Lesson Three: Child Labor and Working Conditions

Students will investigate the impact the Progressive Movement had on American society and how the movement reformed child labor and working conditions in the workforce.

Focus Question

What do you think life was like for the children who had to work at very young ages? What about school?

Warm Up

The class will begin with a discussion on why people the Progressive Movement influenced America to speak out against child labor and to call for reforms in the workplace. I will ask the students what they think life was like before child labor reforms.

Lesson

1. We will read aloud certain segments from the text book about the Progressive Movement and how it began and they people involved in the movement.
2. The class will watch the moviemaker presentation I made on child labor and workplace reform movement led by the Progressives.
3. We will discuss the movie. What were city conditions like? What family members worked? How important was children's education?
4. I will speak about Lewis Hine, a photographer at the turn of the century who took pictures of the poverty he witnessed in New York City. I will explain that Hine took most of the photographs in the movie.
5. Each student will choose a Hine photograph, and they will have to analyze the picture. In a 2 page paper, students will have to discuss if the pictures accurately portray the individual(s) or the scene. Why or why not? Students will have to use historical evidence to back up their opinions.
6. Another option is instead of choosing a Hine's photograph, artistic students may make their own version of a Hine's photograph. However, they will also be required to analyze their own artwork in a paper.
7. Students will present their photographs by Lewis Hine or their own artwork. They will explain what is captured in the photograph and why it is or is not accurate.

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c5b8f6644bfff4ae069a

Miss Williams Home