Are We There Yet?

Engage

1. As a class play the "immigration" title word play game
   • Use the letters in immigration to create words associated with immigration
2. Use PowerPoint to introduce the lesson and to answer the question "Is America a Melting Pot or a Salad Bowl"?
3. Immigration Geocaching
   • Give students GPS devices and provide latitudes and longitudes for artifacts. Students search for artifacts and use clues to identify country and immigrant group
4. Were immigrants welcomed to their new homes?
5. Is America really a melting pot?
6. Why do people immigrate?

Explore

1. Research the country, people and artifacts found during the geocache activity. Create a new page on the wiki and record information for your immigration group on the wiki page.  Consider the push and pull factors, political and economic issues of the country as well as travel hardships and experiences.  Include life after arrival and how the immigrants were treated in there new country. Describe the social, economic, and political impact of migration on:
   • America
   • North Carolina
   • Your Family

2. What caused the Roanoke colonist to travel to Jamestown?  You have been hired by Governor John White to investigate “The Roanoke Colony cold case".  Based on your investigation, create 5 theories for their disappearance.  Provide research to support your theory.

3. Interview students in the school to identify the major ethnic groups living in the community. What led their familily to settle down in this community?Describe political economic and social issues at the state and local levels and evaluate their impact on the community.  What holidays, customs and foods were brought to the US by immigrants?

Explain

1. Geocaching
   • Place coordinates in GPS
   • Using GPS device go outside and find artifacts located at the coordinates given
   • Use artifacts found to create a timeline for immigrant arrival in the new country
   • Research artifacts to obtain additional information on the immigrant group
2. Wiki
   • Students identify country and immigrant group
   • Research the country to determine the political and economical issues during the time period
   • Research the immigrant group to determine the push and pull factors
   • Include travel issues, life before and after and acceptance in their new country
3. Newspaper
   • Create a period-specific historically correct newspaper that describes the country
   • Provide appropriate clipart
   • What issues led to the immigrants leaving country of birth?
   • Report on political, economic and social issues of the period
   • Include foods and cultural activities
4. Interview
   • Students interview classmates on their own knowledge of their own ethnic groups
   • Create a chart illustrating the ethnic makeup of the school
5. Podcast
   • Discuss heritage with family
   • Reasons for settling in the community

What issues has the immigration group encountered transitioning into their new home? 

How has immigrantion affected America? North Carolina? Your local community?

Elaborate

Think like a scientist as you carefully analyze clues and research information to create a wiki on your assigned immigrant group.  Provide a visual picture through words to describe the immigrant group.  Include:

• the country of origin
• immigrant group
• push and pull factors
• economic, social and political issues
• experiences of travel
• life after arrival

Consider this research and other information as you create your historically correct (fictional) newsletter.  Include:

• picture of country
• political, economic, social issues
• a name that you create for your newspaper
• topic of choice

Think like a scientist as your observe, analyze and make inferences on the the Roanoke colonists. Consider why they decided to travel to Roanoke and what issues led to their disappearance. What theories can you come up with on why they disappeared?

Reflect on information learned as you interview students in school to illustrate ethnic makeup of school.  Include:

• ethnic backgrounda
• countries of ancestors
• push and pull factors that led to the community

Create a podcast of your family ethnic heritage.

Evaluate

Immigration Project Assessment Rubric Name:____________________________________________ Date:________________ Immigration Group:________________________________ Group: ______________   How did each group member contribute to the project?  How was work shared among group members?  The most important things learned from completing this project:  How does immigration affect America? North Carolina? Your family?  

Extend

1. Discuss the issue of immigrants entering the U.S. illegally. Design a plan to solve the illegal immigration problem.  Compose and mail letters to Congress outlining suggested changes to the immigration policy.
2. Host a cultural festival of ethnic food, dance and cultural celebrations.
3. Write a letter to a friend living in the country from which you migrated who is considering leaving. Include in your letter positive and negative experiences in your new country. Explain hardships you encountered during your trip and issues you confronted upon arrival.