For my final make, I want my students to explore issues of immigration, stereotypes, and diversity. In the end, I hope that we are able to piece together a publication of their thoughts and findings. Here, I list several places where I think we could begin our investigation of this topic.
- The crisis in Syria has really interested my ELLs. I know that it is something they can sympathize with in ways that many of us cannot, and I know that it is a topic around many of their dinner tables. NPR’s Sryia webpage has many podcasts and articles surrounding this subject, including one about basketball.
- ImmigrationPolicy.com is a fabulous resource for anyone looking to get the real facts about immigration policy, citizenship, and the DREAM Act. You can also sign-up for weekly e-mails about civic action issues happening currently.
- Immigration Impact is maintained by the American Immigration Council. In addition to being a resource on immigration law, it also includes a blogroll of other blogs on similar topics.
- MyImmigrationStory is a WordPress blog that allows readers to share their own immigration stories. This would a perfect way to begin the project, and I especially love that the site provides an immediate, authentic audience for my students’ writing.
- Made Into America is another platform for immigration stories. The site also gives students directions on how to write, video, and publish their own. The feature that interests me the most is their tab of lesson plans and resources that I think could be great springboard activities to help students begin their own investigations.
- Finally, I’d like to end on a good note by sharing this article on Utah’s welcoming policies for refugees. In an increasingly hostile climate, it is good to hear of communities like those across Utah.