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Step back into the smoky heart of 1890s Chicago, where the clanging of factory machinery mixes with the rally cries of striking workers. In this AI-powered simulation, students step into the shoes of an industrial laborer who has joined the newly formed American Federation of Labor and must explain to a visiting journalist why workers across the country are banding together to demand change.
As the conversation unfolds, students unpack the origins, goals, and tactics of labor unions while grappling with the real-world tensions between workers, business owners, and government leaders. It’s history brought to life without the coal dust.
After completing the simulation, students continue the story in the Factory Lines Extension Activity, choosing between two distinct perspectives:
A factory worker fighting for fair treatment
A factory owner struggling to keep production afloat
They’ll design a visual analysis that captures how labor unions have impacted their chosen persona, then swap perspectives with a peer to debate whether unions ultimately strengthened or strained American society.
Union Made: Digital Briefing - A visually rich, student-friendly background reading titled Union Made: The Power of Collective Action. This pre-simulation primer introduces historical context, major figures like Samuel Gompers, and essential vocabulary. Perfect for flipped instruction or classroom prep.
Complete AI Simulation Instructions – Students take on the role of a Chicago machinist interviewed by Harper’s Weekly about the rise of labor unions. This dynamic, dialogue-driven simulation challenges them to articulate key ideas about union origins, AFL philosophy, and tactics like collective bargaining and strikes. Includes built-in checkpoints, feedback prompts, and teacher pacing controls.
Factory Lines Extension Activity - Students step into opposing shoes, either a factory worker or owner, to design a visual analysis titled Factory Lines: Two Sides of the Labor Struggle. This creative project blends historical reasoning with graphic design, asking students to present evidence-backed perspectives on labor’s impact and compare their conclusions through written analysis.
Extension Activity Rubric - A clean, editable 100-point rubric that assesses Historical Accuracy, Perspective & Analysis, Visual Design, Comparative Reasoning, and Effort & Engagement. Simple for teachers, transparent for students.
Step back into the smoky heart of 1890s Chicago, where the clanging of factory machinery mixes with the rally cries of striking workers. In this AI-powered simulation, students step into the shoes of an industrial laborer who has joined the newly formed American Federation of Labor and must explain to a visiting journalist why workers across the country are banding together to demand change.
As the conversation unfolds, students unpack the origins, goals, and tactics of labor unions while grappling with the real-world tensions between workers, business owners, and government leaders. It’s history brought to life without the coal dust.
After completing the simulation, students continue the story in the Factory Lines Extension Activity, choosing between two distinct perspectives:
A factory worker fighting for fair treatment
A factory owner struggling to keep production afloat
They’ll design a visual analysis that captures how labor unions have impacted their chosen persona, then swap perspectives with a peer to debate whether unions ultimately strengthened or strained American society.
Union Made: Digital Briefing - A visually rich, student-friendly background reading titled Union Made: The Power of Collective Action. This pre-simulation primer introduces historical context, major figures like Samuel Gompers, and essential vocabulary. Perfect for flipped instruction or classroom prep.
Complete AI Simulation Instructions – Students take on the role of a Chicago machinist interviewed by Harper’s Weekly about the rise of labor unions. This dynamic, dialogue-driven simulation challenges them to articulate key ideas about union origins, AFL philosophy, and tactics like collective bargaining and strikes. Includes built-in checkpoints, feedback prompts, and teacher pacing controls.
Factory Lines Extension Activity - Students step into opposing shoes, either a factory worker or owner, to design a visual analysis titled Factory Lines: Two Sides of the Labor Struggle. This creative project blends historical reasoning with graphic design, asking students to present evidence-backed perspectives on labor’s impact and compare their conclusions through written analysis.
Extension Activity Rubric - A clean, editable 100-point rubric that assesses Historical Accuracy, Perspective & Analysis, Visual Design, Comparative Reasoning, and Effort & Engagement. Simple for teachers, transparent for students.