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Journey to a New Land: NYC Edition

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Shanté Wilkerson

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Journey to a New Land: NYC Edition

Explore NYC's cultural diversity

In this lesson, students will explore the cultural diversity of New York City through the lens of immigration. By engaging in role-play and discussions, students will gain a deeper understanding of how various immigrant communities have shaped the city's culture and identity. This lesson is important as it fosters appreciation for cultural diversity and the contributions of immigrants to society.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Explore NYC's cultural diversity

Materials

Role-play scenario cards, Discussion questions, Worksheet: Immigrant Stories, Pens and paper, and Interactive map of NYC neighborhoods

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

  • Begin with a brief discussion on what immigration means and its impact on NYC.
  • Ask students if they know any NYC neighborhoods known for their cultural heritage.
  • Explain the objective of the lesson: to explore NYC's cultural diversity through immigrant experiences.

Step 2

Interactive Storytelling

20 mins

  • Divide students into small groups.
  • Distribute role-play scenario cards featuring different NYC immigrant communities.
  • Instruct students to read their scenario and discuss how they would feel and what cultural contributions their community has made.
  • Encourage creativity and empathy in their discussions.

Step 3

Role-Play Activity

20 mins

  • Have each group present their scenario through a short role-play.
  • Encourage students to express emotions and thoughts of their characters, focusing on cultural aspects.
  • After each presentation, allow time for questions and reflections from the audience.

Step 4

Closure

10 mins

  • Gather students for a whole-class discussion.
  • Use the discussion questions to guide reflections on what they learned about NYC's cultural diversity.
  • Encourage students to share any new insights or feelings they have gained from the activity.

Step 5

Neighborhood Exploration Project

Project-based

  • Assign students to research a specific NYC neighborhood known for its cultural heritage.
  • Instruct them to create a multimedia presentation (e.g., video, slideshow, or poster) highlighting the neighborhood's history, cultural landmarks, and community stories.
  • Encourage students to include interviews, photos, and other creative elements.
  • Plan a presentation day where students can share their projects with the class or school community.
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Worksheet

Role-Play Scenario Cards

These cards contain different immigrant scenarios in NYC for students to role-play.




Scenario 1: A family from China settling in Chinatown.







Scenario 2: An Italian immigrant family in Little Italy.







Scenario 3: A Caribbean family in Harlem.







Scenario 4: A Jewish family in the Lower East Side.




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Discussion

Discussion Questions

Questions to guide the class discussion on NYC's cultural diversity.

How have immigrant communities shaped NYC's culture?

Discuss contributions to food, art, and music.







What challenges might immigrants face when settling in NYC?

Consider language barriers, housing, and employment.







How can we celebrate and support cultural diversity in our community?

Talk about cultural festivals, learning about different traditions, and being inclusive.







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Worksheet

Worksheet: Immigrant Stories

A worksheet for students to reflect on the stories of immigrants in NYC and their own thoughts.

Describe a cultural contribution made by the immigrant community in your role-play scenario.

Think about food, festivals, or art.







How did your character feel about being part of NYC's cultural mosaic?

Consider emotions like pride, belonging, or excitement.







What is one thing you learned about NYC's cultural diversity today?

Reflect on new insights or perspectives gained.







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