University of Arizona
Pulse: Fertilizers, Pesticides and Human Health
A cross-curricular unit to explore how human health is impacted by pesticides and fertilizers. The lesson comes out of the Chicano movement which studies the health of migrant workers due to agricultural practices. The unit was developed...
The Best Notes
The Best Notes: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
This is an online study guide for the novel The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck including author information, literary elements, chapter-by-chapter summaries/notes, study questions, and analysis.
PBS
News Hour: Mexicans React to Immigration Crisis in u.s. (2006)
Fascinating look at the Mexican viewpoint of the immigration debate in the United States. Transcript, audio, and video of this July, 2006, report available.
Other
California Department of Education: Cesar E. Chavez Middle School Biography
Complete biographical sketch of Cesar Chavez, founder of the United Farm Worker's (UFW) in 1962. Provides a detailed discussion of his early life, his family, and his work with labor issues.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Latino Movement
Section overview on the Latino Movement in which Hispanic Americans pushed for civil rights in post World War II America.
SparkNotes
Spark Notes: Social Trends of the 1950s
Spark Notes gives a brief overview of the 1950s from consumerism and conformity to poverty to youthful rebellion. A good review of this important decade in American history.
USA Today
Usa Today: States Try to Block Illegal Workers
Article covers the continued controversy surrounding illegal immigration. The debate has moved to the states as over 30 states have now enacted laws to crack down on illegal immigration. July, 2006.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Work Abroad
In this video segment from Wide Angle, Mary, a college educated Zimbabwean migrant, describes her life and work in Botswana.
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: "Of Mice and Men" Teacher Guide [Pdf]
Six-page guide covering pre-reading tips, plot, characters, symbols, setting, and post-reading activities. This is a .pdf file.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Others Demand Equality
Many other groups learned how to push for their civil rights from African Americans' civil rights movement. Read about the Mexican Americans, Native Americans, and gays as they worked to achieve equal treatment under the law.
Read Works
Read Works: How Dorothea Lange and John Steinbeck Captured California
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about how photographer Dorothea Lange and author John Steinbeck portrayed life in California in the late 1930's. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in...
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Sfmoma: From Snapshots to Documentary
A close examination of the work of Dorothea Lange, especially as it relates to her ability to tell a story well.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Dorothea Lange
This website reports on the life of Dorothea Lange (1895-1965 CE). The photographs are engaging. They illustrate the power of the Great Depression.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Grapes of Wrath: Voices From the Great Depression
By examining primary sources, including songs, newspapers, interviews, and photographs of migrant farm workers in California during the Great Depression, students create a scrapbook from the point of view of a migrant worker, providing...
Digital History
Digital History: Mexican Americans
Read about the terrible treatment of Mexican American citizens and immigrants during the Hoover presidency. See how they received some help with the New Deal.
The History Place
The History Place: Dorothea Lange: Migrant Farm Families
Learn about the history of migrant workers in America by viewing the work of Dorothea Lange, one of the most famous photographers of the Great Depression.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Mexican Migrant Workers in the 20th Century" by Jessica Mc Birney
A learning module that begins with "Mexican Migrant Workers in the 20th Century" by Jessica McBirney, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Memories of a Former Migrant Worker
A learning module that begins with "Memories of a Former Migrant Worker" by Felix Contreras, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
Other
Star Rise Creations: Cesar Chavez Biography
This site provides a biography of Cesar Chavez who is known for fighting for decent wages for the migrant farm workers during the 1960s and 1970s.
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Labor in America
A rich collection of resources, including primary sources, student activities, and lesson plans, to support study of Americans at work in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Primary Source Set Dust Bowl Migration
Set of primary documents, photos, audio and sheet music having to do with the movement of homeless families during the Great Depression. Teaching guide included.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Memories of a Former Migrant Worker" by Felix Contreras
In this interview, Felix Contreras asks his father about his experiences as a former migrant worker. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary notes are provided. This site offers links to paired texts, questions and answers, an...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Book Pairings: "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
Selected (7) reading passages (grades 9-11) to pair with the novel "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck. George and Lennie are two migrant workers trying to stay employed and out of trouble. Their dream of having their own farm may be...
CommonLit
Common Lit: "The Circuit: Stories From the Life of a Migrant Child" by F. Jimenez
A collection of autobiographical short stories about a boy whose family moves from America to Mexico where they become migrant workers. Selected (6) reading passages (grades 5-8) to pair with "The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a...