This exercise was created by Lara Beninca.
Immigration Today
To go along with the chapter in our book, we will be doing an Internet project on immigration.
Justification: Immigration is a topic that all of us in this class can relate to. It is relevant to our lives. This project will give us the opportunity to practice reading authentic materials. We will also practice researching and reading on the Internet. Researching and using the internet are very important skills for students today. Furthermore, we will gain experience in writing about our research and putting it all together into a final product.
Instructions:
1. Meet with your group.
2. Choose one role below. Each person must have a different role.
The News Editor
Summarize the causes and effects of immigration in the USA today (socially, politically and economically). Why do people immigrate? How does immigration affect our society? Explain the current debate over immigration. What are the arguments pro and con. Represent different viewpoints. The news editor will also oversee the final product. Turn in an outline that shows all of the important information you found on the topic. The outline must be written in your own words!
The Statistician
Get the facts and figures behind immigration today. Collect statistics, charts, graphs, and numerical data on different aspects of immigration. Compile the information. It is acceptable to copy and paste charts and graphs from other sources, but make sure that you write where you got the information. You need to write a description under each chart and graph in your own words. You also need write one or two paragraphs that summarize the information you find about immigration.
The Historian
Trace the history of immigration in the United States. Begin with the first settlers from England up to today. Show how immigration patterns and trends have changed (or remained the same) over the years. You may want to create a timeline. Include some descriptions of immigrant life and culture as well as dates and numbers. Turn in an outline or timeline that shows the important events and changes in immigration over time. Write everything in your own words!
The Features Editor
What is life like for an immigrant today? Do some Internet research on general information about immigrant life today. Find two or more real (not virtual) immigrants and interview them. Design your questions to give your readers an interesting and informative depiction of everyday life and issues for the person/people you interview. Turn in the questions and answers for each interview. Also, write two to three paragraphs reflecting on what you learned and what you think about immigrant life today.
The Photojournalist
Find photos on the Internet (or take your own and scan them in!) to supplement the work of the Features Editor and the News Editor. Obviously you will need to meet with them to discuss their projects. Write a description of the photos and what they say about immigration in your own words under each picture. Also write short summary of what your pictures show us about immigration.
3. Do the research and collect the information for your role. Try these websites for useful information for your role.
NPR: American’s Views on Immigration
Long List of Links to Sites about Immigration
My Green Card: Opinions and Information about Immigration
National Conference of State legislators Immigration Policy
There are many more resources on the Internet related to immigration. Go to or your favorite search engine to find more information.
4. Put your information into the form explained above for your part. Everything must be in your own words!!! Do NOT copy and paste from the Internet! Bring your information to class. It must be typed. Share your research and work with your group.
5. Be prepared to explain your work to the rest of the class and answer questions about it. Be interesting!
Immigration Today
To go along with the chapter in our book, we will be doing an Internet project on immigration.
Justification: Immigration is a topic that all of us in this class can relate to. It is relevant to our lives. This project will give us the opportunity to practice reading authentic materials. We will also practice researching and reading on the Internet. Researching and using the internet are very important skills for students today. Furthermore, we will gain experience in writing about our research and putting it all together into a final product.
Instructions:
1. Meet with your group.
2. Choose one role below. Each person must have a different role.
The News Editor
Summarize the causes and effects of immigration in the USA today (socially, politically and economically). Why do people immigrate? How does immigration affect our society? Explain the current debate over immigration. What are the arguments pro and con. Represent different viewpoints. The news editor will also oversee the final product. Turn in an outline that shows all of the important information you found on the topic. The outline must be written in your own words!
The Statistician
Get the facts and figures behind immigration today. Collect statistics, charts, graphs, and numerical data on different aspects of immigration. Compile the information. It is acceptable to copy and paste charts and graphs from other sources, but make sure that you write where you got the information. You need to write a description under each chart and graph in your own words. You also need write one or two paragraphs that summarize the information you find about immigration.
The Historian
Trace the history of immigration in the United States. Begin with the first settlers from England up to today. Show how immigration patterns and trends have changed (or remained the same) over the years. You may want to create a timeline. Include some descriptions of immigrant life and culture as well as dates and numbers. Turn in an outline or timeline that shows the important events and changes in immigration over time. Write everything in your own words!
The Features Editor
What is life like for an immigrant today? Do some Internet research on general information about immigrant life today. Find two or more real (not virtual) immigrants and interview them. Design your questions to give your readers an interesting and informative depiction of everyday life and issues for the person/people you interview. Turn in the questions and answers for each interview. Also, write two to three paragraphs reflecting on what you learned and what you think about immigrant life today.
The Photojournalist
Find photos on the Internet (or take your own and scan them in!) to supplement the work of the Features Editor and the News Editor. Obviously you will need to meet with them to discuss their projects. Write a description of the photos and what they say about immigration in your own words under each picture. Also write short summary of what your pictures show us about immigration.
3. Do the research and collect the information for your role. Try these websites for useful information for your role.
NPR: American’s Views on Immigration
Long List of Links to Sites about Immigration
My Green Card: Opinions and Information about Immigration
National Conference of State legislators Immigration Policy
There are many more resources on the Internet related to immigration. Go to or your favorite search engine to find more information.
4. Put your information into the form explained above for your part. Everything must be in your own words!!! Do NOT copy and paste from the Internet! Bring your information to class. It must be typed. Share your research and work with your group.
5. Be prepared to explain your work to the rest of the class and answer questions about it. Be interesting!