Curated OER
The Poetry of Chinese Immigration
Numerous people from China immigrated to the US during the era of industrialization and expansion. Provide your class with a glimpse into the life of a Chinese immigrant through the poetry they left behind. They then compose a poem of...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
History of Immigration From the 1850s to the Present
The Statue of Liberty may embrace the huddled masses of the world, but has American society always joined in? After young historians read a passage about the history of American immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on...
Curated OER
Chinese Immigration in the Mid-19th Century
High schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Chinese immigration lesson, students research the Chinese immigration between 1850 and 1882.
Curated OER
Teaching the Chinese Immigrant's Story - Angel Island (1910-1940)
Students pretend to be Chinese and European immigrants, and U.S. citizens, as they explore immigration in California in the first half of the 20th Century.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Ellis Island—The “Golden Door” to America
Are you one of the 100 million Americans whose ancestors passed through the doors of Ellis Island? Learn about the historic entry point for immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with an informative reading passage. After...
Curated OER
Chinese Immigration 1860s-1880s
Eighth graders consider the plight of Chinese immigrants to America. In this immigration lesson, 8th graders analyze political cartoons from the late 1800's that exemplify American public opinion regarding Chinese immigrants. The...
Curated OER
Coming to America: U.S. Immigration
Students study immigration in the late 19th and early 20th century. In this immigration lesson plan, students participate in activities including creating maps, responding to non fiction text, memorizing and analyzing poetry, and...
Advocates for Human Rights
A Global Perspective on Immigration
To gain a global perspective on immigration, groups investigate and create a map of the migration patterns in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Class members then examine the background, immigration history, and...
Curated OER
Chinese Immigration
High schoolers identify artifacts from Chinese immigrants that are common to other immigrant groups, describe how American society discriminated against the Chinese, describe contribution of Chinese immigrants to American society,...
Curated OER
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Lesson: Immigration
Many of your class members will have heard of Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Some may even recognize the terms “Issei” and “Nisei,” but few will have heard of Enemy Alien Hearing Boards, of the...
Curated OER
Immigration and Identity
Young scholars will analyze four historical events: The Annexation of U.S. Southwest, The Mexican Revolution, The Great Depression, and World War II. They determine how each event affected immigration to the U.S. from Mexico and Central...
Curated OER
Immigration Policy: Past and Present
Students examine the history of the United States' immigration policy. They identify events in history that changed policies regarding immigrants. They discuss new possible legislation as well.
University of Arkansas
Promises Denied
"Promises Denied," the second instructional activity in a unit that asks learners to consider the responsibilities individuals have to uphold human rights, looks at documents that illustrate the difficulty the US has had trying to live...
Curated OER
History of Immigration From the 1850's to the Present
Eleventh graders study the history of immigration from 1850 to the present. In this American History lesson, 11th graders compare the 1924 and 1965 immigration acts and give a reasoned opinion on each. Students research, write, and...
Curated OER
The Growth of U.S.-Japanese Hostility, 1915-1932
Students explore the relationship between Japan and the United States between 1915 and 1932. In this diplomacy lesson, students examine the Open Door Policy, 21 Demands, and the invasion of Manchuria by Japan. Students conduct research...
Curated OER
Chinese, Japanese, & Korean Immigration to the U. S.
Students study immigration of people from Southeast Asian countries to the United States. Pupils create maps and geographically illustrate the immigration. Using the internet, students research an assigned topic. They write an essay...
Curated OER
Lee Yick: Fighting Racism
Students study the 14th Amendment, then review and analyze a Supreme Court brief. There was much racism exhibited toward the Chinese immigrants by the European Americans; this came in the form of institutional racism and mob violence....
Curated OER
The Ethics of Outsourcing to China
After viewing clips from a documentary on factory work in China and US outsourcing, learners have a fishbowl discussion. They work in groups to build both personal points of view and strong arguments on the effects of outsourcing in...
Curated OER
Editorial Cartoons: A Historical Example of Immigration Debates
Eleventh graders analyze political cartoons. In this American History lesson, 11th graders research the Chinese Exclusion Act and the current arguments about immigration to the United States. Students create a graphic organizer...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Xenophobia
In this historical events worksheet, students analyze an anti-immigration political cartoon and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Us & Them: Immigration and the Construction of Race
Students examine the topic of immigration as a race issue. Using recent immigration policy, they analyze the role of race and racism. In groups, they outline their reasoning on the board and discuss. They use the text of the Chinese...
Curated OER
Gold Mountain: Real Gold or Fool's Gold
High schoolers participate in a meeting of one of the Six Companies that serves the needs of Chineese immigrants to California in the 1840's. Jobs are researched, profiles filed, posters designed, Chinese immigrant life examined in this...
Curated OER
Opportunity and Danger
Students examine the Immigration Acts of 1862 and 1865. They discover how Chinese immigrants faced prejudice. They interview a first or second generation immigrant.
Curated OER
19th Century Immigration.
Eleventh graders analyze primary source cartoons depicting discrimination against immigrants. They study the historical relationship Dominican Republic has had with the United States. They assess how this relationship is linked to...