Tag Archives: immigration

Lesson Plan for Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood by Richard Rodriguez

By Becs Richert

Download the full lesson as PDF. 

Get the related handouts: Spanish/English Activity | Quote Significance Activity | Phases Chart | Integration Definition Handout

Course | English Language Arts 9–12 

Context | This lesson is designed to be used in a unit on immigrant experiences or integration of peoples, but it can easily be adapted for general discussions on characterization and character changes in a story.

Today in History: Ellis Island closes in 1954

On November 12, 1954, Ellis Island, gateway to America for more than 12 million immigrants, closed permanently. An estimated 40 percent of American citizens can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island, the first federal immigration center.

30Days30Poets: Emma Lazarus’ “The New Colossus”

Born in New York City, Emma Lazarus (1849–87) was one of the first prominent Jewish American poets. She is most famous for her 1883 sonnet, “The New Colossus,” which describes the hope of immigrants looking for a new life in the United States. After her death, in 1902, excerpts from the poem were inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, immortalizing Lazarus’ contribution to American literature.