|
Summary and Objective
Students will understand that instead of going to school, children as young as eight years old spent long hours working at various difficult jobs, created by demands of the expanding Industrial Revolution. Students will examine documents and photographs depicting the times and conditions under which these children labored. Students will understand the evolution of child labor laws begun by reformers during the Progressive Era.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Review background knowledge on expanding needs of factories due to the Industrial Revolution.
Step 2.
Teacher generates discussion with question "Why did children work?"
Step 3.
Review prior knowledge of the role of reformers during the Progressive Movement, and their growing concern over child labor conditions.
Step 4.
Students access the document "Nine and Ten Years Old" by the National Child Labour Committee. Discuss key phrases: "small and nimble:" "formative years;" "race deterioration:" and "poignant photographs."
Step 5.
Students follow the link to The History Place and peruse the photo journal by Lewis W. Hine titled Child Labor in America 1908-1912
Step 6.
Students in groups of three will be assigned to one of six stations where enlarged photographs depict the major work sites depicted in Hine's photo gallery: The Mill; Newsies; Miners; The Factory; Seafood Workers; Fruit Pickers.
Step 7.
Using the Photo Analysis worksheet from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration as a guide, students will record observations of photos at their assigned stations.
Step 8.
Each group will present their findings in a group circle share.
|
