Theme: Immigration
Immigration
Feb. 26, 1931: La Placita Raid
Immigration agents raided La Placita Park where they arrested and deported dozens of Mexican Americans.
Continue reading
April 10, 2006: Immigrants’ Rights Protests Peak
During a Spring filled with pro-immigrant activism, on this day the largest number of people gathered in over 100 cities in the United States to protest new anti-immigrant legislation.
Continue reading
One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps
Book — Non-fiction. By Andrea Pitzer. 2017. 480 pages.
Starting with 1890s Cuba, this book is a chronological and geopolitical history of concentration camps that is filled with prisoner perspectives.
Continue reading
Starting with 1890s Cuba, this book is a chronological and geopolitical history of concentration camps that is filled with prisoner perspectives.
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
Book — Non-fiction. By Ibram X. Kendi. 2016. 608 pages.
This book chronicles the origins and growth of anti-Black racist ideas, and their power, over the course of U.S. history.
Continue reading
This book chronicles the origins and growth of anti-Black racist ideas, and their power, over the course of U.S. history.
Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream
Book — Non-fiction. By Blair Imani. 2020. 192 pages.
An illustrated chronicle of the Great Migration and African American history in the 20th century.
Continue reading
An illustrated chronicle of the Great Migration and African American history in the 20th century.
May 23, 1914: Indian Migrants on the Komagata Maru Denied Entry Into Canada
Nearly 400 South Asian immigrants — many of whom were Sikh — steamed into Vancouver’s harbor on the Japanese ship Komagata Maru in search of a new home, but were blocked from docking and disembarking due to racist immigration policies.
Continue reading
No Option Except Escape: A Role Play on the Struggles of Climate Refugees
Teaching Activity. By World Oregon's Young Leaders in Action.
In this role-play, students explore the challenges and perspectives of people — climate refugees — who have "no option except escape" from homes devastated by climate change.
Continue reading
In this role-play, students explore the challenges and perspectives of people — climate refugees — who have "no option except escape" from homes devastated by climate change.
Caribbean Connections: Moving North
Teaching Guide. Edited by Catherine Sunshine and Keith Warner. 2005. 240 pages.
Literature and essays about Caribbean life in the United States.
Continue reading
Literature and essays about Caribbean life in the United States.
Servitude and Rebellion
Teaching Activity. By Gayle Olsen-Raymer. 15 pages.
Questions and teaching ideas for Chapter 3 of Voices of a People's History of the United States on the role and dissent of indentured servants in American colonial history.
Continue reading
Questions and teaching ideas for Chapter 3 of Voices of a People's History of the United States on the role and dissent of indentured servants in American colonial history.
One Country! One Language! One Flag!
Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow. Rethinking Schools. 3 pages.
Discussion questions and teaching ideas for examining the history of the Pledge of Allegiance and the political milieu in which it was written.
Continue reading
Discussion questions and teaching ideas for examining the history of the Pledge of Allegiance and the political milieu in which it was written.
Lewis Hine’s Photographs
Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson. Rethinking Schools. 4 pages.
Using photographs to spark creative writing and critical thinking about child labor issues and social justice.
Continue reading
Using photographs to spark creative writing and critical thinking about child labor issues and social justice.
Socialists and Wobblies
Teaching Activity. By Gayle Olson-Raymer. 17 pages.
Questions and teaching ideas for Chapter 13 of Voices of a People's History of the United States on the labor movement at the turn of the century.
Continue reading
Questions and teaching ideas for Chapter 13 of Voices of a People's History of the United States on the labor movement at the turn of the century.
A Boy from Ireland
Book — Fiction. By Marie Raphael. 2007. 217 pages.
Historical fiction about the life of the Irish in New York City at the beginning of the 20th century for ages 12+.
Continue reading
Historical fiction about the life of the Irish in New York City at the beginning of the 20th century for ages 12+.
Caribbean Connections: The Dominican Republic
Book — Non-fiction and Fiction. Edited by Gallin, Glasser, Santana. 2005. 250 pages.
Reader-friendly overview of the history, politics, and culture of the fourth largest Latino community in the United States.
Continue reading
Reader-friendly overview of the history, politics, and culture of the fourth largest Latino community in the United States.
A Young People’s History of the United States: Revised and Updated
Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff with additions by Ed Morales. 2022. 544 pages.
A young adult version of the best-selling A People’s History of the United States, ideal for 6th through 9th grade students.
Continue reading
A young adult version of the best-selling A People’s History of the United States, ideal for 6th through 9th grade students.
A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America
Book — Non-fiction. By Ronald Takaki, with a foreword by Clint Smith. 2023. 576 pages.
A multicultural history of the United States, in the voices of Indigenous people, African Americans, Jews, Irish Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and others.
Continue reading
A multicultural history of the United States, in the voices of Indigenous people, African Americans, Jews, Irish Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and others.
500 Years of Chicana Women’s History
Book — Non-fiction. By Elizabeth Martinez. 2007. 899 illustrations.
Stories and photos of Chicana/Mexican-American women in politics, labor, art, health, and more.
Continue reading
Stories and photos of Chicana/Mexican-American women in politics, labor, art, health, and more.
The Draft Riot Mystery
Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow. 9 pages.
Students are invited to solve a mystery, using historical clues, about the real story of the Draft Riots.
Continue reading
Students are invited to solve a mystery, using historical clues, about the real story of the Draft Riots.
The Line Between Us: Teaching About the Border and Mexican Immigration
Teaching Guide. By Bill Bigelow. 2006. 160 pages. Rethinking Schools.
Lessons for teaching about the history of U.S.–Mexico relations and current border and immigration issues.
Continue reading
Lessons for teaching about the history of U.S.–Mexico relations and current border and immigration issues.
Lawrence, 1912: The Singing Strike
Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow and Norm Diamond.
Role play on the 1912 Bread and Roses strike in Lawrence, Mass.
Continue reading
Role play on the 1912 Bread and Roses strike in Lawrence, Mass.
A People’s History of the American Revolution: How Common People Shaped the Fight for Independence
Book — Non-fiction. By Ray Raphael. Series editor: Howard Zinn. 2002. 528 pages.
Using hundreds of primary sources, this book tells the more accurate, populist, complicated, and interesting story of the American Revolution.
Continue reading
Using hundreds of primary sources, this book tells the more accurate, populist, complicated, and interesting story of the American Revolution.
500 Años del Pueblo Chicano – 500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures
Book — Non-fiction. By Elizabeth Martinez. 1991 (2nd Edition).
Chicano history as told through hundreds of pictures and bilingual text.
Continue reading
Chicano history as told through hundreds of pictures and bilingual text.
Behind the Mountains
Book — Fiction. By Edwidge Danticat. 2004. 192 pages.
A riveting novel detailing the struggles of a young Haitian girl as she adjusts to life in New York.
Continue reading
A riveting novel detailing the struggles of a young Haitian girl as she adjusts to life in New York.
Testing, Tracking, and Toeing the Line: A Role Play on the Origins of the Modern High School
Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow. Rethinking Schools. 13 pages.
A role play on the origins of the modern high school allows students to question aspects of schooling they often take for granted, such as tracking (“ability grouping”) and standardized testing — and to reflect on the racial biases of these so-called reforms.
Continue reading
A role play on the origins of the modern high school allows students to question aspects of schooling they often take for granted, such as tracking (“ability grouping”) and standardized testing — and to reflect on the racial biases of these so-called reforms.