Underground America presents the remarkable oral histories of men and women struggling to carve a life for themselves after immigrating to the U.S., with little protection from exploitation at the hands of human smugglers, employers, or law enforcement. Using these narratives as a foundation, these lesson plans help students explore aspects of the “American Dream,” myths and facts about immigration, and encourage students to develop their own responses to this human rights issue. Students will engage with the following questions:
- How do personal narratives humanize facts, figures, and statistics about immigration? Who needs to hear these stories and why?
- How does past history of U.S. immigration and immigration policy connect to the present moment? What are the social, cultural, and historical forces that impact the recurring events and issues in U.S. immigration?
Grades: High school
Time Needed: Entire curriculum covers approximately 4 weeks of class time. However, each lesson can be taught separately.
Objectives:
- Students will identify significant themes in personal narratives about immigration, including evidence that supports their opinion.
- Students will use analytical, research, and speaking and listening skills to connect past and current events in U.S. immigration history.
- Students will use critical thinking, creative writing, and discussion to respond to immigration issues through first-person narratives.
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This book fills a gap in our understanding of the issue by humanizing the people at the center of an otherwise cold debate.
Chris Ying
for the Huffington Post
About the Oral Histories
Immigrants arrive from around the world for countless reasons. Many come simply to make a living. Others are fleeing persecution in their native countries. Millions of immigrants risk deportation and imprisonment by living in the U.S. without legal status. They are living underground, with little protection from exploitation at the hands of human smugglers, employers, or law enforcement. Underground America, the third book in the Voice of Witness series, presents the remarkable oral histories of men and women struggling to carve a life for themselves in the U.S.
