In today's world we hear the word "immigration" in various communication platforms. Immigration has been a hot topic in the last few years with many statements creating various stereotypes and misunderstandings. The lessons strive to provide authentic narratives to challenge commonly held or misunderstood topics in immigration.
In the following lessons we will explore the myths about immigration by using current data to explore the myths through a national and local focus. The lessons will challenge commonly held stereotypes by chanting the narratives. Students will challenge their own beliefs.
In the following lessons students will look deeper in the world of immigration and refugees. Students will delve into the experience of refugees in the United States and further challenge their knowledge and beliefs in the world of immigration.
Essential Question: What are the myths and facts of immigration?
This lesson attempts to identify common statements that may or not be true. Along the way students will reflect how these statements have affected their perspective.
Students will read personal stories of different types of immigration (asylum seeker, refugees, undocumented) and further challenge their assumptions or stereotypes. Students will connect previous lesson statements to the stories read to further confirm or refute the statements.
Students will take a look at their state and community on the facts and stories of immigration and how these stories compare to the original statements from day 1. Students will further be challenged in their assumptions.
Students have been provided with myths and narratives to confirm or refute certain statements. Students will be given a statement in their table groups and students will work to create a station for their peers.
Essential Question: What are the driving factors that result in a mass movement of individuals leaving their homes?
Lesson 1 - Why do people leave their homes?
Summary: People leave their homes for various reasons. Understanding the difference between Immigrants and Refugees can build our understanding of the large wave of SE Asian Americans seeking refuge or immigrating to the United States for various reasons before, during and after the Vietnam War and Khmer Rouge.
Lesson 2 - Life as a refugee
Summary: Life as Refugee is not easy, and it is seldom a topic that is commonly spoken about. After the war, many refugees choose not to talk about their stories with their children. As the modern world progresses, this changes a lot, and their stories can provide an insight on what it was like to escape.
Lesson 3 - Journey to the U.S.
Summary: The journey to the United States was not easy. Many refugees faced obstacles that could easily send them back to Vietnam, where they would face death. These are the stories of individuals who would risk their lives for freedom.
Lesson 4 - Adapting to Life in the U.S.
Summary: Adapting to life in United States is not easy. There is a whole new language, culture and lifestyle. How do these individuals work to preserve their own culture, and/or adopt the new way of life? What are the struggles that they face being in a whole new country, while recreating their lives?