Step 1: Work with your assigned partner at one computer to read about child labor around all over the world and in the United States. You will use these two links: Every Child Counts: New Global Estimates on Child Labour and Worldmapper.
As you read, be sure to take notes on a piece of paper. Keep in mind that these numbers are likely under reported.
Step 2: Now look at this report - By the Sweat and Toil of Children. Create a table or chart in a Word document on your computer. In the table or chart, list the following items: the industries where children are employed, the conditions in which children work, and the ages of working children and hours of employment for children working in each location.
In your Word document, under the table or chart, write a paragraph explaining the following items: In your opinion, where is the worst place in the world for children to work? Why do you feel this way? How do the conditions in this place compare to the conditions under which Kimberly worked in our novel? Email the Word document to Ms. Angie at angelar@clemson.edu.
Step 3: Now do some reading on this site, Behind the Label. As you are reading, in a Word document, make a list of all the ways that sweatshop workers are fighting back against exploitation. Use your list to make two posters, one for each person in your group. You can draw your posters by hand, or you can make them on your computer. Microsoft Word has poster templates that you can use or you can use another tool, if you would like. One of the posters should have this theme: "This is Child Labor Today." This poster should be informative. It should give us facts about child labor in the 21st century. It should have both images and words. It should grab people's attention, and it should make people want to stop and read the facts. The theme of the second post is "What Can You Do to Stop Child Labor?"Just like the first poster, it should be an attention-grabber that uses words and images. It should have facts - ways to stop child labor that you learned during your reading today. If you can find phone numbers or other places that people could call to report child labor, be sure to include those on the poster.
If you draw this on paper, turn it in to Ms. Angie at the end of class. If you make your poster electronically, send Ms. Angie the link at angelar@clemson.edu.
Lesson Plan Source: Primary Source / Teacher Toolkit/ Girl in Translation
