Students are introduced to muckraking journalism and the reform movement of the Progressive Era. First they focus on prominent muckrakers and reformers. Next, they learn about the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 as a prime example of Progressive Era reform that had a lasting impact. Finally, they ponder the topic of investigative journalism itself.
Students are introduced to the Progressive Era and its lasting reforms, including muckraking journalism. They examine a political cartoon depicting Standard Oil as an octopus and read an explanation of muckrakers as journalists who exposed corruption and abuses such as child labor, unsafe food, and monopolies. Students respond to a poll about how Americans might have felt about muckrakers, then read additional background on muckrakers and Standard Oil. They post to a class wall explaining why the octopus is an effective symbol for the cartoon’s message.
Teacher MovesReview the lesson objectives and introduce muckrakers and Progressive Era reform. After the poll, prompt students to explain their choices and highlight how reactions to muckrakers varied by economic and political interests (for example, factory owners versus workers). Use student wall responses to surface ideas about the octopus symbol’s meaning, and, as needed, point out its many tentacles, crushing power, and hostile expression as metaphors for Standard Oil’s reach and impact. Optionally direct interested students to the additional article Muckrakers (Optional) in the Student Pack.
Students view a muckraking-era newspaper front page and read about how Progressive Era newspapers and magazines used sensational reporting to raise public awareness and pressure politicians for reform. They learn about W.E.B. Du Bois and watch W.E.B. Dubois and the Niagara Movement to understand his role in fighting for African American rights and co-founding the NAACP. Students are introduced to other key reformers—Ida B. Wells, Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, Jane Addams, and Theodore Roosevelt as “the trust buster”—and then choose one reformer to research using the internet or the provided links. Using a drawing/poster tool, they post a portrait of their chosen reformer along with a brief description of how that person impacted society.
Teacher MovesInvite volunteers to share their reformer portraits and descriptions, ensuring that at least one student presents for each highlighted reformer. Use these shares to reinforce each individual’s contributions to Progressive Era reforms and to connect their work to broader themes of social and political change.
Students examine an image of an FDA inspector in a candy factory and read about the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, focusing on how it created standards for food and medicine safety and why its passage faced opposition from some businesses and states’ rights advocates. They read Pure Food and Drug Act Passes, June 23, 1906 to learn more about the Act’s history. Students then post to a class wall explaining how the Act benefited society, and to a second wall explaining the costs or drawbacks of the Act. Afterward, they review classmates’ posts and respond to at least two with questions or positive comments.
Teacher MovesHighlight one or more strong student examples about the benefits of the Act, then use student posts on both benefits and costs to launch a discussion about whether the Pure Food and Drug Act was, overall, a positive or negative change. As needed, emphasize benefits such as preventing disease and limiting harmful or useless remedies, and costs such as tax-funded inspections, loopholes for unreliable medicines, and delays in approving new drugs. If helpful, suggest Pure Food and Drug Act as an additional concise resource on the law’s history, provisions, and impact.
Students view an image of a 1942 newsroom and read about how the term muckraker has come to apply to modern investigative journalists. They conduct a brief online search to find a recent example in which investigative journalism exposed an important issue. On a class wall, they name the issue and briefly describe it, then review classmates’ posts and respond to at least two with questions. They may consult Ten Noteworthy Moments in U.S. Investigative Journalism for additional examples.
Teacher MovesUse student examples to broaden the discussion of investigative journalism’s continuing role in exposing problems and prompting reform. As appropriate, reference additional notable cases such as Watergate, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, or NSA surveillance to connect students’ findings to major historical moments.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
©2026 Exploros. All rights reserved.