American Centuries

Pocumtuck Valley
Memorial Association

American Centuries > Lessons > History Lessons By Teachers > A Childhood Lost

A Childhood Lost

Details

Author
Janine Skorupski
Topic/Subject Area
Manners, Morals, Ethics; Media, Periodicals, Communication; Industry, Occupation, Work; Education, Literacy; Family, Children, Marriage, Courtship
Historical Era
Rise of Industrial America, 1878–1899, Progressive Era, World War I, 1900–1928
Grade Level
Middle School (6–8), High School (9–12)
Creation Date
2008
Last Revision Date
2024

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About This Lesson

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.

Materials & Resources

From the Collection:
Websites:

Teaching Plan

  1. Review background knowledge on expanding needs of factories due to the Industrial Revolution.
  2. Teacher generates discussion with question “Why did children work?”
  3. Review prior knowledge of the role of reformers during the Progressive Movement, and their growing concern over child labor conditions.
  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.”
  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
  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.
  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.
  8. Each group will present their findings in a group circle share.