We will study, analyze and understand the child labor abuses during the Industrial Revolution

TIPS WEB QUEST

CHILD LABOR ABUSE AT THE TURN OF THE 20^TH CENTURY

Marc John-Baptiste CIS22BX

INTRODUCTION: You will study, analyze and understand the child labor abuses during the Industrial Revolution. During the Industrial Revolution thousands of immigrants came to the U.S. in search of a new life and jobs. They quickly realized that life was difficult in the U.S. Children as young as seven and eight years of age were sent out to work either on the streets or in factories to support their families. Using groups you will research the following task questions in order to get a better understanding of how the child labor laws protect teenagers who want to work part-time jobs.

TASK: Each group will be assigned a set of questions and will use available sources to get answers for these questions. You can use the Internet as a source, but you must use other types of research sources like encyclopedias, library, newspapers and magazines. You will be required to write a summary for each question that‘s answered and if a labor law had an effect on the situation. In order to answer the following questions and complete this web quest, you also must use the following Public Policy steps: define the problem, gather evidence, identify causes, evaluate a policy, develop solutions, select best solution. These are the following task questions: 1. Why did so many children have to work? 2. What were the school attendance rates during this era? 3. Did the parents also work? 4. Where were most of the immigrant families coming from during this time? 5. What were the most common jobs? 6. What were the life expectancy rates? 7. How many hours did the children work on average? 8. How much were they paid? 9. Was the money enough? 10. What were the laws that were passed to prevent this? 11. In what year was the first law passed to protect the children? At the end of our research you will have a better understanding child labor. Everyone will answer the following two questions: Why do we need child labor laws today? Is it really necessary? After all we are living in the 21^st century, and are a lot smarter than in the past.

PROCESS: In order to complete this web quest, you must follow the Public Policy steps found at the TIPS web site below (the first link). At this web site, you will use the first six steps (links highlighted in blue on the left side of the page); in order to answer the task questions. You will also use the links below (except the first one), to gather information on child labor abuses. Each group will divide the task questions amongst you. As a group you will decide who will answer which questions. As a group you will take the individual summaries for each question, put them together and edit the summaries into a formal report on your findings. If you choose to answer the task questions one at a time or together then this is also acceptable. If you come up with any other suggestions feel free to let me know.

RESOURCES: The following web sites may be used to help you answer your task questions:

You must also access the library and use the research books there, magazines, encyclopedias, class textbook and newspapers.

EVALUATION: Upon completion of your report, each group will be graded based upon: A) The amount of information gathered B) The quality of the information gathered C) How well the information was edited into the final report and D) How well the report was presented (pictures, graphs, and audio, visual). A letter grade of A+ to A- will be awarded to the group who has successfully used all six public policy steps to put together their final report with pictures, graphs or other visuals. A letter grade of B+ to B- will be awarded to the group who has used at least five of the six public policy steps to put together their final report with pictures, graphs and other visuals. A letter grade of C+ to C- will be awarded to the group who has used at least four of the six public policy steps to put together their final report with pictures, graphs and other visuals. A letter grade of D or F will be awarded to the group who has used at least three of the six public policy steps to put together their final report with pictures, graphs and other visuals.

STANDARDS:

New York State Social Studies Standard 5: Civics, Citizenship, and Government

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the necessity for establishing governments; the governmental system of the United States and other nations; the United States Constitution; the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy; and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.

New York State English Language Arts Performance Standards

E1c: Read and comprehend informational materials.

E2a: Produce a report of information.

E3b: Participate in group meetings.

E3c: Prepare and deliver an individual presentation

CONCLUSION: In the end you will have learned about child labor abuses and the purpose of the present day child labor laws. You will understand the way of life for children during the early 20^th century. You will also have learned how to use the six public policy steps when putting together any report or research paper in the future. You will compare your lives today in comparison to the lives of children your age 100 years ago. How much better or worse is it today than in the past? Do the child labor laws in the U.S. apply to other countries? Are children protected in other countries? Don’t let your learning stop here, analyze other countries and compare your information to what you find out about them.