David Copperfield Lesson Plan

Victorian Child Labor

Kind of Activity:

Research

Objective:

Students will study child labor in Victorian Britain, and will analyze how art and literature were used to protest inhumane conditions.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.6, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.9

Structure:

Though David's life is already quite miserable, it becomes unbearable when he is forced to start working and fully supporting himself at the age of ten years old. Students may find it shocking, and even unbelievable, that a child so young would be forced to work, but this was a very common aspect of life in Victorian England.

Have students read the article "Child...