Newspaper Narratives
Progressive Era
History Background
The early 20th century was an era of economic growth, reform, and prosperity. Many progressives, as they called themselves, worked to make American society a better and safer place to live. 
They tried to make business more responsible through various regulations, worked to clean up city governments, lobbied to improve working conditions in factories, and to make living conditions better in general.
Progressives were concerned with the environment and conservation of resources.
In this lesson, students will use "human statues" to learn about "monuments" and how they can come to represent an ideology. They will identify the important leaders of the Progressive Movement and their impact on Texas.
Through online newspaper links, students will research Progressive Era topics of Womens' Suffrage, the Grange, the Farmer's Alliance, the Populist Party, James Hogg, the Progressive Movement, NAACP, and Prohibition. They will use the Interactive Digital Collage, Word search puzzle, Paper Doll coloring activity, and other resources to understand the beliefs, values, and trends of that era. They will conclude the activity by displaying their statues and presenting what they have found.
