about industrial waste and its damage to the environment. If time allows, work with students to add what they have just learned to their Venn diagrams. Difference: fewer parks in 1908, many parks today. Similarity: people concerned about Ann Arbor’s environment and the safety of youth.
Challenge
Invite students to use the SOS website to find the photograph which shows the circus arriving in Ann Arbor.
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