EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY through December 16th

FIRST:  Extra Credit opportunity

Student will be given an extra credit opportunity that will run through December 16th.  It will be awarded the same extra credit points as a reading novel.  The movie is THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN.  This film, though it takes place in a later era, correctly describes some of the obstacles orphaned children faced--or children who had lost one parent.

Students did a FOR of AGAINST on the Orphan Trains which took children out west to be adopted---and I want them to gain better understanding of what it was like for children whose lives were disrupted when their parents died or had to leave home to seek work.

Students are to write a list of just five obstacles or challenges that Natty faced and turn the slip into the IN box with their parent's signature.

HOMEWORK assignment---no LATES--due Monday November 28th

All students have been given a sheet with the CHILD LABOR PRIMARY DOCUMENTS

All students will be writing letters from two different viewpoints depending on the first letter of your last name.   Students will all be using, however, the same set of Primary Documents which has been given to them prior to the Thanksgiving break.  It is on a green sheet with their social studies papers.  You may type or write the letter on lined paper.  Also you are free to "make up" information to make your letter more interesting.  You are also free to research and use supplemental material as long as you are not copying from a source.  If you type the letter, make sure you use the 12 point times new roman font.

All letters will be written to this address--which is the real address and name of the editor of the New York times at the time of these documents:

Mr. Adolph Ochs, Publisher
New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York City, NY

If you last name begins A-P  You will do the following:

You will write the letter as Lewis Hines, himself:

First paragraph should be about how Hines wants to end child labor

Second paragraph should be about some of his observations of child labor (from the Green Documents)

Third paragraph should be about laws that need to change to prevent child labor

Sign the letter as LEWIS HINES (but make sure you put your real name on the letter)

If your last name begins Q-Z You will do the following:

You will write as a concerned citizen (yourself)

First paragraph should be about why you think some parents have their children work.

Second paragraph will be about why child labor is so bad...some of the harsh working conditions

Third paragraph should be what concerned citizens should do to end child labor.

Sign the letter as yourself, and then add the words, Concerned Citizen after yoursignature

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Students were just about wiped out from Halloween.  Too much candy and late nights have combined for some long classes.

This week, students learned about the following:

The formation of the Nobel Prize, and why Alfred Nobel chose to create the prizes rather than be remembered as the inventor of dynamite.

We also came up with some solutions for some of the problems in the building that contributed to the high death toll of the Triangle Fire.

Students also looked at copies of the maps created for Jane Addams of Hull House so she could keep track of the different ethnic groups in the neighborhood.  

Finally, students will be writing a letter to the editor about the Triangle Fire--they will be writing as if they are a relative of the victim.