What’s in Bridget Cummings’ Suitcase?

1865-1880
for grades: 
2-5
objective: 
As part of a larger curriculum surrounding immigration, this lesson will introduce the student to the differences and similarities between his/her possessions and that of a mid-19th century Irish immigrant girl.  It may also be used to stress the difference in dress between the 19th century and 2008.
materials: 
Large (11" x 17" or larger) paper - one per student
Colored pencils or markers
Old suitcase or bundle with either: pictures of items listed below or replica items if they are available.
Picture book about immigrant child
Kalman, Bobbie, 19th Century Clothing 1993

Suggestions:
Tarbescu. Annushka's Voyage. Clarion, 1998
Peacock. At Ellis Island: A History in Many Voices,
2007 (in the introduction bags and boxes of immigrants are mentioned)
Moloney. Far from the Shamrock Shore.
(not a children's book, but full of information about Irish immigrants with pictures and music)

relevant websites: 

Nineteenth Century Clothing:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/features/round/19th_century_women/

Immigrant and working women's fashions were not depicted in fashion magazines of the day.  The Ford Maddox Brown painting, "The Last of England" is an excellent view into the clothing an immigrant girl might have worn.

http://artchive.com/artchive/B/brown/brown_last_of_england.jpg.html

procedure: 
  1. Read the picture book about a child coming to America. As you read point out the bags, bundles, or suitcases the illustrator shows. Discuss what it must have been like for a child to take such a voyage, possibly alone.
  2. Tell the class that they will be imagining that they are from a foreign land and that they will be coming to America. They should imagine which of their possessions they would be taking with them. They will only have one suitcase and, as in the book, there are no wheels, it is an old suitcase and they must be able to carry it themselves.
  3. Have students draw the outline of a large suitcase on the paper. Students will draw and label the items they wish to take with them.
    EXTENSION: Write about why specific items are important to them to take.
  4. When students have finished, the whole class will come together to share what they have chosen and why.
  5. Teacher will bring the old suitcase or bundle and will tell children the story of Bridget Cummings coming to America (see attachment below). Then tell the class, "You've packed your suitcase. What do you think Bridget put in hers?"

Begin to unpack Bridget's suitcase. What is in the suitcase could be mounted photos of real items.

  • a long skirt - why just one?
  • Blouse
  • Shawl
  • Photo of family
  • Rosary
  • Stockings
  • Bible

Teacher may want to discuss 19th century dress and how different it is from 20th century.

How does this compare to what you have in your suitcase?
Do you have more things than Bridget?
Why do you think she has so few things?
What about her clothes?
What do you think she will do when she arrives in Philadelphia?

PA history standards: 
8.1, 8.2
AttachmentSize
Bridgets Story183.53 KB
Suitcase Items252.14 KB
LESSON - as pdf document55.36 KB