Coming
to America
Purpose:
The purpose of the program is to develop research skills, writing skills,
and word processing skills, to develop concepts related to United States immigration, and
to cultivate an appreciation for the diversity of the community. The topic of United States immigration was chosen as an activity that articulates with the fourth grade social studies
curriculum for United States history, and the study of various people who immigrated to the United
States.
Standards:
This activity follows the New York City performance standards
for English Language Arts by fostering:
- reading to comprehend informational materials;
- producing a report of information;
- producing a response to literature;
- producing a narrative account;
- preparing and delivering an individual
presentation;
- demonstrating a basic understanding of the rules of the English language in written
work;
- analyzing and revising work to improve its clarity and
effectiveness; and
- responding to non-fiction using interpretive and critical
processes.
In
addition, students will meet mathematics and technology standards by:
- collecting and organizing data to answer
a question or test a hypothesis by comparing sets of data;
- displaying data in line plots, graphs,
tables, and charts;
- making statements and drawing simple
conclusions based on data.
What
you need:
Internet connection, Student Writing Center,
KidPix, ClarisWorks, HyperStudio, If Your Name Was Changed At Ellis
Island CD-Rom, Grolier's Multimedia Encyclopedia CD-Rom
The students:
This unit is suitable for fourth graders of average ability.
Many of the students are second language learners. Research skills and word processing skills will be reinforced during the
unit.
Overall
value:
This unit is highly motivational
in two respects: the students will be finding our about their own heritage and
the struggles of their ancestors, and they will be using multimedia
materials.
Tips
for teachers:
If it is not possible to get the CD, If Your Name Was Changed At Ellis
Island, by Scholastic, there are many web sites available with photos and related
information. |
Carolyn Hornik has been a New York City public school teacher for twenty five years (12 years as a classroom teacher in third, fourth, and fifth grades and 13 years as a technology coordinator.)
She teaches in-service courses for the New York City Board of Education After School Professional Development Program and on-line courses for new teachers through
Teachers Network.
Chornik@aol.com
Estimated Class Periods To Complete: 10
or more
Subject: English, Social Studies
Beginning Grade Level: 4
Ending Grade Level: 8
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