David,

We do a full immersion immigration program.  As a previsit, classes fill out
a manifest form and assume a "character" coming to America.  When they
arrive at the museum (as if they are stepping off the boat at Ellis Island),
they are met by an immigration officer (a costumed museum theatre
interpreter) and then are put through a mock physical and legal examination.
 The experience culminates with first person retellings of the stories of
the major immigrant groups to our area.

I have a book list and sample activities that I would be happy to share if
you want to contact me off list.

For this experience, it is a great way for the students to experience the
fears and unknown of our country's immigrants.  I think one of the great
activities and things to stress is the fact that you could only bring
limited items with you.  In our material age, what would you bring if
limited to x number of items?  What things would be most important to you
and most necessary.  (Note: This activity is also wonderful in thinking
about westward expansion.

Christina
Christina M. Myatt
Theatrical Programming Coordinator
Putnam Museum
1717 West 12th Street
Davenport IA 52804
563.324.1054 ext. 207 (phone)
[log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: David Lynx <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2004 16:03:09 -0700
Subject: Teaching about Immigration

> I am partnering with a local school next year to develop a lesson
> plan
> around immigration. The students will work on a final project about
> an
> ancestor in their past, or one chosen from a list.
>
> I was wondering what other educators have done this, and if there are
> videos/books etc on helping students to understand and research
> immigration.
>
> Thanks
> David Lynx, Curator or Education
> Yakima Valley Museum
>
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