The Labour Movement - US History

This lesson examines the Labor Movement in the United States, focusing on the rise of labor unions, significant strikes, and key figures like Samuel Gompers, Eugene V. Debs, and César Chávez. Students will learn about the fight for workers’ rights, better wages, and safer working conditions. Activities include video analysis, timeline sorting, guided reading, and writing PEEKA paragraphs. The lesson concludes with a discussion on the movement’s impact on modern labor laws and workers’ rights.

Lesson Content and Activities:

Introduction:
Discuss the Labor Movement and its significance in American history.
Introduce today’s keywords: Unionization, Muckraking Journalism, Strikes, Collective Bargaining.

Video Task:
Watch videos on the Labor Movement and make notes on famous figures, key ideas, and opposition.

Timeline Activity:
Sort the timeline cards into the correct chronological order of significant events in the Labor Movement.

Primary Source Analysis:
Read and analyze primary sources related to key events and figures in the Labor Movement.
Complete guided reading activities.

Causes and Consequences:
Categorize and sort evidence into causes and consequences of key events during the Labor Movement.

Famous Figures Research:
Research a famous figure from the Labor Movement and create a presentation or fact file.

Writing Task:
Write a PEEKA paragraph explaining a significant impact of the Labor Movement on American history.

Peer Assessment:
Read through a partner’s paragraphs, highlight each PEEKA section, and provide feedback.

Class Discussion:
Share and discuss the PEEKA paragraphs.

Recap Quiz:
Participate in a recap quiz to reinforce key points from the lesson.

Resources:
Video links on the Labor Movement
Timeline cards
Primary source documents
Guided reading text
PEEKA paragraph guidelines and planning sheet

From a series of over 50 lessons made by Wolsey Academy on the history of the United States. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of world history and provide an excellent foundation for all future study. Each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills.
To find the complete bundle search on the Wolsey Academy website.

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