Pistes d'exploration

Discuss your impression of the roles and expectations of women in Gilbreth

Rewrite the story from the point of view of one of Lillian’s children. Use details from the text and illustrations to help you imagine what life was like.

Use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast the work environments before and after Lillian improved them.

Think of an aspect of school life that could be improved through efficiency. Draw, label and describe an invention that would address this.

List the differences between raising 11 children (then) and 1-3 children (now). What modern commodities help make our lives more efficient?

Research other inventions that helped make our lives better. Share your findings in a media presentation.

With a partner and after listening to the story read aloud, draw a timeline of Lillian Gilbreth’s life. Share it with other groups, adjusting it as you go.

Define efficiency experts and ergonomics. Use a graphic organizer comparing the work environments before and after Lillian’s improvements.

Think of an area of school or home life that could be improved through efficiency. Draw, label and describe an invention what would address this. Get feedback from a few peers and adjust your invention accordingly.

All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine

Mots-clés

Biography , efficiency , family life , inventions , inventors , overcoming adversity , women

Commentaire descriptif

This book depicts the fascinating life of Lillian Gilbreth, who chose education, a career and a family. At a time when few women got university degrees, Lillian qualified as an engineer and psychologist, and translated those skills into a successful efficiency consultancy with her husband. After his death, she continued to support herself and 11 children with her skills and inventions. Plain language describes key episodes at work, family meetings and the loss of Frank Gilbreth: “She put the phone down … when Lillian returned there was no one on the line. Frank had collapsed in the telephone booth.… He’d died of a heart attack.” Lively illustrations are filled with details of life in early 20th century America. In one image, Lillian and her daughters bump around the kitchen: fingers are scraped, eggs fly and milk splashes. Other images show her new, efficient kitchen space, along with her inventions such as the foot-pedal garbage can, compartments for refrigerators and the electric mixer. (“No more aching arms!”) Bringing new meaning to the term “mother of invention,” this book offers a fine portrayal of Gilbreth’s rich, full and challenging life.