Are wages based on race? On gender? Class members research wages for workers according to race and gender, create graphs and charts of their data, and compute differences by percentages. They then share their findings with adults and ask, "Why, in your opinion, do these differences occur?"

Concepts

discrimination, racism, gender bias

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• The interview question may evoke controversial responses; therefore, ask presenters not to include the names of their interviewees in their writings and discussions
• Have groups research statistics for the current year and for 10 years ago to see what progress, if any, has been made
• Coordinate the lesson with the statistics instructor
• Brainstorm with the class possible follow-up questions for the interviews

Classroom Considerations

• The seventh in a series of 17 related resources focused on the dynamics of discrimination
• The activity presumes class members have experience interviewing and recording information gathered from an interview
• A protocol must be in place for the safe, respectful discussion of controversial issues

Pros

• The two-page packet includes the plan, a list of instructional activities and strategies, and a rubric for assessing the charts, tables, and graphs

Cons

• No link is provided for websites researchers must access to obtain data for the graphs and charts

Common Core

SL.7.1.c SL.7.1.d