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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Editorial

For Teachers 7th - 12th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Progressives

For Teachers 8th - 11th
In this Progressive Era worksheet, students review a chapter as they read 10 descriptions identifying who or what is speaking, respond to 4 short answer questions, and explain a historical theme regarding this time period in United...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

HOW TO EVALUATE THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF CONTENT-ORIENTED WEB SITES.

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students objectively learn how critically evaluate Web sites for utility, trust, and reliability. In this lesson, students learn that some Web sites might be deceiving in their intent despite their popularity.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Chapter 13 – Progressivism

For Students 9th - 12th
In this U.S. history worksheet, students read assigned textbook pages regarding Progressivsim and respond to 48 short answer questions.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

1876-1920 Word Search Puzzle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this literacy instructional activity, students look for the words in the puzzle that are related to the theme of the word search. Spelling skills are worked on.
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Lesson Plan
Other

Middle Tennessee State University: The Progressive Movement: Life as a Muckraker

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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...
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Study Guide
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History Unit: Period 7: 1890 1945: Muckrakers

For Students 9th - 10th
The study resource from Khan Academy provides an overview of Period 7: 1890-1945 in American History. The Progressive Era's muckrakers are discussed in this lesson. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US History Test.
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Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1890 1945: The Age of Empire: Muckrakers

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Yearning to Breathe Free: Muckrakers and Activism [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Muckrakers

For Students 5th - 8th
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...
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Activity
Other

Sachem Central School District: Your History Site: The Muckrakers [Pdf]

For Students 7th - 8th
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...
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Unit Plan
C-SPAN

C Span American Writers: Upton Sinclair and Muckrakers

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Article
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Upton Sinclair's the Jungle: Muckraking the Meat Packing Industry

For Students 9th - 10th
The Jungle dives into the terrible working conditions in the meat-packing industry which led to investigations and new food safety laws.
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Political Bosses

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
[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...
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Handout
Other

Special Collections Department: Mc Clure Publishing Company Archives

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Migrant Struggle: Upton Sinclair

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: Upton Sinclair: A Progressive Era Muckraker

For Students 9th - 10th
Students will describe how Upton Sinclair's The Jungle reflected issues of the Progressive Era.
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Graphic
Other

Weebly: Muckraker Multi Media: Political Cartoons

For Students 9th - 10th
Five political cartoons that deal with uncovering unjust activities in various corporations by Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, Jane Addams, Samuel Hopkins Adams, and John Spargo.
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eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Progressive Movement 1890 1920: Origins of Progressive Spirit

For Students 11th - 12th
Learn how the muckrakers explosed problems and corruption, which galvanized the public to demand change from the government, thus triggering the Progressive movement, and everything that meant.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Yearning to Breathe Free Webisode 10

For Students 9th - 10th
This wonderful website, Freedom, a History of US, based on the series by Joy Hakim, presents the tenth webisode, Yearning to be Breathe Free. Through text, photographs, and audio segments you can get a good picture of the state of...
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eBook
University of Pennsylvania

Ten Days in a Mad House by Nellie Bly

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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eBook
Blackdog Media

Classic Reader: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
Other

Brass Check: Tell the Truth and Run George Seldes

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about George Seldes (1890-1995), a muckraker and press critic. Read some of his writings from his column "In Fact." Read his autobiography and a brief biography. There are links to other sites about George Seldes. Site by Brass Check.
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Unit Plan
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Rise of Realism

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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,...