Young scholars discuss meaning of symbols associated with Statue of Liberty, read and analyze Emma Lazarus' sonnet, "The New Colossus," and write persuasive letter to a nineteenth-century audience to gain support for bringing statue to...

Fourth graders express their views of liberty through creative writing. They view video segments about the history of the Statue of Liberty.

Students research the history of the Statue of Liberty and the symbols associated with it. They read and discuss Emma Lazarus' poem and why it should persuade people to donate money to bring the statue to America. Students role-play as...

Seventh graders explore The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus. In this The New Colossus lesson plan, 7th graders read the poem and analyze its meaning. Students discuss what the poem means about American culture and why it was engraved on the...

Students discuss ways to earn money and why they might need it. Students create crowns to wear all day like in the story. Students create a play using characters in the story. Students interview "eyewitnesses" at the unveiling of the...

Students appreciate how families are important to the expansion and progress of a country. In this biographies lesson, students read a biography and write their biographies including photos. Students create family trees.

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...

Students investigate countries by identifying their national landmarks.  In this World Geography activity, students utilize the Internet to research a historic landmark in a foreign country and complete a landmark survey worksheet....

Learners make a list of every day symbols they know of and write down what each symbol stands for. Then they are asked to help their knowledge further by considering all the meanings various symbols might have.

Students discuss what it would be like to be new to a town. They are then asked questions related to the immigrants coming to America. Extensions of this lesson are available.

Students explore American freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility. In this American history lesson, students discuss what it means to be an American as they reflect on contributions of noteworthy Americans and write a composition...

Second graders research the Kansas state capitol building. In this historical landmark lesson, 2nd graders explore the Kansas state capitol. Over three days students explore the Governor's office, Senate and House of Representatives, and...

Young scholars locate Harlem on a city map of New York City. As a class, they are given information and take notes on the Harlem Renaissance. They are read two poems by different authors and write a paragraph about what they believe it...

Students explore immigration. In this U.S. history immigration lesson, students complete and read a mini-book about Ellis Island.

Seventh graders create an image of a common patriotic symbol. They then complete a research project on the symbol they chose. The teacher creates a rubric which is used as the grading process.

Students explore a country and its culture through its national landmarks. They use technology tools to research and communicate information. To demonstrate research skills, they use the Internet as well as print materials.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Statue of Liberty and its message for immigrants. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This full text is borrowed from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and provides information about the history of Ellis Island and the first person account of the immigration experience....