Book Discussion Guide
The Industrial Revolution For Kids: The People and Technology That Changed the World by Cheryl Mullenbach
The Industrial Revolution was a time for incredible advancements in technology, travel, communication, and production that changed the way Americans lived forever. The Industrial Revolution for Kids explores the history and development of industry in the United States with original, visually stimulating photographs and hands on activities. It breaks down the most important turning points in innovation between the years of 1791-1913. Your family will be intrigued by the way immigrants, inventors, activists, and businessmen revolutionized the world and permanently marked this era in our history. You and your fifth grade child will enjoy moving through the timeline of life changing events and completing some of the related activities together. This might also be a great independent read for sixth graders enrolled in American History classes.
Questions To Talk About
While Reading
Vocabulary
It's important to make sure that your child has an understanding of key words in the book. Talking about words while reading is a great way for your child to learn new words.
In this book, you might talk about these words:
- interchangeable (pg. 2)
- manufacturing (pg. 3)
- calico (pg. 21)
- tenement (pg. 23)
- turmoil (pg. 68)
- unions (pg. 76)
- expositions (pg. 111)
You might use a question like:
In the book, what are unions? Use context clues on page 76 to understand the special role they played in the development of the Industrial Revolution in the United States.
Key Ideas and Themes
In addition to words, it's important to talk about key ideas and themes and how they develop over the course of the book.
Here are some examples to get you started:
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1
A revolution refers to a sudden and highly influential change. Why is this specific time period in American History called the “Industrial Revolution”? What is industry and how did it suddenly change?
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2
What were some of greatest developments in technology, transportation, and communication that were created during the Industrial Revolution? In what ways did they change people’s lives for the better?
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3
Beginning on page 50, there is a whole section on kids in the work place. How were children affected by the Industrial Revolution? What are some of the major differences in the lives of some American children living in the 1800’s and American children today?
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4
What was “The World’s Fair” and what were some of developments or inventions featured there? Why do you think the fair was so important? What sort of things might be featured at a modern day version of The World Fair if one were to be held today?
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5
“Revolutionaries” is a word used to refer to the people who made the Industrial Revolution happen. They were the inventors, businessmen, and activists that changed our way of life. After reading The Industrial Revolution for Kids, decide which individual person impressed you the most and why?
Extra Activities
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1
This book makes extension activities for further learning fun and easy for your family to do! Choose any of the 21 hands on activities included in the book to learn more about that part of the Industrial Revolution. Here are some great suggestions: You can “Make an Assembly Line Sandwich” on pg. 20, “Tell a Story with Photographs” on pg. 92, or make some gruel in “All about Gruel” on page 87. You can also learn a new game in “Play Monkey Tag” on page 106 or choose from any of the other activities that peak your interest.
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2
Some of the best parts about this book are the amazing original photographs included to tell the story of the revolutionaries that changed our world. Take a look back at the photographs that really spoke to you. Search the web for these people or things and see what more you can find out about them! Talk about what makes you interested that person or invention.