NCSS Notable Trade Book Lesson Plan Queen of the Falls Written by Chris Van Allsburg

Abstract

This extended lesson plan uses the book Queen of the Falls to investigate the life of Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to successfully fall over Niagara Falls in a barrel Niagara Falls. Through the various activities, students will explore resources such as photographs, first-hand accounts, newspaper articles, songs, and poems from the era, to learn what life was like for women in 1901, and to discuss the events surrounding Taylor’s decision to venture over Niagara Falls. Several questions will be posed to the students including “How was Annie Edson Taylor a woman of her time?” “To what extent was Annie Edson Taylor a hero?” “Was Annie Edson Taylor’s trip over the Falls worth the attempt for fame and fortune?” The lesson concludes with the following question: “Was Annie Edson Taylor a woman of her time or by her design?”

Citation

Gradwell, J.M., Acanfora, L.M., Lindsay, E. and Vaughn, K. (2014), "NCSS Notable Trade Book Lesson Plan Queen of the Falls Written by Chris Van Allsburg", Social Studies Research and Practice, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 189-201. https://doi.org/10.1108/SSRP-01-2014-B0011