Unauthorized immigration is a complex and hotly debated topic. Class members read an article that examines the issues that motivate unauthorized immigration. Teams then assume the role of special interest groups and present their...

What a great way to discuss European immigration in the 1700's to 1800's in America. Learners identify regions where immigration occurred, list the reasons people moved to the United States, and interview an immigrant about their...

Don't limit your curriculum to texts! Young historians listen to a song, read an interview, and examine a cartoon as they explore motivations for immigrating to the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Students explore the geographic theme of movement. In this migration lesson, students discuss push-pull factors that motivate immigrants and interpret illegal immigration data. Students also discuss the difficulties that illegals face.

High schoolers explore ancestry and immigration. In this Canadian immigration lesson plan, students interview their family members to identify their cultural history. They compose an essay that compares Filipino immigration stories to...

Students discover the history of U.S. Immigration through a series of video clips and activities. Students learn the historical motivations for immigration and are asked to identify their own country of heritage. Links to...

How do you describe the American Dream? What motivates others to immigrate to the United States, and why do some groups have trouble attaining the American Dream? Your learners will consider these questions as they explore figurative...

Fifth graders carefully analyze the artwork, Les Emigrants, and explore the reasons that people emigrated to the United States, and what life was like for new arrivals. They discuss what things immigrants were able to bring with them and...

Studnets trace how immigration patterns have changed in America's history. They analyze the relationship between economic growth and immigration.

Students assume the role of a crime scene detective and examine the lives of various immigrant groups. In this immigration lesson, students examine evidence, websites, and pull from existing knowledge to determine which group they are...

Students explore how recent immigration and migration patterns impact social and political issues. They apply affective learning techniques

Learners examine factors that motivated immigrants to move to Texas. They locate features on the Texas bird's-eye view website, and develop an art or writing project either from a townsperson's or immigrant's perspective.

High schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Chinese immigration instructional activity, students research the Chinese immigration between 1850 and 1882.

Fourth graders study immigration. For this graphing lesson, 4th graders make a population graph of people who have immigrated to Indiana.

Students examine reasons for immigration to the United States in the 19th century. They role play as immigrants asked to write accounts of their immigrant experiences.

Fourth graders see why people came to Wisconsin and what life was like in their new home. They engage in a wonderful series of lessons, which use a variety of multi-media resources. They plan a heritage day party as a culminating event.

History comes alive for students as they develop an immigrant persona and "become" immigrants who make the journey from Europe to the United States. Once on American soil, they experience the immigration process as they participate in a...

Students study the conditions under which immigrants lived. They determine what it means to make it in America. They observe the connection between immigration and unionization and how immigration changed the City of New York. They...

Students explore what life is like for immigrant women in the United States.  In this immigration lesson, students study about immigration through reading and watching a video, then share their thoughts and ideas by participating in...

Fourth graders study immigration and what it is like to be an immigrant. They choose immigrant identities, dress appropriately, and role play during an International Fair where each student displays some aspect of his/her "home country."

Fifth graders research the impact of immigration. In this social studies activity, 5th graders discuss how immigration affected the economy. Students discuss the living and working conditions of immigrants in the 1800s.

Students appreciate the diversity of motives for immigration to the United States. They gather first person data and develop a persuasive presentation. They create a historical comparison of the motives for immigration to the community.

Pupils continue their discussion of if coming to America was the best thing for a group of immigrants. As a class, they complete the citizenship test offered by the INS. They research the benefits and responsibilities of being a United...

Students explain the concept of the "push-pull" effect. They distinguish between voluntary and involuntary immigrants and apply the concept of double consciousness to the immigrant's sense of national identity.