# Lesson 4: Day 1 -  Labor Organizations

## Google Doc for This Lesson

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1%5FlKCr0mgnrrNhUmU89wsCTjqTAT5RtrbvyfT6sGKZxM/edit?tab=t.qmco3z5ba25z](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1%5FlKCr0mgnrrNhUmU89wsCTjqTAT5RtrbvyfT6sGKZxM/edit?tab=t.qmco3z5ba25z)

## **Activity 1: Read Aloud**

**Overview:** In this discussion, students will deepen their understanding of the Africana Studies Conceptual Framework by exploring the “Ways of Knowing/Systems of Thought” category. They will predict how Black Philadelphians in the 19th century developed organizations and systems to meet the fundamental needs of their community. 

**Time:** 10 minutes

**Format:** Whole Group

**Objective:** SWBAT analyze how 19th century Black Philadelphians developed systems of thought and community organizations to address collective needs, using the Africana Studies Conceptual Framework as a lens.

* Tell students that you will continue to use the ***Africana Studies Conceptual Framework*** (Carr, 2005; Carr, 2024; Carr, 2025) to examine the experiences of people of African descent in 19th Century Philadelphia. 
* Lead students in a discussion by saying the following:
* * The third category in the ***Africana Studies Conceptual Framework*** is “Ways of Knowing/ Systems of Thought” and asks us to consider the following question:
  * * “What kinds of systems did African peoples develop to explain their existence and how did they use those systems to address fundamental issues of living?” 
  * As we read together, consider how Black people in 19th Century Philadelphia created organizations to address the needs of their community. 
* Then, project and read the article aloud. 
* Ask students to predict some of the needs of 19th Century Black Philadelphians.


## **Activity 2:** Black Labor Organizations 

**Overview:** In this activity, students will work with a partner to analyze Black labor organizations in 19th Century Philadelphia. Using guided questions, they will explore how these organizations reflect the “Ways of Knowing/Systems of Thought” from the Africana Studies Conceptual Framework. 

**Time:** 20 minutes

**Format:** Partners

**Objective:** SWBAT analyze how Black labor organizations in 19th-century Philadelphia reflected systems of thought and community-building efforts described in the Africana Studies Conceptual Framework.

* Project [__Finding Black Labor Organization In the 1820s and 1830s (2023)__](https://www.1838blackmetropolis.com/post/finding-black-labor-organization-in-the-1820s-and-1830s).
* Explain to students that they will work with partners to explore Black labor organizations in 19th Century Philadelphia.
* Make sure that every student has a partner. 
* Ask students to read the story map carefully with a partner. 
* Invite them to use the [__Black Organizations in 19th Century Philadelphia Mapping Activity__](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_cbreYSMGILQrAWb-ZsNSlSrhzBcPpvaALIdV5_0r_8/edit?usp=sharing) document to take notes while reading.
* * Students can make their own copy here [__Black Labor Organizations in Philadelphia Mapping Activity- Make a copy__](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_cbreYSMGILQrAWb-ZsNSlSrhzBcPpvaALIdV5_0r_8/copy)


## **Activity 3: Journal Writing**

**Overview:** 

**Time:** 20 minutes

**Format:** Individual

**Objective:** 

* Ask students to write three to four paragraphs about the following:
* * **Journal Prompt:** In today’s lesson, you explored how Black Philadelphians in the 19th century built labor organizations to address their community’s needs and resist oppression. As you write, respond to these questions:
  * * **Analyze:** How do these organizations reflect the “Ways of Knowing/Systems of Thought” in the Africana Studies Conceptual Framework? 
    * * What systems or strategies did Black Philadelphians create to explain their existence and address the challenges of living?
    * **Reflect:** If you were living in 19th-century Philadelphia, what kind of organization might you have joined or created to support your community? Why?
* Here is the [__Journal Writing: Black Labor Organizations in 19th Century Philadelphia__](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_96GZpX9gQ1QewE1iE2Rzg_1JfgUaisZ6M4r-EBLYjY/edit?tab=t.0)
* Invite students to make their own copy of the instructions: [__Journal Writing: Black Labor Organizations in 19th Century Philadelphia- Make a copy__](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_96GZpX9gQ1QewE1iE2Rzg_1JfgUaisZ6M4r-EBLYjY/copy)

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**Documents**

- [L4:1 Finding Black Labor Organization in the 1820s and 1830s](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l41-finding-black-labor-organization-in-the-1820s-and-1830s-QOcYkyascQ)
- [L4:1 Activity - Journal Writing](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l41-activity-journal-writing-IBvBU6bCE8)
- [L4:1 Activity - Black Organizations Mapping Activity](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l41-activity-black-organizations-mapping-activity-ruRnLKV7en)