Introduction
During the Gilded Age there was a gap between the rich and poor. The rich were able to live lavish lifestyles. Everyone in a poor family including children would have to work long hours, work in unsafe working conditions and receive low wages while still struggling financially. Fed up with conditions in the work place, workers started to band together to strike for better working conditions and wages. You will get to be newscasters and report on some of the major labor disputes in the Gilded Age.
Task
As newscasters, you will use multiple primary sources and create a news segment reporting the who, what, when, where and so what of the event. Your news story should be like nightly news or 60 minutes. Your headlining story should be about one of the strikes. You can also have interviews with the workers or owners. The news segments will be recorded on the school’s iPads and we will watch the segments in class.
Process
- Groups of 4-5 students will be chosen
- As a group, you will be given 5 minutes to choose a strike. Choices are first come, if your topic is already chosen you may choose a different one.
- Great Railroad Strike, 1877
- Haymarket Riot, 1886
- Homestead Steel Strike, 1892
- Pullman Strike, 1894
- You will go to the Library of Congress to gather sources for your news report. https://www.loc.gov/
- You will use a minimum of 4 different sources to gain different perspectives for your news stories.
- Create a script for your news segment. This must be submitted through Google Classroom for approval.
- On Google Classroom, each group will sign up either during lunch or after school to record your news segment.
- Come in on the day you signed up for and create your news segment.
Evaluation
|
|
Exemplary 4 |
Accomplished 3 |
Developing 2 |
Beginning 1 |
Did Not Complete |
|
Content |
20 points
All required questions are answered and the answer to the so what is connected to the relevance of today. |
16 points
All the required questions are answered. |
10 points
Some of the required questions are answered |
5 points
Questions are not fully answered |
0 points
Did not complete |
|
Organization |
10 points
Presentation followed a logical pattern |
8 points
Presentation parts are related to each other |
5 points
Most of the presentation is organized |
2 points
Presentation does not fit together at all |
0 points
Did not complete |
|
Clarity |
10 points
Presentation is clear and concise |
8 points
Presentation is mostly clear |
5 points
Presentation is somewhat clear |
2 points
Presentation is not clear at all |
0 points
Did not complete |
|
Use of Source material |
5 points
5 or more appropriate sources are used |
4 points
4 appropriate sources are used |
2 points
3 appropriate sources are used |
1 point
1-2 appropriate sources are used |
0 points
Did not complete |
|
Entertainment |
5 points
Presentation is engaging and fun to watch |
4 points
Presentation is mainly engaging to watch |
2 points
Presentation is somewhat engaging |
1 point
Presentation is tough to get into |
0 points
Did not complete |
Conclusion
At the end of this lesson, you will have created a news segment, based on information you have gathered. You will have analyzed and evaluated primary sources to gather information for your stories. You will have an understanding on the significance of these events to current policies and laws today. You will also gain experience of working with others in a group setting which is useful for the future depending on the jobs you get.
Food for thought
- What is the significance of Labor Day?
- Why do you think people wanted to create a holiday for the workingmen?
- What other movements have created holidays or change in this country?