Kathleen Neumann, Maine Historical Society, Cumberland County
2020
3-5, 6-8
- Social Studies -- Civics & Government
- Social Studies -- Geography
- Social Studies -- History
8-18 days
- 1851-1920
- Civics & Citizenship
- Community
- Economy
- Environment/The Land
- The People/Peopling of Maine
These lesson plans were developed by Maine Historical Society for the Seashore Trolley Museum as a companion curriculum for the historical fiction YA novel "Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride" by Jean. M. Flahive (2019). The novel tells the story of Millie Thayer, a young girl who dreams of leaving the family farm, working in the city, and fighting for women's suffrage. Millie's life begins to change when a "flying carpet" shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm and when a fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, Millie finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. The lesson plans in this companion curriculum explore a variety of topics including the history of the trolley use in early 20th century Maine, farm and rural life at the turn of the century, the story of Theodore Roosevelt and his relationship with Maine, WWI, and the flu pandemic of 1918-1920.
- Students will practice the skills involved in researching and analyzing primary sources.
- Students will practice historical research skills.
- Students will be able to identify different modes of transportation historically used in Maine and why the use of the trolley system was innovative and efficient.
- Students will be able to identify different types of trolley cars and how they were used historically in Maine.
- Students will be able to describe the history of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban and the Narcissus.
- Students will be able to describe the shift from small family farms to commercial farming in Maine.
- Students will be able to identify the major agricultural industries and products historically associated with Maine.
- Students will be able to describe life on an early 20th century Maine family farm and how life has changed in Maine since the early 1900s.
- Students will be able to describe the differences between attending school in the early 20th century and attending school today.
- Students will be able to explain Theodore Roosevelt’s connections to Maine and the people of Maine.
- Students will be able to describe the work and accomplishments of Theodore Roosevelt.
- Students will be able to describe the platform of the Bull Moose Party.
- Students will be able to explain the role and duties of the President of the United States.
- Students will consider what qualities and skills would make a person a good candidate for President of the United States.
- Students will be able to describe the lives, work, and contributions of Americans on the home front during World War I using primary sources.
- Students will be able to explain what propaganda is and how it was used by the U.S. government during World War I.
- Students will be able to describe what many soldiers faced during World War I.
- Students will be able to describe the impact of the 1918-20 flu pandemic on World War I and people in Maine.
This companion curriculum consists of eight lessons. On this page, you'll find the lesson "Then and Now: Life in Maine". Find links to the PDFs for the other lesson plans below under "Additional Resources": Maine Agriculture, Trolley Lessons (2), TR Lessons (2), and WWI Lessons (2).
