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Creative Writing/Historical Journals
Students research primary and secondary sources to find information about their ancestors. They write a series of journal entries, from the perspective of one of their ancestors, on what life was like in that given time period.
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Ellis Island Online
Students research their ancestors by visiting a number of online resources. They read personal immigration stories and begin creating their own family tree.
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Anne Frank: Heritage
Students research questions about their ancestors and their family history. They discuss their findings and include problems of immigrants today.
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Coming to America
Students brainstorm motives for which people left their homeland to come to America listing all their ideas on the board. They listen to the story, "Coming to America", reflect on the story, and summarize the reason for the family...
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History of the American Family
Students discover the history of the American family and the affects of immigration. In addition, they examine the contributions of minority families to American culture. In groups, students explore the pros and cons of dual-income...
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Coming To America
Students investigate the history of America with the help of children's literature. The story is structured as a timeline that begins at the time of Columbus and progresses to the present. The teacher reads the story with the class and...
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Changing Borders
Students explain that the boundaries between countries are not permanent, then analyze current events and stories as examples of cooperation and conflict. They describe a place using physical and human characteristics.
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The Luck of the Irish
Students are introduced to a variety of customs and traditions relating to the culture of Ireland. They view a video, explore the art of storytelling, research sport origins, cook Irish food and discuss well-known Irish proverbs.
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East Meets West
Students explore the influences of culture in food choices and customs. They compare and contrast information to create a menu using a Web site and Student Writing Center. Suggestions for creating an on-line graphic organizer as well as...
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A Family History
Students investigate their family history through pictures and writing. For this family history lesson, students research family, culture, food, music, religion, and clothing. Students gather pictures of their family and events. Students...
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Learning to Interview
Second graders watch simulated interview between the teacher and a student before they interview a classmate using the form provided. Next, they complete two interviews of family members at home. They focus on the concepts of ancestors...
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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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Discovering Your Heritage
Students interview a family member about their heritage. They listen to and record part of their family's oral history. Students also create and label a family tree going back a minimum of two generations and compare and contrast...
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Traditional Values vs. Modern Culture in the Asian Community
Students examine Chinese culture and values. They research the teachings of Confucius, create posters, write short stories, and analyze the history of and present state of gang culture through research, discussion, and writing.
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Angel Island
Eleventh graders understand that the experience of Chinese immigrants is exemplified as one of many other immigrants' experience coming to the United States.
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Unique Family Traditions
Second graders examine unique family traditions. In this family tradition instructional activity, 2nd graders listen to a book about immigration. They interview a family member to determine where their ancestors came from and choose an...
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Oral Histories
One of a series of lessons from Ellis Island. For this lesson, students use research from a previous lesson to conduct oral history interviews of family members to learn about their cultural and ethnic heritage.
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Our Country's People, Lesson One
For this culture, history, and traditions review worksheet, students respond to 7 multiple choice questions regarding cultural geography.
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Pieces of the World
Students locate Australia in relation to rest of world, read poem Pieces of the World by Mervyn James, explore kinds of journeys that Australians have made, and examine their effects - the emotions, the realities and the practicalities.
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Everybody Fiesta: A Unit on Hispanic Celebrations
Young scholars examine the various types of celebrations in the Hispanic culture. Using the internet, they research customs and traditions of the culture and identify important members of society who are hispanic. They are also...
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Treaties
Fifth graders investigate Canadian history by examining the alliances made in the past. In this Canadian treaties lesson plan, 5th graders identify the Native Americans of Canada, known as the First Nations people or Aboriginals....
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Our Country's People Crossword Puzzle
In this US citizens worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle by answering 19 clues. They use words from a word bank at the bottom of the puzzle, which includes ancestor, citizen, government, president, and immigrant.
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No Choice!
Students explore the concept of democratic freedom. In this service learning instructional activity, students investigate the freedom the Pilgrims sought as they moved from England and write a journal from their point of view.
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Family Heritage
Students research their family heritage by interviewing family members. Using their responses, they record them in an organized fashion and develop a presentation. Using the Internet, they locate an artistic representation of their...