National Endowment for the Humanities
David Walker vs. John Day: Two Nineteenth-Century Free Black Men
What was the most beneficial policy for nineteenth-century African Americans: to stay in the United States and work for freedom, or to immigrate to a new place and build a society elsewhere? Your young historians will construct an...
Curated OER
Immigrant Students
Students use their personal school experiences in America to compose a list of tips to help immigrant students adapt. In this immigrant students lesson, students work in pairs to recall their personal experiences in American schools....
Curated OER
The Asian American Experience in the United States: A Chronological History
Eleventh graders understand push-pull factor in Asian Amencan immigration. They identify patterns of Asian immigration to the United States and recognize their correlation to the concurrent socio-economic and political conditions of that...
Curated OER
Immigrants to Kansas: Why Did They Come
Students explore U.S. History by researching Kansas. In this immigration activity, students discuss the benefits of immigrating to a state like Kansas in the 1800's while writing their thoughts and research in a reporter's notebook....
Curated OER
Appreciating Our American Heritage
Learners learn about the Chinese culture via literature. They read the poetry of Cathy Song, considering national pride as Americans and Chinese.
Curated OER
Cultural Riches
Students examine culture and how immigrants adapt to American culture while contributing elements of their various cultures to that of the United States.
Curated OER
Ellis Island: Gateway To America
Fifth graders study the immigration station on Ellis Island. Through several activities, they see that immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island came to America from different countries, mostly those in Europe, for a variety of reasons.
Curated OER
Coming to America
Fifth graders listen to the song America by Neil Diamond, view pictures of Ellis Island, and role play as processing officers who evaluate, classify and recommend which immigrants can stay in America.
Curated OER
American Migrations Timeline
In order to answer the question of whether the United States is a country of migrants or immigrants, learners compile a list of migrations in America. From this list they conduct individual research for a particular episode of migration...
Curated OER
Asian-American History
Students access web based resources in order to study the history of Asian-Americans as they immigrated and assimilated into live in America using grade level appropriate resources. Also, they examine journals, artifacts, and complete...
Curated OER
Is Coming to the United States of America Good For the Immigrant?
Students evaluate impact of American politics, economy, culture, and environment on the immigrant, gather first person data, and use it to develop a persuasive presentation.
Curated OER
Immigration in Massachusetts, 1880-1920
Students, in groups, research immigration in America at the turn of the century. They put together a series of original written essays, letters, newspaper columns, etc. that show what it was like to live as an American citizen and as an...
Smithsonian Institution
Affirmation, Assimilation, and Acculturation: Middle School
Latin American culture is deeply embedded in American culture as a whole. From the Latin rock scene in San Francisco to the hip-hop world of New York, Latin American artists have influenced every genre of modern music. Learn about the...
University of Arkansas
Human Rights
What basic rights are guaranteed to all Americans? Do citizens, legal aliens, illegal aliens, and minors all have the same rights? Should individuals all over the world enjoy the same rights? Class members read the Declaration of...
Curated OER
Port of Entry
Students research patterns of immigration throughout American history. The focus is on the process of how immigrants came through Ellis Island. Students reflect upon the topic to develop critical thinking skills.
Curated OER
An International Dinner Table
Students investigate the origins of several crops eaten in the United States today. The facto0rs that influence consumer choices and the influences on the American population as to eating preferences are discussed in this lesson plan.
Curated OER
Asian-American History for Grades 6-8
Learners use web technology to access American history and the Asian-American experience. They evaluate journals as historical artifacts, especially the concept of firsthand account vs. history text. Students discuss Asian American...
Bette Brooks
"No Irish Need Apply..."
Young scholars describe conditions that led to massive immigration from Ireland in the 1840s, and compare response of native-born Americans to Irish immigration with responses to Mexican immigration today.
Curated OER
Political Spectrum
In this government worksheet, students identify and describe the differences between each part of the political spectrum by listing some points under each title in the chart. Then they choose any of the 9 issues listed, discuss and...
Curated OER
Gold Mountain
Students read primary and secondary sources to find jobs as a Chinese immigrant. In groups they create a chart listing jobs for Chinese and write a letter about employment and living conditions to a Chinese friend.
Curated OER
New Movements For Social Justice: The Latino Struggle for Equal Rights
Students examine myths and stereotypes about Hispanic immigrant groups. They appreciate and share the strengths of their diversity and view films that challenge ideas about education and cultural values. They explore the Latino Rights...
Curated OER
Kaffee - und Teegesellschaften: German Foods
Introduce your Language students to the culture and 19th century German custom of serving coffee and cake at small parties. They read old cookbooks, sort recipes, prepare foods, compare old German recipes to recipes from home and convert...
Curated OER
Writing a Play about Immigrant Life in America
Students research why immigrants came to America and the processes involved in the settlement. They write a script for a short play explaining the causes for immigration and situations that immigrants found themselves in.
Curated OER
Appreciating Our American Heritage
Eleventh graders learn about the Chinese culture and how important they feel their heritage and culture are, and to help the American students develop a pride in their own culture as well.