Curated OER
The New York City Draft Riots: A Role Play
This is a fun, thought-provoking lesson. Learners use census data from 1855, primary source documents, their historical knowledge, and information regarding the New York City Draft Riots of 1863 to construct and engage in a role-play....
Curated OER
Exploring the Irish in America Through Found Poetry
What was life like for Irish immigrants settling in America during the late 1800's? Learners examine primary source documents, such as lyrics, poems, and letters, to understand the immigrant experience. They then use those primary source...
Curated OER
Reformers versus Residents in Five Points: A Role Play
Social Studies and role-playing can go hand in hand. Learners use supporting evidence found in primary and secondary source material to develop a character from the Five Points neighborhood in the 1850s. Each student takes on the role of...
Curated OER
Neighborhood or Slum? Snapshots of Five Points: 1827-1867
How has your local neighborhood changed throughout recent history? Young researchers evaluate census data, images, and primary source descriptions describing the living situation in the antebellum Five Points neighborhood. They consider...
Curated OER
Understanding the 1855 Census Database
Use data from the 1855 New York census to better understand the Irish immigrant experience during the late 19th century. Young historians analyze information from the census and build three hypotheses regarding the residents of the Five...
Curated OER
Irish-Americans: Work and Song
Students explore Irish-American culture. In this immigration lesson, students watch video segments regarding immigration in the 1840's and 1850's. Students discuss the discrimination Irish-Americans faced as they listen to songs and...
Curated OER
Resources in the New World
In this social studies worksheet, students imagine how it would feel for an Irish immigrant to arrive in the New World to begin a new life. Students brainstorm a list of things they would need, and where they would find or purchase them....
Curated OER
German and Irish Immigrants in Antebellum America
Students research how immigration changed the lives of Americans during 1850-1860. They study immigrant communities in rural America and research Irish and German-born residents of Augusta County, Virginia and Franklin County,...
Curated OER
Germans and Irish in Augusta and Franklin Counties
Students examine 19th century newspapers, a last and testament, and census manuscripts to analyze the Irish and German immigrant communities in the 1850s and 1860s. They write a letter from the perspective of an Irish or German immigrant.
Curated OER
Irish-Americans: Work and Song
Students research the experience of Irish immigrants who helped build the railroad systems of the United States. They analyze primary source documents, take notes, and create an artistic piece.
BBC
Bbc: Immigrants and Exiles
Using historical important documents students look at the experiences of those from Ireland and Scotland who immigrated to other countries. Archived.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Population Perils: The Potato Famine and Irish Immigration to America
Activity on the plight of the Irish immigrant in America during the potato famine. Through a combination of class discussion and role play, students gain an understanding of the reasons people sought to immigrate to America.
Cleveland State University
Cleveland Memory Project: Irish Americans of Cleveland
Explore the influence of Irish Americans on the history and development of Cleveland with images, artifacts, and remembrances. Links to information about Irish Americans today.
Harp Week
The Presidential Elections: 1884 Cleveland v. Blaine: Cartoons
Political cartoons add a great deal of context to events. These cartoons from Harper's Weekly, covering the election of 1884, are organized by topic ranging from the Republican and Democratic nominations, to cartoons about the issues, to...
Other
Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Poor Pat Must Immigrate
Cross-curricular plan for lessons on the immigration of the Irish to America in the 1800s. Source material includes ballads of the immigrant experience, letters, scrapbook pages and notices to the 'Catholic Herald' seeking information...
Library of Congress
Loc: Faces of America: Immigration: Irish
All you ever wanted to know about Irish immigration in America. Features an impressive timeline, great photos, maps, and original documents. Use the topics at the bottom of the page to navigate the site.
University of Maryland
Umbc Center for History Education: Reshaping American Society
Using this history lab, students will examine the impact immigration had on urbanization and the reform movements of the time, as well as the addressing the backlash to immigration by understanding nativism.
Library of Congress
Loc: Celtic Roots, Stories, Songs and Traditions
View a webcast of the program put on by the Library of Congress about Irish immigrants. Program includes Irish music, storytelling and poetry.
Digital History
Digital History: Immigration Begins
The United States has always been a melting pot. Read about the vast increase in immigration from countries in northern Europe in the 1830s and 1840s due to famine, eviction from land, and political unrest. See where various immigrant...
White Pine Pictures
White Pine Pictures: The Force of Hope: The Legacy of Father Mc Gauran
The Irish Potato Famine of 1847 brought thousands of Irish immigrants to Canada. A large number of them died of typhus and cholera en route or after arriving at the quarantine station on Grosse Isle in Quebec. Father Bernard McGauran was...
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Irish Immigrants in 19th Century America
Here, you will find lesson plans through which students research, study, and discuss the problems faced by Irish immigrants during the 19th century. Provides bibliographies, as well as effective strategies for studying Irish culture and...
Other
Understanding Race: The Famine and the Irish Race: 1840s 1890s
Article discusses how the Industrial Revolution in Europe and the potato famine in Ireland brought millions of people to the U.S. and highlights some of the impacts of immigration during this time.
Other
Oral History Digital Collection
First-person narratives of northeastern Ohioans who have participated in, or closely observed events which have significantly affected both the state and nation.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: St. Patrick's Day
Who was St. Patrick and why do we celebrate this holiday? The Library of Congress has background information and photos to help tell the story of St. Patrick's Day.