Specialization and Division of Labor

In Social Studies we have been learning about the economy. Students have realized it is nearly impossible (or efficient) to perform every task of a job by yourself. This became an interesting topic to discuss in class since my higher learners prefer to work alone. In their mind, they know they can do the job well and so they prefer to take charge from beginning to end. However, this process is long and tedious for one person. I had this group of learners imagine that they were farmers. In order to make a living, they had to prepare their land, plant their crops, harvest the crops, and then sell them. Students were able to come up with a plan for how to do this “their way.” It sounded credible.

So, I prompted further by having them think about land that was desperate for water; farming tools that broke from overuse; animals consuming crops in the night; crops that died due to sun exposure and drought; and lastly, a store that did not have room to carry all of the crops so they went to waste. Anxiety began to rise in the students as they realized their perfect plan had many roadblocks to overcome. So I let students think on that for a few days. After the unit on specialization and division of labor, I returned to the same conversation with the same students. Did they feel the same? Some, yes. Most, no. Many wished for collaboration to alleviate loneliness. Some wished for additional helping hands to remain young and less stressed. And a few wished for additional land to prove they could do it on their own and better than their counter parts.

Being in control is a need for many people in today’s society (I being one of them). However, what if when you worked with other people it doubled your profit and your happiness? Would you still prefer to work alone? Every student but one agreed. That one student was afraid of risk and the “interdependence” factor we had been talking about scared him to death. How could he possibly give up the control and allow the process to rest on someone else’s shoulders? Although there might be additional benefit, the risk was too great. I have decided to put this issue on hold and follow up in a year as the child matures. Their outlook might change with gained knowledge and personal growth.

For now, the point was we can be something great, but together we can become something greater. We need one another. We depend on one another. That has its downfalls, but most often it is the reason we are a success as a nation. We are individuals who specialize in one area (that makes us unique), but we put those talents together to create something bigger than our self (and that makes us spectacular).

To help illustrate how we are all connected even though we do very different things, I handed things over to my clinical student from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She reminded students of the division of labor topic we had been discussing. Each student wore a name plate around their neck with a  job title. She had them look around the room and imagine what all these jobs had to do with one another. “How could we need each other?” she asked. Students came up with some predictions, but confusion and doubt came over their faces. She began by saying “I am a farmer. I want to work with the store owner so I can sell my goods.” She then passed the yarn to the store owner. He replied, “I want to work with the banker to hold the money I make.” He rolled the yarn to the banker. On and on went the yarn from one job to another. Students began to see a web effect of how we all work together even though we specialize in different areas of work.

This visual opened students’ eyes to the impact one person has on the community, and when that one person is out of a job, how it affects everyone else. This widened their perspective and helped them see beyond just their job and their impact. “The community depends on each and every one of these people, and so should you.” I said.

Students went back to their seat to reflect on this experience. They wrote about their job, who they might work with and why. They told of how important it was to work as a team and not only care about yourself. But the best response I heard was the increase in appreciation for the people of the community they live in because they now understand how important each person and job is to their own success as a person. Wow. Insightful.

Maybe this wasn’t just a Social Studies lesson…

How else could I teach this concept? I’d love to hear your approach!

About the author, Gretchen

I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.

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