Simon & Schuster
Classroom Activities for The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
A 15-page packet includes detailed plans for three activities related to Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. To gather background information, class members research topics and create a newspaper page reporting their findings. After finishing...
DocsTeach
Bibb Mill No 1 Child Labor Photograph Discussion
There's no way a child can operate heavy machinery ... right? Pupils examine a photograph of a child operating a loom at mill to learn about child labor and its impacts. Prompts provoke thoughtful discussion or fuel a writing exercise.
National Endowment for the Humanities
“Read All About It”: Primary Source Reading in “Chronicling America”
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 Roosevelt's...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Upton Sinclair, Theodore Roosevelt, and Harvey W. Wiley
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 part...
Curated OER
Industrialization
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...
Curated OER
EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all About It!
Students are able to synthesize information on increasing regulatory reforms during the Progressive Era through individual research and presentation of material. They are responsible for a list of regulatory reforms with dates and...
Curated OER
Progressivism (5)
In this online interactive American history worksheet, students answer 14 fill in the blank questions regarding the Progressive Movement. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
University of Pennsylvania
Ten Days in a Mad House by Nellie Bly
The harrowing experiences of Nellie Bly as she observed undercover the workings of Blackwell Island Insane Asylum are reproduced here as they were originally published.
C-SPAN
C Span American Writers: Upton Sinclair and Muckrakers
A companion to C-SPAN's series, this site features a brief biography of Upton Sinclair, the text of his influential book, "The Jungle," and links to information about the Chicago Stockyards, as well as to other sites about Sinclair and...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Political Bosses
[Free Registration/Login Required] Young scholars use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. For this investigation, students examine a political cartoon, a muckraker text, and the defense of a political...
Other
America Dept. Of State: Outline of American Literature [Pdf]
This online book presents an overview of American literature chronologically. Eras and movements are explained and biographies of significant authors are provided. This is a good way to understand the background and influences of...
Other
Sachem Central School District: Your History Site: The Muckrakers [Pdf]
Excerpts from the writings of Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, and Jacob Riis on early industrial America. Topics include the horrors that went into the making of sausages, the problem of transportation and the Standard Oil Company, and life...
Other
Middle Tennessee State University: The Progressive Movement: Life as a Muckraker
In this lesson plan, young scholars learn about the muckraking journalists who exposed social injustices during the Progressive Era and what the Progressives believed. They will examine primary sources, including the works of prominent...
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Classic Reader provides numerous classic works from famous authors. First published as a serial in the Appeal to Reason 1905, one work is The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair. It exposed harsh working conditions in the meat packing industry.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Rise of Realism
This resource provides a wealth of information about the period of American literature from 1860-1914. There are eight good articles discussing the movements of realism, regionalism, and naturalism, the rise of black American literature,...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: The Jungle
An encyclopedia article from Wikipedia on Upton Sinclair's landmark novel, "The Jungle," describing its importance and giving an outline of the plot.
Other
Special Collections Department: Mc Clure Publishing Company Archives
This site from the University of Delaware provides the archives from McClure's magazine and explains how the magazine provided an outlet for muckraking journalists.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Migrant Struggle: Upton Sinclair
Muckraker Upton Sinclair is featured in this brief biography drawing particular attention to his novel, "The Jungle," written to alert people to the inhumane treatment of immigrant workers. See "Upton Sinclair Activities" for related...
National Women's Hall of Fame
National Women's Hall of Fame: Ida Tarbell
Read this portrait of Ida Tarbell, a Progressive Era journalist known for her innovative methods of investigative journalism.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Upton Sinclair's the Jungle: Muckraking the Meat Packing Industry
The Jungle dives into the terrible working conditions in the meat-packing industry which led to investigations and new food safety laws.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Yearning to Breathe Free: Muckrakers and Activism [Pdf]
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. Young scholars work to identify...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Muckrakers
Sometimes a pen can be wielded more lethally than a sword. Read about the brave muckrakers who exposed corruption and injustice in government and business. These journalists attacked different areas, but the result was an introduction to...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1890 1945: The Age of Empire: Muckrakers
Discusses the muckraking journalists and novelists who were at the forefront of movements pushing for stronger protections for workers and consumers. Their work led to the passage of several important pieces of legislation. Includes...
Social Security Administration
Social Security Online: Upton Sinclair
The Social Security Administration profiles the political career of author Upton Sinclair and his unsuccessful run as a progressive candidate for governor of California in 1934. He proposed a plan for California similar to what became...