My unit theme is child labor today and yesterday

Child Labor Today and Yesterday

A Unit Plan by Debbie Martin

Table of Contents:

Overview and Rational

Teacher Background Information

Unit Planning Chart

Organization and Subject Matter

Goals and Objectives

Learning Activities Bank

Assessment

Appendices

Overview and Rationale

My unit theme is child labor today and yesterday. This topic first interested me in elementary school when I learned about child labor in the United States during the Industrial Revolution. I remember finding it hard to believe that a nation as great as ours would place children in danger. I felt sad for the children that had to suffer, but I was also relieved that our government eventually created laws to protect children; however, I later learned that the United States cannot protect children through out the world and that child labor continues to be a global issue.

I not only chose this topic for my unit because I’m interested in it, but I also realized that I could create a unit on child labor that followed my Social Studies philosophy. One of my first beliefs is that teachers should connect the past with the present. I believe this can be accomplished in my unit plan because I will teach my students about child labor in the United States and also child labor today around the world.

Secondly I believe students should be actively engaged in learning. In this unit plan I offer several hands on activities including a labor strike, town meeting, book in a day, and a discussion about international organizations against child labor. This will give students a chance to not only understand the issue of child labor, but they will also find a way to solve it.

My final social studies belief is that social studies should be meaningful to the children. I think that child labor is a topic that every student will be able to relate to for several reasons First it involves children their age from the past. Children are automatically curious about what children from the past were like so I think that they will be interested in knowing the working conditions for children during the Industrial Revolution. Secondly the rules passed on child labor affect children today. They will be grateful to learn that they do not have to work because of things that happened in the past. And finally child labor continues to be a problem around the world today. I think children are always interested about what other children around the world are like. I think that they would be shocked to learn about child labor in the world today.

Besides following my social studies philosophy this unit also addresses several national standards. I focused on the following four standards during this unit.

1. Show how groups and institutions work to meet individual needs and promote the common good. In the unit I will be discussing how different people worked together to end child labor. Standard V g

2. Explore the role of technology in communications, transportation, information processing, weapons development or other areas as it contributes to our helps resolve conflicts. During this unit we will learn about how technology development during the industrial revolution added to the problem of child labor. Standard VI g

3. Identify examples of rights and responsibilities of citizens. Students will be learning about children’s rights today and laws that were created to protect children. They will also understand the responsibilities of other citizens to protect these rights. Standard X b.

4. Explore causes, consequences, and possible solutions to persistent contemporary and emerging global issues such as pollution and endangered species. Students will be learning about child labor around the world and how it is being solved. Standard IX d.

This unit will also coincide with the Utah State Standard 7 for fifth grade which states that students will analyze the contributions of individuals, groups, and movements in the United States from 1900 to the present. This standard will be addressed as students learn about child labor in the United States and the world.

In conclusion the history of child labor has always interested me. I discovered that I could build a unit plan around this idea that would follow my social studies philosophy and national and state standards.

Teacher Background

Child labor has always been part of American history. The Puritans believed that it was a virtue to be industrious and idleness was a sin. Children were taught to work at a young age. The early poor laws believed pauper children were condoned to work to help support their family income

The Industrial Revolution; however, had one of the greatest impacts on child labor. It moved children from the farm to the city. The nation’s economy was expanding and factories, mines, and mills needed plenty of cheap labor. Child labor was considered a necessity to further the material greatness of America and became less and less a question of moral principle. During the Industrial Revolution children as young as six worked long hours for little or not pay normally 12-14 hours. They worked in unsafe conditions surrounded by large, heavy and dangerous equipment. Some states had child labor laws, but they were often not enforced.

It was not until 1912 that the United State Children’s Bureau, a government agency, was charged with investigating working conditions and mobilizing public opinion against child labor. The reformers fought for a national child labor law that would apply equally to all American children. Congress finally passed a law like this in 1916, but in 1918 the Supreme Court believed they were “unconstitutional because they infringed on states rights and denied children the freedom to work.”

Child labor only began to fade away during the great depression of 1938 when adults were competing for jobs normally held by children. In that same year President Franklin Roosevelt passed the Fair Labor Standards for all workers and put limitations on child labor. Children under sixteen could not longer work in manufacturing and mining. By 1949 these laws were improved. Children’s work hours were limited and they could not work during school hours. Today although child labor has been eliminated in the US, it continues to be a problem throughout the world.

Unit Planning Chart

Science

Discuss why coal miners were affected by the black lung. What causes it and what effects does it have on the body?
Explain what cancer is.

Read aloud

Read to children a book about child labor.
Read children the first chapter of Lyddie before you begin a book in a day project.

Music

· Listen to songs about children working. Discuss if it is a type of child labor or not.

· Listen to the song from the movie Newsies “Carrying the Banner” and discuss what it was like trying to sell newspapers on the streets.

Oral language

Have students participate in a Reader’s Theater on the Industrial Revolution. (See attachment)
Have students create a role play about the day in the life of a child laborer.

Written Language

Write a poem about working in the Mills or the coal mines.
Write a book review on the book Lyddie.

Art

Do a weaving project to represent weaving done in the factory.
Create a picture using coal.
Draw a picture of what they think the inside of a factory looked like.

Math

Compare the cost of living today and today’s wages with those during the Industrial Revolution.
Create a budget for a family living during the Industrial Revolution with the incomes of the parents and the children. Include expenses such as housing, food, and clothing.

Physical Movement

Have students imagine what is would be like to work in the mine have them pretend to crawl through the shafts and gather coal.
Have students pretend they are threading a large machine at the mill.

Technology

Show students websites about different international child labor organizations.
Show students pictures of children working from the Lewis Hine webpage.

Organization and Subject Matter Overview

The content will be organized in two ways. First it will be organized chronologically. It will follow child labor from the past to the present. Secondly the unit plan is organized problem to solution. The problem of child labor is first addressed and then students find a way to solve it. This unit begins by students learning what child labor is. It then follows the history of child labor in America and its solution. And finally we discuss child labor in the world today. Most of the activities in this unit are done in groups so the classroom will need to be organized so that students can work in a group.

Week 1: What is Child Labor?

Day 1

What is child labor?

Difference and similarities:

This unit will begins with students discussing the differences and similarities between pictures of children working during the Industrial Revolution and children playing today.

KWL chart: I will begin a KWL chart to assess what children already know about child labor and also what they want to learn.

Reflective Journals: I will show students how to create a reflective journal which they will be using throughout the unit. This will resemble a portfolio. The journal will be used for quickwrites, diagrams, notes, vocabulary, and reflections. This journal will not only be a tool for assessment, but students will also use it as a reference as they complete activities in this unit.

Day 2

Child labor quiz:

Together as a class students will take a quiz to test their knowledge about what they think they know about child labor. After taking the quiz together as a class we will discuss what is considered child labor. Students take notes in their reflective journal about what child labor is and isn’t. They will also reflect about how child labor laws affect their lives today.

Day 3

Today’s laws on child labor:

Students will be presented with today’s laws on child labor. They will discuss as a group what they like about the laws today and what they would like to change. Students will write a thank you letter to Congress or a proposal to change the laws on child labor in their reflective journals.

Day 4

Reasons for child labor:

Divide students into groups. Pass out strips of paper to each group with reasons why child labor happened in the United States. Students will discuss with their groups why these reasons had an affect on child labor. Students will then rank the reasons according to the impact they had on child labor. Then they will discuss as a whole group and come to a consensus about what they believe had the greatest impact on child labor.

Items written on strips of paper:

· Early poor laws wanted to prevent children from becoming public charge.

· Puritans believed in the virtue of industry and the sin of idleness.

· Spinning schools and houses of industry were created to provide employment of children.

· It was considered shameful for children to spend their time in the streets.

· The Great Law of Province, Pennsylvania provided that all children of the age of twelve years shall be taught some useful trade or skill.

· Child labor was a national asset that furthered the material greatness of America.

· Linen manufactories believed employment for the poor would lessen the burden of caring for them.

· Poor children could assist their parents in getting a livelihood.

· Laws that provided a low minimum of school were not enforced.

Day 5

Industrial Revolution and its effects on child labor:

Have students read about the Industrial Revolution using reciprocal reading. Create a chart with students about what the Industrial Revolution was and why it caused child labor. Have students copy this chart in their reflective journals.

What is the Industrial Revolution?

Why did it cause child labor?

Week 2: Child Labor in the United States

Day 6

What was it like?

Have pictures representing groups of children working during the Industrial Revolution. Students will choose a picture and write a story about it in their reflective journal and then share their stories with the class.

Day 7

Book in a day

Student will read the book Lyddie, a historical fiction, in a day. They will understand what it was like for a child laborer.

Day 8

Occupations held by children

Students will research other occupations held by children using picture books and other sources. They will collect enough data to understand and present what it was like for those children to work in their jobs.

Day 9

I am From Poem

Students will write an “ I am From” poem based on the occupation they have researched. Then share the poem with the class.

Week 3: Solving Child Labor

Day 10

Labor union mock trial

Begin this lesson by sharing the story of the Lowell Mill girls going on strike. Tell students that they will have a chance to make demands to their boss about changing working conditions. Students will be using information from their research on different child labor occupations and information they have on child labor laws today to create their demands. With each demand students will write why they believe the demand should be met and how.

Day 11

Labor union mock trial

The students will present their demands and rationales to the teacher. The teacher will act as the factory owner and choose whether she/he will request or deny the demands. After the activity the teacher will discuss why it was so hard to end child labor and the control the factory owner had over the children. In student’s reflective journal they will write one thing they learned and how they felt about the trial.

Day 12

Town meeting

Divide students into small groups. Each group of students will receive information about one of the different types of people involved in the child labor movement such as doctors, parents, national child labor committee, Lewis Hine, and factory owners. The groups will read about their character or group and their opinions on child labor. Students will then prepare an argument to present to the class either for or against child labor. Students can send one or two people from their group to be a diplomat to talk to members of other groups and gather information that will further strengthen their argument. This activity would be similar to the activity in class involving Native Americans being removed from their land

Day 13

Town meeting

Students will hold a town meeting. Before the meeting begins the teacher and students will create rules the class must follow during the meeting. Each group will present their information and debate over the issue of child labor. Students will come to a consensus about what to do about child labor in their town.

Day 14

How it was resolved

Student and teacher will discuss different ways child labor came to an end in the United States. Students will write a short What if paper in their reflective journal about what life would be like in the United States if child labor was not eliminated. Students and teacher will add to KWL chart and fill out new information students have learned.

Week 4: Child Labor Around the World

Day 15

Child labor around the world will be introduced. Divide students in groups and give each group a current newspaper article. Have students research the country that is mentioned in the article and write reasons this country may have problems with child labor.

Day 16

Continue to research and share with the class.

Day 17

Compare child labor in the United States during the Industrial Revolution and child labor around the world today. Have students create a Venn Diagram with their groups to place in their reflective journal.

Child labor in the US Child Labor around the world

Day 18

Organizations helping to end child labor:

Introduce students to international organization working to end child labor by walking them through a website of an organization. Discuss what the organization is doing to help end child labor based on the information from the website. Give each group a different organization that is helping end child labor. The information can be printed off from each organizations website. Have the groups read the packet of information about the organization they should find out how the organization was founded, what they hope to accomplish, and what they are currently doing to end child labor.

Day 19

Ending child labor

Student will write an advertisement convincing other students to join their organization. They will share these with the class.

Day 20

Students will use all their information from the entire unit to create a proposal to the world about the rights for all children. Student will reflect on the unit and complete the KWL chart

Goals and Objectives

There are several goals in this unit that will be accomplished that follow state and national standards. The first national standard addressed in this unit is Standard Vg. Show how groups and institutions work to meet individual needs and promote the common good. This standard will be met as students discuss different groups and individuals that worked to abolish child labor in a town meeting. Students will also be discussing different international organizations that are working to eliminate child labor around the world.

The second national standard addressed is Standard V g 2. Explore the role of technology in communications, transportation, information processing, weapons development or other areas as it contributes to our helps resolve conflicts. During this unit we will read about how technology development during the Industrial Revolution added to the problem of child labor. Students will understand how although technology is a positive thing it can also have negative effects.

The third standard addressed is Standard X b. Explore causes, consequences, and possible solutions to persistent contemporary and emerging global issues such as pollution and endangered species. Students will be learning about child labor around the world. In groups that will read articles about different countries that have problems with child labor and they will also learn about different organizations that are helping to end child labor.

Finally the most important standard discussed in this unit is Standard VI g Identify examples of rights and responsibilities of citizens. Students will be learning about children’s rights today and how they received those rights in the United States. Students will also understand first hand how difficult it is to earn rights by participating in a labor strike and town meeting activities.

Learning Bank Activities

Lesson 1

Title of lesson: Introduction to Child Labor

Teacher: Miss Martin

Date: October 16, 2003

Time Allotted: 1 hour

Grade Level: 5

Number of Learners: 25-30 divided in to groups of 4-6 students

Unit Theme: Child labor today and yesterday

Standards met: see below

Goal: The students will be able to identify examples of rights and responsibilities of citizens. Standard VI g

Objectives: Given pictures of child laborers during the Industrial Revolution and pictures of children today, students will organize the pictures according to differences and similarities to understand the changes of children’s responsibilities from the Industrial Revolution to today.

Materials needed:

Pictures of children during the Industrial Revolution about 8 for each group

Pictures from magazines of children today playing about 8 for each group

6 manila envelopes

Chart paper and marker

Reflective journals for all students

Construction paper

Overhead of daily response sheet

Preparation:

In preparation for the lesson the teacher should create packets for each group of students. This activity works best for groups of 4-6 students. So for a class of 30 I would create about 5 to 7 packets. Each packet contains pictures of children during the Industrial Revolution and also pictures of children today. There should be about 20 pictures in each packet. I found pictures of children from the Industrial revolution in the book “akjd;oifjeo” These same pictures can also be found on the internet type in Lewis Hine and you should find several websites that contain his photos. I collected pictures of children today from magazines and the internet. After I found the photos I made copies for each packet and then glued them on cardstock. This way the photos will not be destroyed. Then put the photos in a manila envelope and wrote the words top secret across the top. I also created a letter to read to the students. This makes the activity more realistic.

Before this lesson the teacher should also create a KWL chart on paper that will be used during the entire unit. Reflective Journals should also be ready made for students. I have included the guide to making a reflective journal at the end of this lesson plan.

Motivation:

To begin this lesson there will be large unopened manila envelopes on each group’s table with the words Top Secret written across the top. Explain to the class that they have just received top secret information that they must analyze. Along with the manila envelopes that were sent to the school earlier this morning, there was a letter with specific instructions to follow. Read students the letter attached below. After the letter is read clarify any questions students may have about their assignment. Then set a timer and have students open the packets and start.

Procedure:

Have students open the packets. Walk around the room and watch them sort the pictures.
Ask students what they notice are the same in all the pictures and what is different about these photos.
After students have had time to sort the pictures discuss as a whole class what they noticed about the photos. What was the main difference among them? Direct student to noticing that some of the pictures were of children working while others were of children playing.
Tell them that the black and white photos are pictures of children working during the early part of the 1900’s and the colored pictures are of children today.
Have students put the pictures back in the packet and gather students on the rug around the KWL chart you created earlier.
Tell students that over the next few weeks they will be discussing child labor.
Ask students what they already know about the topic. Write student’s responses on the paper.
Then ask students what they would like to know about the topic or about the children in the black and white pictures. Write student’s questions on the chart.
Tell them that throughout this unit you believe that many of their questions will be answered. Have students return to their seats.
Tell students that they will be compiling the information from this unit in a reflective journal. Show students an example of a journal.
Walk students through the different sections and how to use them. Pass out a journal to each student.
Have them turn to the section daily response.
Reproduce this section on an overhead. Model how to fill this sheet out with the students.
Begin by filling out the date. Then ask students what they learned today and write their response under the section What I learned.
Ask students what their reaction to the lesson was. How did it make them feel? Write their response in the section How I felt.
Finally ask students if there was anything about the lesson that was still unclear. Write their questions in the section Questions I still have
Invite students to fill out their own response sheet about what they remember from the lesson.

Accommodation

If I knew a child was going to struggle with the activity, I would give them a peer tutor to work with during the group activity

Closure:

For closure students have a chance to share with their class or groups what they wrote in their reflective journal.

Assessment/evaluation

I will read their reflective journals and listen as we discuss what they found was similar and different in the pictures.

Extension:

Ask students to look for pictures of children working or playing today and bring them to class to share

Lesson 2

Title of Lesson: Child labor Quiz

Teacher Miss Martin

Date October 17, 2003

Time Alloted 45 min

Grade Level 5

Number of learners 25-30

Unit theme: Child Labor Today and Yesterday

Standards met: (see below)

Goals: The learners will be able to identify examples of rights and responsibilities of citizens Standard VI g

Objectives: Given a quiz on child labor and information about what child labor is the learner will identify the difference between situations of child labor and normal activities for children to understand what the rights of children in the United States are.

Materials

Child Labor Quiz

Construction paper

Marker

Preparation:

1. Construct three signs. Each should have one of the following written on them 1. Child labor 2. Not child labor 3. Not sure

2. Create a chart on the board like the one below

Question	Child Labor	Not child labor	Not sure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

3. Create a second chart like the one below

What is child labor?	What isn’t child labor?

Motivation

1. Begin by asking students about different jobs they do around the house. Write students responses on the board.

2. Tell students how much you hated doing chores when you were little especially the dishes. Tell them that you used to believe that this was against the law because it was child labor.

3. Ask students if they think it should be illegal to do chores. Why or why not?

Procedure:

1. Tell students that today they will be learning about what is considered to be child labor. You have a few scenarios that you will be reading to them and they need to determine if they are examples of child labor or not.

2. Explain that around the room you have posted signs. The first sign says child labor. The second sign says not child labor and the third sign says I’m not sure.

3. Tell students that after you read the scenario they will stand next to the sign that they believe this scenario represents.

4. Ask students to repeat back the instructions to you and take any questions for clarification.

5. Read the first scenario. Then invite students to move from their seats to the sign they believe the scenario is.

6. Use the chart that you created before the lesson to record the number of students that are standing underneath each sign.

7. Read the next scenario. Then invite students to move underneath the sign they believe the new scenario represents.

8. Repeat step 7 until all the scenarios have been read. Then have students move back to their seats.

9. Discuss the chart with the students to see if they came to a consensus or if they were confused about what is considered child labor.

10. Read the scenarios again and give students the correct answers.

11. Use your second chart that you create before the lesson and ask students based on the quiz what do they think child labor is. Write their responses on the chart.

12. Next ask students what they believe child labor isn’t. Record their responses on the other half of the chart paper.

13. Add anything the students forgot to mention. Make sure they cover all the ideas listed on the What is child labor quiz sheet under the headings What is child labor and what isn’t child labor.

14. Have students copy the chart in their reflective journals and also fill out their daily response sheet.

Accommodation:

I offered the option of I’m not sure when students have to decide if each scenario is child labor or not. This way they do not have to be embarrassed if they don’t know the answer. If a student struggled with writing I would copy the chart we created in class and give it to them the next day in class.

Closure:

Have students answer the question addressed at the beginning of class. Are doing chores at your house against the law? Based on information in the lesson students should be able to answer the question.

Assessment/evaluation

There are several ways I assessed this lesson. First I created a chart with students about what child labor is and isn’t. If students understood the lesson they will be able to fill out this chart. Secondly students were given time to write in their reflective journals. I would read these after class to get an idea what students learned and what questions they still had.

Extension:

Students go home and do chores for their parents without complaining because this is not child labor.

Lesson 3

Title of Lesson: Book in a day Lyddie

Teacher Miss Martin

Date October 18, 2003

Time Allotted: the entire school day

Grade level 5

Number of learners 25-30

Unit Theme Child labor today and yesterday

Standards met : see below

Goal: The learners will be able to identify examples of rights and responsibilities of citizens Standard VI g

Objective: Given the book Lyddie the learners will create a chart about the chapters they read to share the book with the class and understand what life was like for a child laborer.

Materials needed

Classroom set of the book Lyddie

Butcher or chart paper

Markers

Crayons

Pencils

Motivation:

Begin by introducing the book Lyddie to the class. This book is about a young girl who had to leave her home to go work at the mill. Show students the cover of the book and read the back of the book . Tell students that they will have an opportunity to read the whole book in one day without actually having to read all the chapters.

Procedure:

Tell students that you are going to begin the book by reading the first chapter aloud to them. Gather students on the rug and read the first chapter.
After you have read the first chapter ask students to go back to their seats.
Divide the class into five groups and then divide the chapters into five sections. Assign each group a section to read.
Tell students that they will be given time to read their section and that they should take notes about what happens in their chapters so that they will be able to share what they read with the rest of the class.
Give students time to read their chapters.
When all the groups have finished have them discuss with their groups what they thought the main events of the story were. Students should compare their notes with other members of their group. Then as a group make a list of all the main events.
After the group has identified the main events, give them a piece of chart paper and tell them that they should write and draw pictures on the chart paper about the events in their chapters
Give students time to complete their chart.
After all the charts have been completed, have students present their charts in order from the first chapters read to the last.
After students have listened to each groups’ presentation, it will feel as if they read the whole book in a day
Display the charts around the room in order.

Accommodations:

I would divide the sections up unevenly and give struggling reader the smallest section so that they would be able to finish the assignment. I would also consider partner reading if the student needed it

Closure:

End with discussing why the book was related to the topic of child labor and what students thought about child labor after reading this book. Ask students how the problem was solved in the story.

Assessment: Based on the information on the chart the teacher will be able to know that the students read and understood their chapters. During our discussion about child labor and the book I will listen to see if students understand how the book was related to the topic.

Extension:

Have students write in their reflective journals about what they liked about the story and how it made them feel.

Teacher Reflection

Lesson 4

Title of lesson: Town Meeting on Child labor

Teacher: Miss Martin

Date: October 18, 2003

Time Allotted: 45 mins

Grade Level 5

Number of Learners 25-30

Unit theme: child labor today and yesterday

Standards met

Goal: Show how groups and institutions work to meet individual needs and promote the common good. (Standard Vg.) Identify examples of rights and responsibilities of citizens. (Standard VI g)

Objectives: Given information about different groups and individuals concerned with child labor students will create an argument for or against child labor in order to understand the how groups and individuals work together to solve a problem.

Materials Needed:

Lewis Hine Pictures

Information sheet for factory owners, reformers, parents, national child labor committee, doctors.

Motivation:

Tell students that after hearing about all the horrible stories of child labor you have decided to call a town meeting to discuss the issue. Tell them that everyone from the town is invited to attend and present an argument for or against child labor and together you will decide if you want to stop child labor in your town. Tell students that they will each be assigned to be a member of the town and that they will be presented with information about the character they are assigned to. With the information they should create arguments to present to the class that will convince students to think the way they do.

Procedures:

After explaining the activity divide the students into five groups. Tell students that they should follow the directions on the papers they are given. Present each group with information about their town member. Have students read and discuss with their group the information presented.
Walk around the room and observe students working with their groups. Answer any questions that arise and encourage students to develop their arguments.
After each group has had time to discuss and create their argument, tell students that they may select two diplomats to travel to other groups. The diplomats can ask other groups what they think about child labor and also present their own arguments.
Once the diplomats have traveled to other groups they can report their finding to their own groups
The group can decide to change or add to their arguments based on their findings.Tell students that they should now be ready to present to the class tomorrow.
Give students a chance to write in their response journals about information they have learned.

Accommodations:

Students will be working with groups. This will help everyone be involved. The group can decide who they want to present their information to the class so that students who are uncomfortable with this will not have to.

Closure:

End by asking students if th