A Magazine of Multiple Perspectives: The Industrial Revolution

In this project, students will step into the world of the Industrial Revolution by creating a magazine that captures the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of the era. Through a combination of visuals and written storytelling, students will illustrate how industrialization transformed daily life, work, and society, while highlighting differing viewpoints such as factory workers, business owners, reformers, and consumers. This activity challenges students to demonstrate their understanding of historical context, point of view, and the social and economic impacts of industrialization in a creative, engaging format that brings the time period to life

Students will use their iPads to create these magazines, making the project both accessible and engaging. Canva is a great option on iPad because it offers a wide variety of pre-created magazine templates, allowing students to focus more on content and historical accuracy rather than designing from scratch—just be sure they choose a template with multiple pages. For an added challenge, students can use an app like Pages on their iPads to design the entire layout themselves, requiring more intentional planning of structure, spacing, and visual flow while giving them full creative control.

For this Industrial Revolution magazine project, I break the assignment into five distinct components, each designed to highlight a different perspective or skill. Students will include: (1) a news article, (2) a travel guide, (3) a letter to the editor, (4) an advertisement, and (5) a political cartoon. Each section allows students to demonstrate their understanding of the era through both historical analysis and creative expression. Below were my specific requirements, but adjust as necessary to your own lesson!

• News Article: Students will write a news article on an Industrial Revolution topic of their choice. The article should be at least three paragraphs long, include a minimum of three relevant images, and be supported by reliable sources.
• Travel Guide: This section will explain the significance of a U.S. city that served as an important industrial hub during the time period, highlighting why it mattered to industrial growth.
• Letter to the Editor: Students will write a letter evaluating an Industrial Revolution entrepreneur, arguing whether they should be considered a Robber Baron or a Captain of Industry.
• Advertisement: Students will create an advertisement designed to persuade consumers to purchase a new invention or technological advancement from the Industrial Revolution.
• Political Cartoon: This final component will visually illustrate a key concept or issue related to the Industrial Revolution, demonstrating understanding through symbolism and satire.

Together, these elements create a well-rounded magazine that captures the complexity and impact of the Industrial Revolution from multiple viewpoints. Students are encouraged to design a compelling cover page that draws readers in at first glance. The cover should feature a catchy title, highlight an influential figure from the era, and include a visual or headline that entices the reader to open the magazine and explore the stories inside.