Labor Day Lessons for the Classroom

The calendar is getting ready to flip from August to September, which will soon mean the return of colorful leaves on trees, football season and bonfires. It also means Labor Day is approaching, meaning the unofficial end of summer. During the three-day Labor Day weekend, many Americans will travel, shop for deals online and in-store and maybe sneak in one final visit to the beach or neighborhood pool.

However, the federal holiday is much more than just the summer’s last hurrah. Observed each year on the first Monday of September, Labor Day is at heart a celebration of the hard-won achievements of America’s labor movement and a recognition of what workers have contributed to the nation’s prosperity.

Aside from being the first official holiday of the school year, Labor Day is a great opportunity to teach your students about our country’s history regarding worker’s rights, child labor, unions, and more. Consider watching a video on the history and meaning of Labor Day, and then try one of these fun themed activities.

1. Make career collages. Have students use construction paper to make a collage of pictures from a career they are interested in and hang them around your classroom. Then students can participate in a gallery walk to see everyone’s work. Equip them with sticky notes, and they can leave feedback and questions for their peers!

2. Create a labor history timeline. United States work history is actually fascinating. Challenge students to create a timeline of the important events either on paper.

3. Research a key figure in labor history. Have each of your students research and then create a presentation about a person who influenced the work environment in our country. Cesar Chavez, Samuel Gompers, and A. Philip Randolph are all excellent options.

4. Thank a community helper. Write thank-you notes to community helpers—police officers, firefighters, paramedics, postal workers—and then send or deliver them.

5. Take action against child labor. Use non-fiction books and articles to give your students a first-hand look at how child labor is still utilized worldwide.

6. Dress to impress day. Encourage students to come dressed as a profession of their choice. To take it a step further, invite community members to speak to the class about their jobs and have students draft questions to ask them.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services