This collection uses primary sources to explore Puerto Rican migration to the US. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

A Refugee in Puerto Rico, 1942; Claude Lévi-Strauss and the burden of our personal archives.

In this unit, students begin to explore the complexity of immigration and immigrant rights by reading the core text Return to Sender. Through the eyes of two children, Return to Sender highlights the challenges of life for Mexican laborers in Vermont and the way in which stereotypes about undocumented workers are formed. Through the eyes of Tyler, the farm owner's son, students witness the internal struggle surrounding what makes something right or wrong, particularly in regard to if the family should hire undocumented workers even though without them the beloved family farm would need to be sold. They also see how the stereotypes Tyler believes about Mexican workers are broken down through his relationships with the Cruz family. Through the eyes of Mari, the daughter of an undocumented worker, students witness the daily challenges and barriers undocumented workers face in the fight for a better life and future. As Tyler and Mari develop a friendship, readers are pushed to think critically about the arguments on both sides of the debate surrounding Mexican and other laborers in Vermont, and the way in which friendships across lines of diffference can help dismantle stereotypes.

It is important to note that the scope of this unit is intentionally narrow. Immigration, particularly undocumented immigration, is an incredibly complex issue. This unit serves as an entry point. It is our hope that this unit begins to humanize a controversial topic and inspires students to question things beyond their own world and fight for their own view of what is right. To build a deeper understanding of the nuances and history of migrant workers in the United States, we recommend that this unit is paired with the social studies unit on Cesar Chavez and the migrant workers' fight for justice and equity.

This collection uses primary sources to explore settlement houses during the Progressive Era. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

Students will review the immigration data set and draw conclusions regarding changes in immigration from the 1800s to the early 1900s. Some students may find it easier to compare two decades while others may be able to compare ranges of decades from each century. Once conclusions about changes in immigration have been made, students should identify the reason for the change.

Students will review the immigration data set and draw conclusions regarding changes in immigration from the 1800s to the early 1900s. Some students may find it easier to compare two decades while others may be able to compare ranges of decades from each century. Once conclusions about changes in immigration have been made, students should identify the reason for the change.
Students will review the immigration data set and be able to identify where in the world most immigrants came from during specific time periods in history.

Students will review the immigration data set and draw conclusions regarding changes in immigration from the 1800s to the early 1900s. Some students may find it easier to compare two decades while others may be able to compare ranges of decades from each century. Once conclusions about changes in immigration have been made, students should identify the reason for the change.
Students will review the immigration data set and be able to identify where in the world most immigrants came from during specific time periods in history.

Students will review the immigration data set and draw conclusions regarding changes in immigration from the 1800s to the early 1900s. Some students may find it easier to compare two decades while others may be able to compare ranges of decades from each century. Once conclusions about changes in immigration have been made, students should identify the reason for the change.

Remixed to add a few guided questions as conversation starters?

As 3rd grade students have been learning about History SOL 3.13 - this lesson integrates the content that American people have different ethnic origins and come from different countries (immigration) as well as the reading strategy of reading the author’s words and determining whether the information is directly stated (right there) or inferred based on clues from the author’s words.

This collection uses primary sources to explore Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.