Industrial Losses - Large Employer Closings
Developed by: Maine Council for the Social Studies

divider line - brown/gray, with break in the line
Grade Level: 5-8, 9-12

The MLR performance indicators listed below are for illustrative purposes. Depending on the focus of the lessons as developed by individual teachers, these indicators may or may not be addressed. Conversely this is not a definitive listing of all of the performance indicators which could be addressed in this lesson.

MLR - Secondary: Economics: B-4; English/Language Arts: A-1, A-2, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-11; C-1; D-2, D-3, D-5, D-7; E-2, E-3, E-4; F-1, F-2, F-3; G-6, G-7, G-8, G-9, G-10; H-4, H-5, H-6, H-7, H-8, H-9

 

Task Description

Students can research examples of large employers closing their factories in towns in Maine. Towns to look at would include Hartland, Bass Shoe in Wilton, Corinna, and Winslow. Students would add to the descriptions of the closings such information as economic statistics, ramifications beyond the workers affected, and the responses of the communities.

Student Product/Performance

Students could be asked to assemble a report, or a presentation on the effects of a closing on a community as evidenced by their examples.

Resources

Newspaper archives/Internet

Links to some Maine papers online:
Bangor Daily News
Portland Press Herald
Kennebec Journal
Sun Journal
Times Record
Journal Tribune
Morning Sentinel

Links to some national news sources:
Boston Globe
New York Times
Washington Post
CNN Interactive
CNNfn [Financial Network]
MSNBC

Criteria for Evaluation

Student’s understanding may be evidenced by the depth of their presentation. The next step could include suggestions for municipalities which might, in the future, experience such economic hardships.