The purpose of the lesson is to provide students with a brief history of the impetuous for the early 1900’s labor movement then contrast it with comparative labor and societal issues today. Retrieve the story of “My Cotton Dress” from https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/childlabor/cottondress

Topics and Learning Activities:

 Labor laws, for people less than 18 years old, today will be presented,

 The Industrial Revolution’s effects on society, the economy, emigration, and education will be presented.

 Students will read “My Cotton Dress.”

 Students will identify the Industrial Revolution’s societal issues that are being addressed in “My Cotton Dress.”

 Students will identify the current labor laws that address the working conditions the children of the Industrial

Revolution experienced.

 Students will be asked to identify similarities the 4 areas affected by the Industrial Revolution with those of the

information/technological revolution that America is currently experiencing.

 Students will work in groups of 3-4 students to develop a story similar to “My Cotton Dress” within the context of

modern American society. Their story will inform and enlighten people about the conditions of undeserved and

exploited workers that create goods or provide services to the American public today.

 Students may develop the story in written or book form, slide shows or as a videography.

Career Development Guidelines Addressed:

1. Skills to interact with others.

2. Knowledge of the benefits of educational achievement to career opportunities.

3. Understanding how work relates to the needs and functions of the economy and society.

4. Knowledge of different occupations and the changing male/female roles.

Refer to the “Alignment of Middle School and High School National Career Development Guidelines, 21st Century Skills,

and National Content Standards for Entrepreneurship Education” document included in this resource to identify the 21st

Century and Entrepreneurship Standards address in this learning activity.

References:

Ohio State University Department of History, (2010). The Story of My Cotton Dress. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from

World Wide Web: https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/childlabor/cottondress