Two articles are presented in this column. "Life in an Auto Factory: Simulating how Labor and Management Interact" by Eric B. Freedman describes a classroom simulation of management and labor relations in an auto factory. Classroom handouts are included. The next article, "Women of Action and County Names: Mary Musgrove County--Why…

Students learn about economics through two short stories dealing with wages and credit. Questions are offered to help students understand the economics concepts. (DF)

Compares the real incomes of U.S. and Estonian workers using a procedure from Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court." Argues that the application of Twain's logic to the recent economic development of Estonia provides a colorful approach to teaching economic issues. (DSK)

Describes a writing assignment that requires students to research and report on what it would be like to live on minimum wage. Explains that this assignment is not really any different than the traditional assignment, it is simply more obvious about its political content because it involves an inquiry into economics rather than literature or…

Describes a lesson plan that utilizes two primary sources, a handbill announcing the reduction in Baltimore and Ohio rail workers' wages and a list of damages to Baltimore and Ohio Railroad property, in order to determine the causes and effects of the Rail Strike of 1877. Provides the two sources and other handouts. (CMK)

Discusses an innovative approach to introduce high school students to the subject of wage differentials between men and women. The lesson involves giving the boys in class 67 percent of their true grade on an examination. The discussion that follows is designed to create empathy and the knowledge that injustice is not easily solved. (GG)

Provides teaching activities based on a recruiting poster directed at African-American men during the U.S. Civil War. Includes a brief history of the experience of African-American Union troops. Discusses document analysis, creative writing activities, oral reports, and activities for further research. Focuses on problems of racial discrimination…