Description

Gilded Age Simulation Activity: Life of a Factory Worker

History can be difficult for students to understand and experience. Simulations help students put themselves in the past, learning about history in an authentically engaging way. Students love simulations because they don’t know what the final outcome will be. It’s an exciting learning experience!

Want to try a FREE simulation? You can download my free World War 2 Battle of Iwo Jima simulation to get a closer look!

This minimal prep simulation puts students in the role of a factory who faces a dangerous work environment, low pay, and difficult home conditions. Students will learn about the hardships factory workers during the Gilded Age endured. This resource is aligned to my Gilded Age Unit Bundle.

This Gilded Age Simulation includes:

★ 32 colonist ID cards (16 men & 16 women)
★ 8 daily life cards
★ 8 home life cards
★ 8 factory life cards
★ 8 choice cards
★ 32 job cards (16 men & 16 women)
★ student instructions page
★ student simulation recording page
★ teacher instructions page
★ RAFT task

The cards have a colored background to differentiate between the different types. However, if you prefer to save color ink, I have included black line versions, and you can print onto colored paper OR you can lightly color the pages. The only item you need besides what is included in this resource is one die. That’s it! Everything else you need is right here!

Students will select an ID card and a job card. Students will earn money as the simulation progresses, depending on their selected job. Students want to end the simulation with as much money as possible. As students progress through this simulation, there are different ways in which their fates are determined. Sometimes students simply draw a card and their fate is shown, sometimes students have to roll a die, and sometimes students can make a free choice. Each decision affects their fate. There are multiple outcomes based on the cards drawn, the choices students make, and what the student rolls. Students can go through this simulation multiple times and have a different outcome each time!

My students LOVE simulations! Not only are they engaging and fun, but students are also LEARNING more about the topic.

Looking for something more comprehensive? Check out my Gilded Age curriculum unit. THIS RESOURCE IS INCLUDED IN THIS CURRICULUM PACK.

If you are looking for a comprehensive curriculum, be sure to check out my Yearlong US History Curriculum.

++++++++++++++++SIMULATIONS Available++++++++++++++++
♦ Colonial America: A New Life in Plymouth
♦American Revolution: No More Taxes!
♦Constitution & A New Nation: Lewis & Clark Expedition
♦Civil War: Tour of Duty
♦Gilded Age: Life of a Factory Worker
♦World War 1: Life in the Trenches
♦Roaring ’20s & Great Depression: Life of a Farmer
♦World War 2: Code Talkers
♦World War 2: Battle of Iwo Jima FREE

© Brainy Apples
Heather LeBlanc, LLC