Labor Movements in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Introduction

This activity will familiarize students with historical labor movements in the U.S Virgin Islands. Students must demonstrate understanding of the cause for, actions of, and consequens rendered by specific labor movements in the territory. Students will conduct thorough research and compose a one page essay summarizing one of these events. Students will then analyze their current occupation as students and create a named Student Union, a list of goals or demands, and a list of potential actions to acheive those goais. Students will convey this information through a group PowerPoint presenation to the class. The purpose of this exercise is for students to aquire new knowledge of past labor struggles and then apply that knowledge by evaluating how to improve their own positions as students through organization, vision, and cooperative action.

Task

1) Each student in every group will turn in an individual one page essay summarizing the causes, actions taken, and consequences of one of the following events.

St. Croix Labor Revolt of 1878
St. Croix Labor Strike of 1916
ST. Thomas Coal Carrier Strike of 1892

2) Each group will create a PowerPoint presentation that will include

The name of their Student Union
A list of at least three goals that are aimed at improving student welfare
A list of actions students can take to achieve these goals

3) Each group will present their PowerPoint to the class

Process

1) Choose one of the following three labor movements and research it by accessing the following links, then write an individual summary of the causes, actions, and consequences.

St. Croix Labor Revolt of 1878

St. Croix Labor Strike of 1916

St. Thomas Coal Strike of 1892

2) As a group, create a "labor movement" of your own by forming a Student Union with its own original name, set of (at least three)goals, and potential student actions to reach them. Each group will create a PowerPoint presentation that will detail this information. For tips on using PowerPoint, see this link from PCMag or this link from Microsoft Office

3) As a group, present your PowerPoint to the class. Inform them of the name of your Student Union, your goals to improve student welfare, and how you plan to achieve this. Each member of the group must speak and participate in the presentation.

Click here for information on Student Unions

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated individually and as a group.

Individual Labor Movement Essay: Each student will identify the causes, actions, and consequences of one of the labor movements listed - 40 points
Group PowerPoint Content: Each group will provide a PowerPoint presentation that includes Student Union name, (at least) three goals, and targeted actions to achieve them - 30 points
Group PowerPoint presentation: Each group will present to the class their PowerPoint presentation about their Student Advocacy Group and how they will improve student welfare, including specific actions students can take. Each student in the group must participate in the presentation - 30 points

Total Possible Points - 100 points

Conclusion

This activity has shown the power of organization through the examination of labor movements of the Virgin Islands in historical context. Students then use these examples of strength in numbers and common purpose to advance their own goals as it relates to their education. Students are encouraged to continue identifying issues that matter to them and organize together to affect change in their own lives.

Teacher Page

This WebQuest was created by Luke Bugel November 14th, 2015, is designed for 9th grade Social Science students, and incorporates the following standards:

Common Core

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.3
Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.

NETS

1. Basic Operations and Concepts Students: a. demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems. b. are proficient in the use of technology.

3. Technology Productivity Tools Students: a. use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity. b. use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, preparing publications, and producing other creative works.

5. Technology Research Tools Students: a. use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. b. use technology tools to process data and report results. c. evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.

Credits

http://www.vide.vi/data/userfiles/Contract%20Day.pdf

http://virginislandsdailynews.com/op-ed/storms-cannot-wash-away-firebur…

http://www.oberlinlibstaff.com/omeka_projects/exhibits/show/radical-thi…

http://www.forgottenbooks.com/readbook_text/The_Virgin_Islands_of_the_U…

http://www.here.vi/davidhamiltonjackson.html

http://daramonifah.wix.com/dollar-fo-dollar-virtual-museum

http://usstudents.org/about/