Lesson Plan #1 – Collaboration of English III with CTE
Written by Duane Phillips and Gwen Poore
Title: Capitalism & The Jungle
Grade Level/Subject: Grades 10-11/English
Collaboration: Use business concepts of capitalism, socialism, business ethics, and
social responsibility by tying in current events. Students will use the concepts like
business ethics and social responsibility through the study of the novel The Jungle.
Illinois Learning Standards and/or Skill Standards:
1.A.5a Identify and analyze new terminology applying knowledge of word origins and
derivations in a variety of practical settings.
1.A.5b Analyze the meaning of abstract concepts and the effects of particular word and
phrase choices.
2.A.4a Analyze and evaluate the effective use of literary techniques (e.g. figurative
language, allusion, dialogue, description, symbolism, word choice, dialect) in classic and
contemporary literature representing a variety of forms and media.
National Business Education Standards
Business Law
I.
Basics of the Law
Achievement Standard: Analyze the relationship between ethics and the law.
Economics
III.
Economic Institutions and Incentives
Achievement Standard: Analyze the role of core economic institutions and incentives in
the U.S. economy.
Overview:
Upton Sinclair’s novel corresponds with the beginnings of the industrial revolution
coupled with the decline of the American Dream. The novel has elements of Darwinism
that tie directly into the rise in capitalism and the subversive effects on the human psyche
and the family dynamic. The featured family in the novel suffers to attain a sense of
dignity and respect in a foreign land that differs far from that of Lithuania. Jurgis is the
prototypical protagonist because he is idealistic and morally pure. The business aspects
of the novel are very evident in the novel’s disdain for capitalism because it represents
not only business ethics but an entire philosophy on existence. The literary impact is
equally as important because The Jungle brought vice to the illusion that America was the
land of the free and shelter to those whom are destitute.
Timeframe: One class period
Objectives
I.
Given a prompt, students will be able to discern the economic principles of
capitalism from that of socialism.
II.
Examine a current US company and their history of business practices to
ascertain whether they are fair or not.
Goals
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
For students to fundamentally understand the economic principles of capitalism.
For students to fundamentally understand the philosophic principles of capitalism.
For students to comprehend the advantages and disadvantages of capitalism.
For students to understand the core beliefs of socialism.
For students to understand that business ethics are a relevant concern for
contemporary America.
6. For students to realize the sociological impact of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle.
Academic principles
Discuss the title of the novel, The Jungle. What connotations does it have? Are they
positive or negative? What kind of behavior is exhibited in a jungle? Why is the business
world like a jungle? This discussion ties directly into capitalism and its core philosophy.
Students also can discuss Darwinism and how that philosophy is inherent in capitalism.
While reading, the students will keep a think sheet with vocabulary/concepts that are
problematic. The class will reflect daily on the think sheet and address those problems in
class. Students will have an essay in which the core objective is to critically analyze the
impact of capitalism on Jurgis and his family. Essentially the students should use textual
support to defend their thesis which definitively supports or rejects capitalism as the
source for sorrow in the novel. While writing, students can also expose the socialist
government and whether it is the “saving grace” of the characters or not.
CTE Application

Incorporate the ideals of the novel, The Jungle, to business concepts of capitalism,
socialism, business ethics, and social responsibility by tying in current events.
Students will use the zooming in and out frame to deconstruct the concept of
capitalism into subordinate concepts like business ethics and social responsibility.
Reading Strategy Details
Students will use the zooming in and out frame to deconstruct the concept of capitalism
into subordinate concepts like business ethics and social responsibility.
Pre-Activities
(1) Prompt – Question on the board: “What is your favorite food brand?” – give
students 10 minutes to answer the question.
Activities & Procedures
(1) Zooming In and Zooming Out Frame
(2) Discussion of popular brands and business ethics
Assessment
(1) Quiz
Closing & summarization
Students will evaluate the practices of the business they chose and, based on the study of
capitalism, they will judge if they would still endorse the product or not.
Materials Needed
The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair
Paper, pen
Resources
The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair
Glencoe Introduction to Business
Internet Sites
Day 1
English 3:

Introduce
The
 Jungle.
Present
power point
on
capitalism.
 Scenario
sheet on The
Jungle.
Day 2
English 3:
 Musical
handshakes
Activity
(ice breaker)
 Directed
reading
activity
(read 10
pages of the
book)
Day 3
English 3:

Analyze
business
ethics within
both a
capitalistic and
socialist
society.
 Use current
events to
analyze
literary
significance
of novel.
Day 4
English 3:
 Budget
activity
 Lab time
to research
Day 5
English 3:

Budget
activity
Name:
Date:
Hour:
The Jungle scenario sheet
Directions: Please answer the following questions in complete sentences. Be as truthful
as possible in your responses.
1. Imagine that you have moves to a different country, but the economy is
different from that of which you are used to. The new system is based on a
commune where everything is shared. How would you adapt to the new
economy?
2. What advantages arise from a system based on a meritocracy? What
disadvantages arise from this system of economy?
3. Is there a balance between being morally correct and financial stability?
4. What difficulties may arise if someone from a third-world nation has to
move to the United States? What adjustments would have to be made to
acclimate to the culture, both politically and philosophically?
5. Suppose that you are the President of the Unites States. Presuppose that
the war in Iraq us still going on ant the economy is still shaky. How would
you handle the nine trillion dollar deficit? Any reforms? Any budget cuts?
Taxes?
Name:
Date:
Hour:
The Jungle quiz
1. Where is Jugis’s family from?
2. Where does the family move to (specifically)?
3. What promise does America hold for the family?
4. Where does the family end up working?
5. What problems does the family have with finding housing?
6. What are the advantages of capitalism in the novel?
7. What are the disadvantages of capitalism in the novel?
8. Is Jurgis a sympathetic character or unsympathetic?
Lesson Plan #2 – Collaboration of English III and CTE
Written by Duane Phillips and Gwen Poore
Title: Capitalism & The Jungle
Grade Level/Subject: Grades 10-11/English
Collaboration: Use business concepts of capitalism, socialism, business ethics, and
social responsibility by tying in current events. Students will use the budgeting activity
to create the link between the concepts presented in The Jungle and Business.
Illinois Learning Standards and/or Skill Standards:
1.A.5a Identify and analyze new terminology applying knowledge of word origins and
derivations in a variety of practical settings.
1.A.5b Analyze the meaning of abstract concepts and the effects of particular word and
phrase choices.
2.A.4a Analyze and evaluate the effective use of literary techniques (e.g. figurative
language, allusion, dialogue, description, symbolism, word choice, dialect) in classic and
contemporary literature representing a variety of forms and media.
Skills Standards:
Solving problems and thinking critically; employ reasoning skills (1.C.5c)
National Business Education Standards
Entrepreneurship
VIII. Legal
Achievement Standard: Analyze how forms of business ownership, government
regulations, and business ethics affect entrepreneurial ventures.
VI. Input Technologies
Achievement Standard: Use input technologies appropriately to enter and manipulate text
and data.
Overview:
Upton Sinclair’s novel corresponds with the beginnings of the industrial revolution
coupled with the decline of the American Dream. The novel has elements of Darwinism
that tie directly into the rise in capitalism and the subversive effects on the human psyche
and the family dynamic. The featured family in the novel suffers to attain a sense of
dignity and respect in a foreign land that differs far from that of Lithuania. Jurgis is the
prototypical protagonist because he is idealistic and morally pure. The business aspects
of the novel are very evident in the novel’s disdain for capitalism because it represents
not only business ethics but an entire philosophy on existence. The literary impact is
equally as important because The Jungle brought vice to the illusion that America was the
land of the free and shelter to those whom are destitute.
Timeframe: One class period
Objectives
I.
Given a prompt, students will be able to discern the economic principles of
capitalism from that of socialism.
Goals
7. For students to understand the contradictions in the American Dream when
coupled with the philosophy of capitalism.
8. For students to understand the core economic principles of socialism.
9. For students to comprehend why immigrants migrated to the United States.
10. For students to realize the sociological impact of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle.
Academic principles



Students will also have a project in which they will have to create a budget based
on living in either a capitalist or socialist state.
Students will be selected into one of the states and will have options based on the
state they enter. Each student will select marital status, educational level, number
of family members, occupation, and location of residency. Based on that
information, students must budget how much they will spend on food, living
expenses, entertainment, and miscellaneous.
Students will use Microsoft Excel to create the proper format for a budget. Those
students who live in a socialist state will have less flexibility because options are
limited based on the fact that most luxuries are fixed.
CTE Application
Incorporate the ideals of the novel, The Jungle, to business concepts of capitalism,
socialism, business ethics, and social responsibility by tying in current events. Students
will use the zooming in and out frame to deconstruct the concept of capitalism into
subordinate concepts like business ethics and social responsibility.
Students will divide into groups of three for the scenario sheet, which is a pre-reading
activity. On said scenario sheet, students will have to presuppose they are in similar
situations as that of the characters in The Jungle. The scenarios will also ask the students
to question themselves to see if they are morally ambiguous or not.
Reading Strategy Details
Directed Reading-Thinking Activity. Prompt students with vocabulary about the novel. In
particular the terms: socialism, capitalism, immigrant, industrial revolution, poverty,
American dream, and business ethics.
Pre-Activities
(1) Directed Reading-Thinking Activity
Activities & Procedures
(2) Directed Reading-Thinking Activity
(3) Mock Interview/Family – Budget Activity
The optimum goal is for students to use the concepts to clarify character development as
well as plot development.
Assessment
(2) Budget Activity
Closing & summarization
End with brief lecture summarizing capitalism and socialization. Students will present
their “Family” comparing how they would physically survive each scenario. Families
will be assigned to a capitalist state or social state and each family will have options as to
marital status, family size, and education.
Materials Needed
The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair
Paper, pen
Lab with Internet Access for researching topics
Lab with Excel for Budget Activity
ResourcesThe Jungle, by Upton Sinclair
Glencoe Introduction to Business
Internet Sites
Day 1
English 3:


Introduce The
Jungle.
Present power
point on
capitalism.
 Scenario sheet
on The
Jungle.
Day 2
English 3:
 Musical
handshakes
Activity
(ice breaker)
 Directed
reading
activity
(read 10
pages of
the book)
Day 3
English 3:

Analyze
business
ethics within
both a
capitalistic and
socialist
society.
 Use current
events to
analyze
literary
significance
of novel.
Day 4
English 3:
 Budget
activity
 Lab time to
research
Day 5
English 3:

Budget
activity