+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration Unit

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Molly's Pilgrim

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the multi-ethnic nature of America's citizens and examine the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. In this Molly's Pilgrim lesson, 3rd graders discuss the poem "The New Colossus," examine vocabulary words in the...
+
Interactive
DocsTeach

U.S. Policy and the Holocaust Refugee Crisis

For Teachers 10th - 12th
How did the United States respond to the Holocaust refugee crisis during World War II? The activity focuses on the United States' foreign policies and the arguments for and against offering assistance. Scholars analyze historical...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Gershwin

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the life and accomplishments of George Gershwin. They listen to Latin rhythms and practice the rhythmic parts. Students identify Latin instruments George Gershwin added to the orchestra. After practice, they perform a...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Golda Meir: Israeli Political Leader

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars complete readings and mini-lectures to explore the life of Golda Meir, Israeli leader. They study her biography, discuss their research, write response journals and compare her government with its US counterpart.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedom from Oppression

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate instances of genocide and role play as reporters writing news stories and editorials.
+
Handout
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: 20th Cent: The American Jewish Experience: Antisemitism and Assimilation

For Students 9th - 10th
This essay from the National Humanities Center tracks Jewish immigrants in America, discusses antisemitism and assimilation experiences through the twentieth century. Includes a guide for student discussion and online resources.
+
Unit Plan
The History Cat

The History Cat: History Trekker: Ellis Island: An Immigrant Story

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the difficult life of Jews in Russia under Czar Alexander III, one where they faced discrimination and Jewish communities were attacked when pogroms took place. Follow along as a Russian Jew travels to America and is processed...
+
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: City of Immigrants

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Players navigate New York's Lower East Side as Lena, a young Jewish immigrant from Russia who is trying to save money to bring her parents to America. She works long hours in a factory for little money and gets caught up in the growing...
+
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Immigration: Polish/russian

For Students 9th - 10th
A chronicle of Russian and other ethnic immigrants from the Russian empire. Information on their struggles, persecution and achievements in their chosen new land, America.
+
Handout
Michigan State University

Michigan State University: Feeding America Collection: Lizzie Black Kander

For Students 9th - 10th
Lizzie Black Kander was a well known figure in Milwaukee in the early part of the twentieth century. She helped Jewish immigrants settle in the area and learn how to gain acceptance, published cookbooks and promoted the 'domestic arts'...
+
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Jewish Americans

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Jewish Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
+
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: From Haven to Home: 350 Years of u.s. Jewish Life

For Students 9th - 10th
This in-depth online exhibit features more than two hundred treasures of American Jewish life from the Library of Congress and other cultural institutions.
+
Website
Other

Jews in America: Portal to Jewish American History

For Students 9th - 10th
Complete with music from Aaron Copland, the Center for Jewish History provides an interactive website that traces the history of Jews in the United States from 1654 until today. Authors provide a searchable gallery of photographs,...
+
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Ida Rosenthal

For Students 9th - 10th
An outspoken Russian Jewish immigrant sold American women on the first undergarment that uplifted and conformed to their shape -- the brassiere.
+
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Julius Schmid

For Students 9th - 10th
Once an impoverished German-Jewish immigrant, Julius Schmid became known as the king of condoms by selling reliable modern contraception and making millions in the process.
+
Website
PBS

A Life Apart: Hasidism in America

For Students 9th - 10th
Created to support of PBS documentary, this site can stand alone in its offerings of other resources on Hasidism, clips from video and interviews, and background information on this Eastern European religious community.
+
Website
Digital History

Digital History: American Jews

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting look at the Jewish population and culture in America in the 1800s. See how many adapted religious orthodoxy to fit in with American life.
+
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Israeli Americans

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Israeli Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
+
Primary
Other

On the Lower East Side: Observations of Life in Lower Manhattan

For Students 9th - 10th
Links to contemporary essays about life on the Lower East Side of New York City in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These essays cover a range of topics and are well worth exploring to find out what problems writers were exposing...
+
Article
Immigration and Ethnic History Society

Iehs: Adam Mendelsohn, "No Business Like the Clothing Business: The Rag Race"

For Students 9th - 10th
This article focuses on why the Jews who migrated to the US after WWII became more prosperous than those who settled in England. It discusses many factors, including the clothing industry and timing.
+
Graphic
Curated OER

Confirmation Class of Miami's Oldest Synagogue, 1931

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Humanities Center offers a comprehensive site chronicles the history of antisemitism and assimilation that made up the Jewish Experience in America. Site discusses Jewish immigration and status in society.