Though Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle shocked the American public into a thorough examination of the meat-packing industry, the author was disappointed that his book's main argument—the exploitation of American immigrants—was not...

Students explore muckraking. In this American history lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. Students respond to discussion questions pertaining to muckraking...

As you explore an excerpt from Upton Sinclair's The Jungle with your class, discuss how his descriptions of the meat-packing industry caught the public's attention and helped to promote change in the Progressive Era.

Young scholars explore fiction that moves individuals to social action. In this literature lesson, students read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and analyze its literary worth as well as its investigative journalism. Young scholars...

Students identify the conditions that many workers faced during the Industrial Revolution. They work collaboratively to explain and identify key elements from Chapter 14 of The Jungle.

High schoolers discuss problems immigrants may have when coming to a new country. They take on the role of a law maker from the era and create an action plan and policy based on samples they read (links provided). Students discuss ways...

Go with your gut! Scholars read excerpts from The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and record their initial feeling from the reading as strong positive, positive, neutral, negative, or strong negative. They then discuss how their responses...

Can investigative journalism become too sensationalistic and accusatory, or is it vital for the survival of a democracy? Middle schoolers analyze primary source documents from early 20th-century newspapers as well as Theodore...

Students read several editorials such as those written by Upton Sinclair, Lincoln Steffens, and Ida Tarbell. They recognize the similarities between several editorials and summarize and outline the arguments presented in several editorials.

Food poisoning, salmonellosis, E. Coli, shigellosis, tapeworms—all these words can strike fear into eaters. Alas, the five-second rule is not necessarily true! Two activities teach teens safety rules for food purchasing, preparation,...

A free press, free to investigate and report on responsibly, compelling stories, is essential to a democracy. A 10-slide presentation details where to get ideas, how to go about an investigation, gather data, and assure the accuracy of...

Students demonstrate their ability to use the library to research into current working conditions for the American worker. They identify connections and compare findings about contemporary conditions and the in-class readings of The...

Ninth graders examine the social and political movements of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. In this American history instructional activity, 9th graders work in groups to form their own society and laws. Students make a diagram of...

The Great Gatsby, The Jungle and study HRC's Teaching the American Twenties-The Dream Factory are the focus of this lesson, Your learners will rewrite a small scene from the novel into a dramatic film scene and then create a modern...

Students investigate the events that created the historical context for the Progressive Era in the United States. They evaluate the conflicts of business and common people of the time. The research is done using primary and secondary...

Students study the proper temperature and technique to cook ground meat safely. They examine the critical control points when ground beef is being processed.

Students read sections of the novel, "The Jungle". They identify the problems of the meat industry during the Progressive Era. They discuss food concerns of today and make connections between the two time periods.

Eleventh graders research and examine the significant individuals of the 1920s and their impact on American society. They identify characteristics of people who make a difference, and in pairs conduct research on two people with...

Young scholars consider the plight of immigrant workers. For this undocumented immigrant lesson, students compare the worker of the Industrialization era to the undocumented immigrant workers of today. Young scholars read and discuss...

Eleventh graders examine government regulations. In this industrialization lesson, 11th graders look into what was going on inside American factories during the era. Students read excerpts of The Jungle and watch selected video clips...

Students chose a novel which includes social criticism to read. After reading the book, they use the internet to research the issue in the novel and work with others to develop a presentation. In their presentation, they identify the...

Eleventh graders interpret and analyze political cartoons. In this primary source analysis lesson, 11th graders examine the implications of Industrialization as they respond to questions regarding selected political cartoons about the...

A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that leads learners through an examination of the role of muckrakers in the development of investigative journalism. Students work to identify...