Tobacco in Bloomfield: Overview
Objective: Students will be able to describe the impact of shade tobacco on the history of Bloomfield, Connecticut through analyzing primary sources related to the industry.
Materials:
Images of shade tobacco fields and tobacco workers in Bloomfield (can be found through online searches or at local libraries or archives)
Primary source documents related to the shade tobacco industry in Bloomfield, such as newspaper articles, census data, or oral history interviews with tobacco workers
Warm-Up:
Begin the lesson by showing students images of shade tobacco fields and tobacco workers in Bloomfield. Ask them to observe the images and make predictions about what they think the shade tobacco industry was like in Bloomfield during the 20th century.
Direct Instruction:
Explain to students that Bloomfield was once a major center of shade tobacco production in the United States. Shade tobacco is a type of tobacco that is grown under special tents or "shades," which provide a specific type of light and temperature for the plants to grow. Shade tobacco is used to make high-quality cigars.
Discuss the importance of the shade tobacco industry to the economy and society of Bloomfield in the 20th century. Use primary source documents, such as newspaper articles or census data, to provide information about the industry and its impact on the community.
Discuss the experiences of tobacco workers in Bloomfield, including their working conditions and the challenges they faced. Use primary source documents, such as oral history interviews with tobacco workers or labor union records, to provide insight into the lives of tobacco workers.
Guided Practice:
Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of primary source documents related to the shade tobacco industry in Bloomfield. Have students analyze the documents and discuss their observations with their group.
Have each group present their findings to the class and discuss any common themes or patterns that emerged from the primary sources.
Independent Practice:
Assign students to research and write a short report on a specific aspect of the shade tobacco industry in Bloomfield, such as the role of technology in the industry or the impact of the industry on the local community. Encourage students to use primary source documents as the basis for their research.
Closure:
Review the main points of the lesson and discuss the lasting impact of the shade tobacco industry on Bloomfield and its residents. Ask students to reflect on the ways in which the industry shaped the community and the experiences of those who worked in it.
Assessment:
Evaluate students' participation in class discussions and group activities.
Assess students' written reports on the shade tobacco industry in Bloomfield using a rubric that measures their ability to analyze primary sources and synthesize information from multiple sources.