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Interpreting the Evidence

Laborers Measuring Coffee Berries, Chiapas, Mexico, 1927

  • Documents in this Activity:
  • Historical Eras:

    Turn of the Century and WWI (1890 - 1930)

  • Thinking Skill:

    Historical Analysis & Interpretation

  • Grade Level:

    Lower Elementary
    Upper Elementary
    Middle School
    High School
    College University

  • Topics:

    Global History and Geography

  • Primary Source Types:

    Photograph

  • Regions:

    Global

  • Creator:

    NYS Archives Partnership Trust Education Team.

  1. Load Laborers Measuring Coffee Berries, Chiapas, Mexico, 1927 in Main Document Viewer

Suggested Teaching Instructions

Document Description
Laborers measuring coffee berries in the Mexican state of Chiapas, 1927.
 
Essential Question
How does geography influence culture and economy?
 
Check for Understanding
Describe the scene in the photograph and explain the role of geography in the development of culture and economy.
Historical Challenges
Research the labor laws (child labor, retirement age, etc.) in Mexico today. Is there anyone in the photograph who might not be there if the photograph had been taken in the 21st century?
 
Interdisciplinary Connections
Math: Using whole beans and a coffee grinder, find out the average number of beans it takes to make a cup of coffee. Calculate how many coffee beans would be necessary to make enough coffee for all the teachers in the school.
Science: Examine different types of coffee beans. Make observations based on sight, smell, etc.
English Language Arts: Create a poster based on different coffee beans. Write short explanations of how the beans are classified.