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//Jake Comito// //Colin O'Shea// //Kyle Schroeder// //Cory Gottlieb//

**Essential Question-** What does it mean to be a blue collar worker in America?

**Challenge-** Improve awareness of the importance of blue collar workers.

**Guiding Questions-** 1. Has the meaning of being a blue collar worker changed due to technology advancements? 2. Would America be not as successful without blue collar workers? 3. What social class are blue collar workers considered to be in?

=Who are Blue Collar Workers =
 * Electrician
 * Plumber
 * Construction workers
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Automotive and aviation mechanics
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Police officers
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Carpenter
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Welder
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">HVAC, pipe-fitter
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Roofer
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Janitors
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Exterminator

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**Guiding Activities-**


 * Research the importance of blue collar workers, and their impact on America.
 * Ask people what they think when they hear the term "blue collar worker"
 * Ask people what they want to be when they grow up and see the percentage of them... if any are blue collar jobs.
 * How does America's higher standards of living and enforcement of a higher education effect our view of blue collar workers?

===<span style="color: #0000ff; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">Guiding Resources- ===

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**http://outofyourrut.com/blog/2010/02/09/blue-collar-jobs-cant-be-moved-offshore/**

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Even though technology is advancing blue collar workers are still highly needed. Their jobs are secure. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Most of the time, you do not need a college education to be a blue collar worker. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- You are more useful around your own house, you might not need to call someone when something needs to be fixed. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">- Very skilled, may be able to trade or sell something you make

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/16/opinion/16blow.html?_r=1&ref=bluecollarworkers**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Of the jobs that are expected to grow significantly, 7 of the top ten are low paying jobs which most do not even require a degree, just on job training.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">STEM jobs (Science, technology, engineering, mathematicis) are also expected to grow, but not as much as the low paying jobs.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2010/08/31/restoring-dignity-to-blue-collar-work/**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The way that America stresses the importance of being able to compete in the global economy have driven many of america's young people into college classrooms, when they would be better suited or happier for a job that involves physical labor.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">While these jobs are not as high paying as some that require college degrees, blue collar jobs have a need for a practical skill that people take pride in.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**http://bluecollarandproudofit.com/**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Blue Collar Workers are the backbone of America.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">They are the ones who build your house, who fix your car, who stop your faucet from leaking, and cut your grass when it needs trimming.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">These are the jobs that keep our country running and make life easier and better for the rest of us.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">However, this next generation has been convinced that the only way to succeed and be happy is to attend college, even though many will drop out before finishing.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The youth of today aren't taking over the blue collar jobs that need to be worked in order to keep things normal and running.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">http://www.bubbajobs.com/articles/Blue-Collar-Jobs_Summary.html

=<span style="color: #ff0000; font-size: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">Charts- Answers from Survey =

<span style="color: #0000ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**1. This is the percent of people who think being a blue collared worker is a good job** <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">

<span style="color: #0000ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**2. This is the different fields of work our parents do. (Pascack Valley High School)**

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">

<span style="color: #0000ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**3. What do you want to be when you grow up?**



<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif;">Solution/Action

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Blue collar workers are the backbone of our country. A lot of us think about blue collar workers and immediately label them as mediocre or dumb because they don't make as much money as people with white collar jobs. Think about it. When your pipes are clogged, you call a plumber. When your car breaks down, you take it to the mechanic. When your house is infested with bugs, you call an exterminator. If that isn't enough, think about your house. It was built by blue collar workers, like the rest of America was. A way to describe their work is under appreciated. Everyday people take for granted the house they live in, the roads they drive on, and the car they drive in. That is why blue collar work is so important.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">People may say technology has affected blue collar workers. Machines have taken their jobs and there are becoming less and less of them. Just like in the movie "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" Charlie's dad looses his job as a toothpaste capper to a machine that does it more efficiently and quickly. Machines are affecting blue-collar workers, but that doesn't mean they are not important. An average family spends about $30,000 a year on repairs, which means a lot of work for the blue-collared workers. Machines cannot do everything, and never will be able to, which is why blue-collared workers are so important.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Imagine if you're sitting at home and your internet goes down, or you get out of the shower and the spout starts leaking. You call an electrician or a mechanic and they come to your house and help you out. Now, what happens if they didn't come. What happens if you were stuck and did not know what to do? Our country wouldn't run well. Our people wouldn't be pleased. People wouldn't buy those products knowing if they broke it was just a waste of money. Blue collar workers are a huge part of how our country runs.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Blue collar workers are very important but it is physically grueling work. For most people it is not ideal, and they rather be doing something else that they can make more money and do less work. That is why blue collar workers take up most of the middle class. They have good jobs and make a living but they are not overly wealthy or living in Beverly Hills. They live happily though, with more than enough money to survive.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Blue collar workers are generically the hardest working people in America. They get their hands dirty everyday to do the jobs that no one else wants to do. They are the backbone of America and without them, things wouldn't get done. They build buildings, pave streets, repair cars, kill bugs, and fix every thing or any thing you need around your house. To be a blue collar worker means you are reliable and hard-working. Even though technology has limited them in a way that makes them less common, blue collar workers will always be needed. No matter how far in the future you go, you will always need electricians, plumbers, car repairmen, and many more. Blue collar workers are extremely important and without them our country wouldn't function the same way.