Embedded Files
This lesson is the fourth of five lessons to help students understand local government and how they can have a voice in the democratic process. In this program, students will explore how society provides for the poor. During this lesson, students will debate the poor farm issue. Working in teams, students will devise arguments to determine whether the town of Old Sturbridge should continue with the traditional vendue system, adopt the more progressive town farm model, or go in another direction.
Time: 60-90 Minutes
Lesson Plan 4: Debating the Poor Farm Issue
Unit 1 lesson 4.pdfLesson 4: Video
Before participating in their own discussion on poor relief, students should watch this brief introduction to learn more about how town meetings worked in the 19th century.
Lesson 4: Primary Sources
Instructions to the Moderator.pdfPrimary Source: Instructions to the Moderator
A Warrant for a Town Meeting on the Poor Farm Issue.pdfPrimary Source: A Warrant for Town Meetings
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