Subject: 10th grade Foreign Languages

Duration: 2-3 classes

Standards (Illinois):
IL-28.A: Understand oral communication in the target language).

IL-28.D.4b: Make a persuasive presentation with documentation (e.g., visuals, interviews, quotes) from target language sources.

IL-29: Use the target language to develop an understanding of the customs, arts, literature, history and geography associated with the target language.

IL-29.A: Understand manners and customs of various target language societies.

Goal: To compare and contrast immigrant experiences.

Objectives:
To analyze Puerto Rican migration to Chicago.

To apply information from the article into an interview with an immigrant.

Activities:
1. Students read the two-page introduction of the article by Gina Pérez, "An Upbeat West Side Story: Puerto Ricans and Postwar Racial Politics in Chicago."

2. On an overhead, list the issues mentioned in the article, soliciting information from the students.

3. Discuss some of the barriers and limitations that immigrants often experience such as racism, employment, separation from family members and home country.

4. In pairs, students create interview questions using the information from the article as a base. Review the questions as a class.

5. Students interview an immigrant from any country. The person could be a parent, grandparent, other relative, a friend, or ask instructor for a list of people willing to complete an interview. They can call or meet in person with the interviewee.

6. Students create a list of questions as a class that will be used as a guide throughout the questioning process. These questions will also become the template that can be used for assessment. While it is not necessary to record the interview, all questions developed in class must be addressed. The questions can range from "When did you arrive to the United States?" to "What were your expectations of living in the States?"

7. Students compare the answers to their interview questions with those that are raised in the article.

Assessment:
The template students develop for the interview will be assessed. The template will include questions developed in class like those mentioned above, as well as those created by the student separately. The interview must consist of ten questions, minimum.

Materials:
Resources: Pérez, Gina. "An Upbeat West Side Story: Puerto Ricans and Postwar Racial Politics in Chicago." Centro Journal Volume 8, 11/2/2001 Fall Issue. LINK TO