The recent debates about immigration reform have inspired a lesson plan designed to help students understand the issue from different points of view.
The two-part lesson from PBS’s Online NewsHour provides materials to help students analyze facts and statistics about immigration in the United States. Students are then asked to use handouts to research different groups’ points of view on immigration, and to present role-play demonstrations based on what they’ve learned.
Browse the lesson on immigration reform from NewsHour Extra.
In a final activity, after studying information on immigration laws and reform proposals, students are to write a persuasive essay or letter to the editor outlining what they believe should be done about the issue.
According to the author, the lesson plan meets national standards in U.S. history, civics, language arts, and listening and speaking. It is intended to take three 90-minute or five 50-minute class periods.
