Labor Day Workers Cube

Labor Day Workers Cube lesson plan

How do different countries observe Labor Day? Create a cube to honor jobs that men and women do.

  • 1.

    <STRONG>Find the story behind the holiday</STRONG>. The first Labor Day parade was sponsored by the Central Labor Union in New York City on September 5, 1882. In 1894, U.S. President Cleveland made the first Monday in September a day to honor blue-collar workers. Find out how Labor Day began in your country and gather information about its origins. Here’s one way to honor workers in your community.

  • 2.

    <STRONG>Create a cube</STRONG>. Draw six large circles with Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils. Within each circle draw a square whose corners touch the circle’s sides. Cut out the six circles with Crayola Scissors.

  • 3.

    <STRONG> Choose jobs</STRONG>. Inside the squares, use Crayola Twistables to draw pictures of people doing various jobs that you admire. Decorate panels with words, dates, or patriotic symbols.

  • 4.

    <STRONG>Put the cube together</STRONG>. Fold the lines forming each square upward. Erase the lines if you wish. Place one circle face down on its edges. Select one edge from each of four other circles and attach them to the edges of the circle facing down with Crayola Glue Sticks. Add the sixth circle and continue to glue adjoining edges to form your cube.

Benefits

  • Students learn why Labor Day is celebrated and discuss the importance of blue-collar workers for their country’s economy.
  • Students recognize the contribution of laborers who build cities, factories, roads, homes, and do many other jobs.
  • Students construct a cube depicting various jobs.

Adaptations

  • Younger children and those with special needs may need help to assemble their cube.
  • Invite workers to discuss their jobs and their importance within the community and economy.
  • Discover how and when Labor Day is celebrated throughout the world, such as parades, speeches, laying of wreaths, and picnics.
  • Older students could research how the labor-union movement brought about laws keeping children out of the workplace and in school.