The Immigration Today WebQuest

Links &Credits
Teaching Tips
Suzanne Hovanesian

Introduction

The Great Immigration Debate
 

  "...The ones who come here are usually the most stupid of their nation...They are not used to freedom and do not know how to use it properly ... Unless the stream of these people can be turned away from their country to other countries, they will soon outnumber us so that we will not be able to save our language or our government." -Benjamin Franklin

The above quote and graphic are from http://education.indiana.edu/cas/tt/v2i2/they.html

"Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life. "--John F. Kennedy

"Americans are not a narrow tribe. Our blood is as the flood of the Amazon, made up of a thousand noble currents all pouring into one." -- Herman Melville

Today, as always in American history, there is a great national debate on the subject of immigration, with equally passionate voices arguing on either side of the issue. In this project you will be exploring the actual statistics (facts and figures), the political and economic implications as presented by both sides, as well as presenting some real stories of immigrants today. Thus as a team, you will be able to explore this important issue from a variety of perspectives and levels.

The Task
You and your team members are a staff of editors on your local newspaper on a special assignment. Your newspaper is devoting an entire series to Immigration in America Today (you can come up with a better title, I'm sure). The series will examine a variety of aspects and perspectives on this issue. Finally, after individual team members compile their reports you will meet again to go over your findings and collaborate to write an opinion piece for the Editorial page.

Ultimately, you will be defining the debate and present various aspects of immigration today in order to better inform your public. As an editorial staff, you will also present your opinions on the editorial page. Some questions to think about:


The Process

Brainstorming Session
Read the following questions and discuss them with your group. Have someone take notes on your ideas.

The Project
Choose one of the roles. Surf the links provided, and collect any information (text and/or graphics) to create your product, a HyperStudio or Web-based multi-media newspaper.

The News Editor
Summarize some current hot issues in the news relating to immigration. The news editor will also oversee the final product
The Statistician
Get the facts and figures behind immigration today.
The Political Correspondent from Washington
Define the current debate over immigration reform. What are the arguments pro and con? What's the view from the Hill and the White House?
The Features Editor
What is life like for an immigrant today? Choose members of at least one immigrant or refugee group. Find at least one real (not virtual) person and interview them. Design your questions to give your readers an interesting and informative depiction of their everyday life and issues.
The Photojournalist
Find photos on the Internet (or take your own and scan them in!) to supplement the work of the Features Editor and the News Editor. Obviously you will need to meet with them to discuss their projects. Also, collect some interesting images of your own to present in a photojournal format.
 
Final Product + Editorial Page
Finally, you will all meet back as a group, compile your findings (text and graphics) into a HyperStudio stack (click here to download a template stack) or, if you prefer, HTML-based news report. As your last task you will each compose an editorial piece expressing your own opinions on the issues you explored. Include these in your news report as your editorial page. (Don't be afraid to disagree with your group members!)

Advice

You will find that your series will flow together better if some of you collaborate on aspects of your reports. For example, the News Editor might use the Statistician or the Photojournalist as a resource to support his/her report. Also it would be a good idea to browse links other than those recommended for your job. Much of these resources do overlap!

The Photojournalist might find that there is not exactly an abundance of photographic material online on immigrant subjects. So in addition to related graphic material, you should really consider taking your own photos and/or doing your own artwork and scanning it in. Remember: always ask permission before taking photos of people!!!
When writing your editorials, go back to the questions posed in the beginning of this project description. What do you think about the issues now?

Conclusion
Unless you are a Native American, you yourself, or some generation before you are immigrants. Most African Americans are the descendants of abducted and enslaved Africans, a massive forced migration. In spite of the fact that immigration (and multiculturalism) is a fundamental characteristic of this nation, it has been the source of much debate and discord. It seems immigration has always presented a dilemma for America's continuing search for identity. It is, therefore, an issue of great importance to all of us, as individuals and as a society. Through doing this assignment you have now acquired much more knowledge about the issues, the stories and the facts behind the immigration debate. You also have had a chance to form your own opinions and write about them. As a member of this society you have the right (and the responsibility) to express your beliefs. How will you exercise your rights?

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