Have students read the book and then research what life was like for Chinese immigrants during that time. Ask them to report on how the book uses historical context to tell its story. Two novels about the Jewish experience during the era are The Night Journey by Kathryn Lesky, about a family's escape from Russia and the pogroms of 1900, and Goodbye to the Trees by Vicki Shiefman, the story of a young Russian immigrant's new life in America. After reading one or both of these novels, have students write a journal entry or letter as one of the characters in either book. Have students learn or perform a song from the era, such as the ragtime of Scott Joplin .
Students can locate sheet music or borrow recordings from the public library.
Have students find a book or Web site of photographs by Jacob Riis and discuss them in class. Ask them to offer their own reactions to the photographs. Discuss the topic in class. Students may want to write letters to the editor or local political leaders expressing their opinions. Have a team of students imagine they are on the planning board for a World Exposition of 2000, similar to the Paris Exposition of 1900.