Grade 8 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 19, Lesson 2

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
A More Perfect Union

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 19, Lesson 2: America's Many Cultures (pp. 571-576)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Culture Immigrants often assimilate by adopting some aspects of their new culture while retaining parts of their native culture.

Describe how American immigrants both change and are changed by contact with U.S. culture. Define assimilation, explaining how immigrants have used work and education as a means of assimilation and achievement, and how assimilation often differs for parents and children.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Have students create a list of paired examples of ways an immigrant might both adopt American culture and retain his or her own. For example: an immigrant may speak English on the job, but continue to read newspapers and books in his or her native language. Encourage students to give examples involving food, entertainment, worship, or political activities.
Have each student draw a cartoon to illustrate the title "The Immigrant Road to Success." Encourage students to include details about education, work, and the hope for a better future for one's children.

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