Arizona Immigration Law - Teaching American History.docx

Lesson Plan 8:
Lesson title: Arizona Immigration Law
Grade level: 9th grade – American History
Rationale: Immigration has been a large issue in the United States throughout our history. Until the 1960s, the majority of immigrants came from Europe. Since the 1960s, immigration switched to being mainly from Latin America and Asia. During the last few years of the 2000s decade, several municipalities put laws in place that restricted rights of illegal immigrants. This issue is current and affects many students and their families.
Guiding Questions: How does immigration affect the economy?
Should illegal immigrants have the same rights as legal immigrants?

Standards / Objectives: OPS Standard 8
Unit 12 – The New Millennium
Anticipatory Set:
As students walk into the classroom, a faux-newspaper front page will be on the projector. It will say that OPS will not allow illegal immigrants to attend school.
(Teacher needs to make this seem authentic!)
Students will write how this makes them feel. Next the class will discuss the headline:
What does it say? (3)
Why would OPS do this? (4)
How would you feel if you were one of those students? (4)
How would you feel if you were their parents? (4)
How would you feel if you were legal, but couldn’t find your paperwork? (4)
Predict what legal action might occur after this rule is announced? (5)
(Now it is okay to let the