Topic
This lesson is the first of three interrelated lessons in a unit which use both literary and informational text, and fine arts (photography and paintings) to convey the theme(s) of immigration, shared American ideals, and civic responsibilities in a democracy. The first lesson asks students to analyze “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus. Students’ understanding of text and earlier waves of immigration will be fostered by viewing photographs of immigrants to Ellis Island. The lesson plan can be found at https://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourceLesson/Preview/47372.
Grade Level
Ninth Grade – English Language Arts
Brief Description of the Collection
This virtual curated collection serves to help ninth grade students at University High School understand the context of the first part of their English Language Arts assignment on exploring immigration and America through poetry and photography. Resources provided in this collection include:
- Primary sources like a manuscript written by Emma Lazarus, video and photographs of immigrants at Ellis Island;
- Access to Emma Lazarus’s “The New Colossus” poem plus contemporary poetry about immigrants;
- Tools to facilitate close readings of poetry and primary source analysis;
- Background and discussion of acclaimed poet Emma Lazarus; and
- Historical information about Ellis Island, the Statute of Liberty, immigration, and American democracy in the Gilded Age.
