Amusement Parks and Coney Island during the Progressive Era

How did amusement parks like Coney Island’s Steeplechase Park and Luna Park influence urban entertainment and social life during the Progressive Era, and what challenges did they face? This lesson and activity examines the rise of amusement parks spotlighting Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY during the Progressive Era. Students will analyze primary and secondary source documents. They’ll then answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge.

Included in this resource:

Do Now - “Coney Island carousel” 1876 primary source and scaffolding questions
“Amusement Parks and Coney Island” reading passage and scaffolding questions
Coney Island Document Pass/Station Activity/Analysis with scaffolding questions for each
Brooklyn Rapid Transit System
Luna Park
Riding an Elephant
Bad Elephant
Steeplechase Park
Water Carnival
Coney Island Swept by Fire
Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the development and events of amusement parks like Coney Island’s Steeplechase Park and Luna Park shape the cultural and social dynamics of the Progressive Era, and what were some significant challenges they encountered?
Answer key for teachers
★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you!

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