Teaching Themes

Immigration: Everything You Need

Students learn about the effects of immigration on American history and culture with a variety of resources for each grade level.

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Hannah's Journal Lesson Plan

Grades: 3–5

Students practice journal writing and learn about the immigrant experience in this lesson plan based on Hannah's Journal: The Story of an...

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Dreams in the Golden Country Discussion Guide

Grades: 3–5

A discussion guide to Dreams in the Golden Country: The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, A Jewish Immigrant Girl, New York City, 1903 in the Dear...

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Grandfather's Journey Extension Activities

Grades: 3–5

The author's grandfather left Japan for California, and eventually returned to Japan with his family. When his grandfather dies, the author, who...

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Grandfather's Journey

Grades: 3–5

Presents a story of a cross-cultural family and recommends related activities utilizing social studies, language arts, and math skills.

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First Person Fiction: Finding My Hat Booktalk

Grades: 6–8

This is my story: losing my hat, looking for my hat, finding my hat. But it isn't really about hats at all. It's about how I figured out who I am...

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Esperanza Rising Text Excerpt

Grades: 3–5, 6–8

This is a text excerpt of Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan

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Esperanza Rising Lesson Plan

Grades: 6–8

Students will provide examples from the text to illustrate a theme of the book through character analysis.

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Esperanza Rising Author's Notes

Grades: 3–5, 6–8

When Esperanza and Mama are forced to flee to the bountiful region of Aguascalientes, Mexico, to a Mexican farm labor camp in California, they...

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Esperanza Rising Booktalk

Grades: 6–8

Esperanza means hope, and hope is what Esperanza needs, to help her rise above the wreckage of her life in Mexico, and learn to survive in the...

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Breaking Through Author's Note

Grades: 3–5, 6–8

"Breaking Through, the sequel to The Circuit, is autobiographical. It spans crucial years of my young adult life...". Francisco Jimenez discusses...

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Discussion Guide to the Novels of Pam Muñoz Ryan

Grades: 6–8

Pam Muñoz Ryan draws on the rich cultural heritage of her family background, as well as important segments of American history, to create...

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One Eye Laughing, the Other Weeping Booktalk

Grades: 6–8

My twelfth birthday was the last one I celebrated with my parents. It was 1938, and I was a Jew in Vienna.

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One Eye Laughing, The Other Weeping Discussion Guide

Grades: 6–8

A discussion guide to One Eye Laughing, the Other Weeping: The Diary of Julie Weiss, Vienna, Austria to New York, 1938 by Barry Denenberg in the...

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The Circuit Discussion Guide

Grades: 6–8

Discussion guide for The Circuit, a book of stories, by Francisco Jimenez.

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So Far From Home Discussion Guide

Grades: 6–8

A discussion guide to So Far from Home: The Diary of Mary Driscoll, an Irish Mill Girl, Lowell, MA, 1847 in the Dear America historical fiction...

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Books for Teaching About Cultural Diversity

Grades: 3–5

Teacher created book list that focuses on how people from cultures all around the world have come together as Americans.

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Books for Teaching About Immigration

Grades: 1–2, 3–5

Provides a list of books for teaching about immigration. Includes classroom tips for using each book.

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Books About Time Travel

Grades: 9–12

This teacher created book list includes tips for classroom use.

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Immigration Resources

Grades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5, 6–8

Books & Teaching KitsIsland of Hope: The Story of Ellis Island and the Journey to America, by Martin W. Sa

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Getting Ready for a Virtual Field Trip

Grades: 3–5, 6–8

How do you prepare for a virtual field trip? Click through for quick tips for making the most of a live Webcast or virtual trip.

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