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NEW YORK STATE CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

LAYER THE WALLS: Turn of the Century (1870-1909)

This piece explores the realities of living in a tenement, the discrimination and struggles many new immigrants faced when entering the United States. In addition the specifics of Irish, Italian, and Eastern European/Jewish immigration from 1870-1909 are shared. Story lines also involve the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, The Great Blizzard of 1888, and the Garment Industry, including the concepts of the strikes, unions, and the Garment Workers Strike of 1909 aka The Uprising of 20,000.

Social Studies Framework Connections (special focus on grades 3, 4, & 8)

Immigration & Migration (SS-4.7): Reasons for emigrating; tenement life; Irish immigration, Italian immigration, Eastern European immigration; immigration legislation and impacts
New York State and Local History and Government (SS-4.6f): Westward Movement and Industrialization
Communities Around the World (SS 3.3, 3.3a, 3.4, 3.8)
Changing Society (8.2): Waves of immigration; change in labor force; garment factories and labor movement; context of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Science Standards Connections (grades 2-8)

Weather & Climate (K-2-ETS1-1, MS-ESS2-5): Great Blizzard of 1888
Engineering Design ( 3-5-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-1): Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
Human Impact:. (MS-ESS3-4, MS-ESS3-2, MS-ESS3-3): sanitation, housing codes, Tuberculosis

Social Emotional Learning (all grades)

Recognizing & Building Empathy (2A)
Recognizing and affirming individual identities (2B) .
Social Context in decision making (3A)
Taking stands against bias and injustice (3C)

Art Forms Shared

Bunraku Style Puppetry
Italian Half Mask
Shadow Puppetry

LAYER THE WALLS: Mid-Century (1930-1970)

This piece explores the realities of living in a tenement, the discrimination and struggles many new immigrants faced when entering the United States. In addition the specifics of Chinese immigration, Puerto Rican migration, and immigration from World War II refugees are explored. Storylines center on the Chinese Exclusion Act and family separation; Chinese ribbon dancing; the aftermath of the Holocaust and Displaced Persons camps; the NYC garment industry; The Young Lords and the fight for healthcare equity.

Social Studies Framework Connections (special focus on grades 4 & 8)

Immigration & Migration (SS-4.7): Reasons for emigrating; tenement life; immigration legislation and
impacts
Changing Society (8.2): Waves of immigration; change in labor force; Chinese Exclusion Act
Expansion & Imperialism (SS 8.3): Puerto Rican History,
World War II (SS 8.6): The Holocaust, Displaced Persons Camp/Refugees, Impact of WWII on immigration legislation and citizenship
Demographic Change (SS 8.8): Puerto Rican Migration;
Domestic Policies and Reform (SS 8.9): Impact of Great Society - Medicaid; Young Lords

Science Standards Connections