Lesson Plans

Immigration Themes in Film & Literature

Immigration Themes in Film & Literature uses literature and film to introduce high school students to various ways writers, poets, and filmmakers have depicted the immigrant experience in the United States.

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From War on Terror to War on Bias

The objective of From War on Terror to War on Bias is to broaden the view students may have of Iraqi and Muslim immigrants. Students will examine current stereotypes and other forms of judgment as well as gain insight into the struggles immigrants face while adapting to a new culture.

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Oral History - Creating an Immigration Museum

Oral History - Creating an Immigration Museum will aid students in developing a deeper understanding of the immigrant experience through a series of Oral History projects-interviews, writing, research and art-culminating in the creation of an Immigration Museum.

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No Pretty Pictures by Anita Lobel

Illustrated with her family photographs, and written in a straightforward prose, No Pretty Pictures offers valuable lessons on the Holocaust and survival for adolescent readers. In this lesson, students will read, reflect and use maps and text to study the "push-pull factors" of the immigrant experience.

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Cesar Chavez and the Mexican-American Field Worker Experience

Cesar Chavez and the Mexican-American Field Worker Experiences is designed to teach students about the life and work of Cesar Chavez and to document the experiences of contemporary agricultural field workers. After learning about the work of Cesar Chavez, students will design and conduct original research about the conditions and needs of today's field workers. The end product of this project will be a booklet reporting on the research and findings of the students. This booklet will be printed and made available as a resource for the local school district and the community at large.

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Digital Natives = Digital Storytelling

The goal of Digital Natives=Digital Storytelling is to have students identify their own ancestry and understand the important role immigrants have in developing our nation. By using the latest technologies and literacy-based activities, students will become cognizant of what issues caused people to leave their former lives behind, the problems involved in adapting to a new world, the cultural richness they brought to this country and how these characteristics have endured time to enrich our lives.

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An Immigrant's Experience - An Interdisciplinary Technology, Language Arts and Social Studies Project (NEW)

An Immigrant's Experience is designed to help middle school students gain a better understanding of an immigrant's experience. By conducting interviews and writing journal entries, students will be able to understand and appreciate their interviewee's unique journey by creating a first-person retelling of their experience using iMovie.

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Stories of Immigration

Stories of Immigration teaches secondary grade students about the value of immigration through selected literature. The lesson also increases student awareness of the important historical periods of immigration and the effects of these events on America.

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Issues in Immigration: A Debate

Issues in Immigration: A Debate explores conflicts, myths and facts about immigration and immigrants. This lesson plan increases student awareness about immigration issues through the art debate.

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Immigration Today

Immigration Today will allow middle grade students to develop their communications skills as speakers and writers as they discover how American immigrants continue to contribute positively to the American way of life.

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