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Using Oral History to Understand Immigrant History
Students use oral history to comprehend how life chaned for men, women, and childern when they immigrated to the United States. Students conduct interviews with immigrants in an attempt to interpret hardships, lifestyles, careers, and...
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Lee Chew's Story
Students put themselves in the shoes of a Chinese immigrant to America. In this immigration activity, students read an account from Lee Chew, a Chinese immigrant to America in the 19th century. Students discuss their impression of the...
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Letters from Rifka
Students read Karen Hesse's book "Letters from Rifka" and explore how it presents the experiences of a Russian immigrant to America. They research and write reports on the experiences of various immigrants from different cultures, keep...
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Modern Day Pilgrims
Eleventh graders explore how modern day immigrants may be pilgrims in their own respect. They learn what immigrants and pilgrims are, and be assigned to demonstrate learning about an immigrant in their ancestry.
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Indentured Servants
Pupils read the article, "Misery." and take notes about reasons immigrants came to America, their physical treatment on the journey, living conditions when they arrived in America, and benefits at the conclusion of servitude. Students...
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Immigration to the United States
Students work together as a class to create a videotape examining their different family histories. They interview their families about their experiences immigrating to America. They draw illustrations of their family to be included on...
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Regional and Social Dialects
Both humorous and fascinating, dialects of the English language are a never-ending source of cultural studies in America. This presentation details characteristics and vocabulary of Eastern U.S. dialects, Southern dialects, and Western...
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Constructing Narrative from the Migrant Experience in Literature
Excerpts from John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and from John Fante's Ask the Dust, as well as a variety of primary source documents provide the background for an examination of the migrant experience from 1920-1945.
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Lady Liberty
If you're looking for a fantastic cross-curricular lesson on the Statue of Liberty, then this lesson is for you! Learners watch a Reading Rainbow episode which focuses on the Statue, then gather facts about the creation, construction,...
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Letters From Rifka
Small groups read assigned chapters from the book, Letters to Rifka, then work together to fill out comprehension worksheets associated with their chapters. This fine, 13-page lesson culminates with each group getting together to meet...
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When Worlds Collide
Students explore the intersection between immigration and America's vision of itself. They examine how immigrant groups view themselves as Americans, and how the American 'mainstream' views these same immigrant groups.
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The American Mosaic
Eighth graders role play as a poor immigrant family moving from the Old World to the New World in search of the American Dream. They create a portfolio and journal of their travels.
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From America, With Love
Students research the experiences of specific immigrant groups in the United States. Letters are written from imaginary immigrants to relatives in their countries of origin, including historically accurate details.
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...If Your Name Was Changed At Ellis Island
Fourth graders investigate the concept of and reasons for immigration. They report on an immigrant group that moved to Illinois since 1700.
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Colonial Migration
Students, in groups, create a student book for an assigned group of immigrants to the Colonial United States (Huguenots, Scots, Irish, Africans.) They create drawings for the book and rhyming text that depicts three struggles that...
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Life on Plymouth Plantation
Third graders research life of Plymouth Plantation and write letters about life there home. In this Plymouth life activity, 3rd graders complete a webquest as they gather information about the journey to America on the Mayflower and the...
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The Chinese Expulsion Act of 1880
Students examine the Chinese Expulsion Act of 1880. In this History lesson, students explore the issues of immigration and exclusion surrounding the Chinese Expulsion Act. Students will use a variety of primary sources to write an essay...
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Opportunity and Danger
Students analyze the immigrant experience. In this Chinese immigration lesson plan, students research Internet and print sources regarding the topic. Students also watch videos regarding the topic and interview immigrants or children...
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When This World Was New
Second graders participate in a guided reading activity and read about and immigrant family. In this guided reading activity, 2nd graders answer questions that focus on their new homeland. Students write a response to literature.
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Changing Places
Students investigate the Chinese-American immigration experience. In this assimilation lesson, students watch "Becoming American: The Chinese Experience" and then participate in classroom activities regarding the topic. The activities...
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Symbols of America
Students research the events of September 11th . In this symbols lesson, students discover ways to honor this day. Students research the Internet for symbols used to represent ideas, events and people. Students work in groups to design a...
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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...
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Africans and African Americans Lesson Plan
Young scholars read the narrative "African Immigration" and examine racism in America today. They discuss and investigate overt and subtle racist practices and behaviors.
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Antisemitism in Early America
Eleventh graders explore the rise of antisemitism in the United States in the early 20th century. After reading a passage concerning one man's ordeal, 11th graders discuss how the civil rights of minority groups has been viewed in...