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Historica Canada Education Portal

An Immigrant's Letter Home

  • Immigration
  • Intermediate – Middle School

This lesson plan was created by members of Historica Canada’s teacher community. Historica Canada does not take responsibility for the accuracy or availability of any links herein, and the views reflected in these learning tools may not necessary reflect those of Historica Canada. We welcome feedback regarding the content that may be linked to or included in these learning tools; email us at education@HistoricaCanada.ca.


Overview


The student will create a document demonstrating empathy with the experiences of immigrants to Canada.

Activities


Time Allowance:
3 hours

Procedures:

Activity: An Immigrant’s Letter Home

Outcome

The student will create a document demonstrating empathy with the experiences of immigrants to Canada.

Content

Immigrants underwent a variety of experiences as they adjusted to life in a new land. Many would never return to their countries of origin, and their only contact with family was through letters sent across vast distances. To help students understand the emotions of these settlers they are asked to create a letter depicting the fictionalized or authentic experiences of immigrants. These letters will show the reactions of immigrants to their new homes.

Process

· The student selects a country of origin and a time period in which emigration to Canada took place.

· Using resources found on The Canadian Encyclopedia and other sites the student researches the lives of selected individuals: forces leading to emigration, the actual physical movement, their settlement, and how they are or are not accepted in the new community.

· The letter will be between 300-400 words, meeting the criteria outlined on the attached outline.

· Students will have three class periods (3 hours) to complete the assignment

Supporting documents for this Learning Tool

File type File size Action
Letter_Home_Activity_.pdf PDF 104 KB Download

Supporting documents for this Learning Tool