Bibb Mill No 1 Child Labor Photograph Discussion

This activity can be used during a unit on child labor or the Progressive Era. It can serve as an introduction to the study of child labor. It also serves to teach or reinforce the process of document (photograph) analysis. For grades 6-12. Approximate time needed is 10 minutes.

Present the activity to the entire class. Students should spend a minute or two looking at the photograph unassisted. Ask them to describe the photograph and try to determine where these boys might be. Remind students to look at the whole visible area for context clues; even the smallest details may reveal the answer.

Ask students to do the following:

• Quickly scan the photo. What do you notice first?
• Who are these boys?
• Where are they?
• What are they doing?

After discussing their answers, direct students to think about what the boys might be thinking. Direct students to create a short speech or thought bubble that represents what one of the boys may be thinking.

After discussing students’ thoughts, brainstorm short speeches or thought bubbles from other perspectives on child labor. For example, what would a parent, factory owner, muckraker, consumer, or other person feel about these conditions?

This activity was adapted from “Child Labor” in the New York City Department of Education’s Passport to Social Studies, Grade 8, Unit 2, Lesson 13 (pg. 200-208).