The Industrial Revolution, which started in Europe and quickly spread worldwide, increased production through machines and new energy sources. Daily life was fundamentally altered as people moved away from farming and countryside life and started migrating toward cities and urban areas to find work. There was a significant increase in mortality rates, free education (to create a better workforce), and better wages for unskilled labor. However, workers were often exploited, which created the necessity for labor unions. The history of the Industrial Revolution is fascinating, and it still has ramifications on today’s political and cultural climate.

Another significant change of the Industrial Revolution was the price of goods; supply and demand were drastically altered due to the new speed that goods could be produced. Because it was cheaper to process resources and transform them into usable goods, the supply increased, lowering prices. Even though wages generally increased for those working in factories and manufacturing, working conditions were still pretty poor compared to today. The Industrial Revolution made basic and mid-level items less expensive. However, goods that required lots of expertise and craftsmanship still demanded a higher price.

In this game, the students experience the changing landscape of the workforce during the advent of the Industrial Revolution. Students will start as independent craft workers; some will transition to factory work. In contrast, others can remain independent. This game demonstrates how machines changed how work was done in a fun and interactive way that facilitates many exercises.

Materials: 

I’m using basketballs and hoops for this write-up because those materials are available in my PE class. However, I understand that the expense of these items can be prohibitive, especially multiple adjustable basketball hoops. The game's object is for the students to practice some type of sports skill with an adjustable difficulty level. This could be done by adjusting the goal’s distance and using different materials. Some variations can be made by using soccer goals or cones and shooting or throwing balls into containers of different sizes or distances.

·      A large play area (a gym works best, but can be played outside)

·      As many adjustable basketball hoops that you have access to

·      At least one basketball per student

·      A large whiteboard and dry-erase marker

Minimum Amount of Students Needed: This game works best with an entire class. If you don’t have many people, the simulation of having students become factory workers will not work.

Age: Upper Elementary and Middle School