Educational Curriculum

Teaching a new generation of children about the Lower East Side

"A Day in the Life of an Immigrant Child" is an interdisciplinary, interactive, and innovative educational program for third to sixth grade students. The program, underwritten by a major grant from the United States Department of Education, is geared to coincide with the mandated study of immigration.

"A Day in the Life of an Immigrant Child" leads students on a journey back in time as they experience the life of an immigrant child on the Lower East Side. The program spans the late 1800s to 1930, during the peak years of Jewish immigration to this country. It incorporates strategies to engage students with various learning styles, emphasizing inquiry and utilizing all five senses, aligning with Learning Standards in humanities, literacy, and math, while building awareness of history and visual literacy.

The curriculum:

• Consists of 2 parts:
  1. pre-visit and onsite tour. Before students visit the Lower East Side, classroom teachers will be provided with pre-visit materials.
  2. The onsite tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.
• Students will visit sites central to the daily life of immigrant children on the Lower East Side.
• Uses maps, and other documents to complement onsite learning
• Provides educators and students with a unique teaching and learning opportunity.

The program was developed by two experienced educators: Rena Sichel Rosen and Joyce Mendelsohn. Rena has been teaching children and adults about architecture and neighborhood history since 2001. She earned an M.S. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University. Most recently, she developed an architecture and preservation education program that is used in Upper West Side public schools serving more than 1,000 students annually. Joyce, a former New York City Public School teacher, is an acclaimed historian and author.

Price: $5.00 per student (minimum 15 children) 4 adult participants are complementary

FOR MORE INFORAMTION AND TO REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAM, CALL THE CONSERVANCY AT (212) 374-4100 EXT 2. OR REGISTER ONLINE WITH OUR REGISTRATION FORM.

Recently we recived many thanks from children who have participated in the “A Day in the Life of an Immigrant Child” program. Click on the images below to view them closer.

The contents of this website section were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.