Indiana Social Studies S.9.2

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Social Problems

The Standard

Describe how social problems have changed over time.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students compare a social problem at different points in time. They use dated sources to explain what changed, what stayed the same, and how people responded.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can use a 1900 mill photo, a summary of 1938 child labor rules, and a recent news report to explain changes in child labor. They can also point to evidence that the problem still exists.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a law made a problem disappear. They may also assume that more news coverage means a problem has become more common.
How to Assess It: Give students a 1900 mill photo, a short summary of 1938 child labor rules, and a recent child labor news excerpt. Ask them to name one change and one thing that persisted, citing two sources.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a 1900 mill photo and a recent child labor article; have them mark jobs, ages, and risks with colored sticky notes.
Ask students: Did the 1938 labor rules end child labor? Write a claim using the law summary and a recent report.
Have teams order cards showing a 1900 mill, 1938 labor rules, a current work permit, and a recent violation, then explain the sequence.
Have students check their state's youth employment rules and compare permitted jobs and hours with the work shown in a 1900 mill photo.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to S.9.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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