Lesson Plan #1
I. Objectives
· The student will be able to define what child labor is in their own words
· The student will be able to form, express and defend their reasoning on whether child labor is okay or not.
Social Studies
USII.4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of how life changed after the Civil War by
e) describing the impact of the Progressive Movement on child labor, working conditions, the rise of organized labor, women’s suffrage, and the temperance movement.
Math
6.7 The student will solve single-step and multistep practical problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals.
English:
6.5 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of informational selections.
a) Identify questions to be answered.
b) Draw conclusions and make inferences based on explicit and implied information.
6.2 The student will listen critically and express opinions in oral presentations.
a) Compare and contrast viewpoints.
b) Present a convincing argument.
c) Use grammatically correct language and vocabulary appropriate to audience, topic, and purpose.
NCSS:
- #2: Time, Continuity, and Change
- #4- Individual Development and Identity
· Essential Questions:
o What is child labor?
o Should child labor be allowed?
Estimated Time: 45 minutes
II. Materials for Learning Activities
· Online article: Newt Gingrich Thinks School Children Should Work as Janitors
· Whiteboard and markers
· Paper and pencil for students (if they need it to write down their ideas)
III. Procedures for Learning Activities
· Instruction –
o Ask students the following questions (write their answers on the board)
§ How many/what type of chores do you have at home?
· How long do these chores take you everyday (or week)?
§ How many of you have a job?
§ How old do you have to be to work?
§ What do you receive in exchange for the work that you do?
§ Explain to students that we will be starting a unit on the Progressive Era, particularly child labor, poor working conditions
o Have students read the article “Newt Gingrich Thinks School Children Should Work as Janitors”
§ After students have read the article have them pair up (or get in groups of 3) to discuss the article
§ What did they think of the article?
§ What do they think is Gingrich’s overall point of his speech?
§ What are some pros/cons of Gingrich’s argument?
§ Do they agree with Gingrich? Why or why not?
§ What do you think would happen if what Gingrich proposes goes into action?
§ When do they think is an age children should be allowed to work? What type of work should children be able to do at that age? How is your view similar/different from Gingrich’s?
o Come back together as a class to discuss the article and have students create a definition for child labor
o After students have created a definition, read students the ‘official’ definition of child labor (Child labor, as defined by International Labour Organization (ILO) is work done by children under the age of 12; work by children under the age of 15 that prevents school attendance; and work by children under the age of 18 that is hazardous to their physical or mental health. Child labor is an economic activity or work that interferes with the completion of a child's education or that is harmful to children in any way. Child labor is not confined to one particular industry and is found in most countries around the world. The cruelest forms of child labor are those that force children to work for long hours in dangerous conditions for little to no compensation. Some children are found working in large factories, manning large pieces of equipment. Others work in fields, mines, and quarries for up 20 hours a day. Some children find themselves in 'bonded labour' working to pay off generations worth of debt. )
§ Have students discuss with a partner what they think a simplified definition of child labor should be and as a class discuss and come up with a simplified definition of child labor
· Closure
o Have students rephrase to you what child labor is and why it should or should not be allowed in the US (and the world)
IV. Assessment
· Were students able to point out important facts in the definition of child labor?
· Were students able to defend their view/point about the Gingrich article with supporting evidence/facts from the article?
V. Differentiation
· Extension: Have students find the income of the average janitor (hourly wage x 40 x52= x amount). Then have students go online and see what tax bracket they would be in and deduct this amount from their income. Is this adequate payment to support a family? Would they be willing to work for this much money? Why or why not? What if it was a job other than being a janitor? Would they take that payment then?
· Group work will help LD, ADHD (and all students) help students stay focused and also hearing other people’s ideas/opinion can help these students form their own opinions
· Article- pair up struggling readers with stronger readers, they may read the article aloud. Students may also listen to the article on tape (recorded by the teacher or an adult volunteer)