Reading Research Data
Literacy is not just about reading narrative text. Being able to read and interpret data from graphs and charts is also essential. Finding reliable information on immigration is almost as hard as its interpretation simply because it is an extremely polarizing topic in our country, and the world. Information on immigration can be presented in a way that favors one political view over another. The United States census has reams of data that students can investigate and draw conclusions. Opening the unit with a discussion about this topic will begin to prepare students for the ethical considerations with which they will grapple. Some questions to consider are:
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When an immigrant arrives in a new country, should they have the same rights to education and health care as do citizens?
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Do immigrants have a duty to immediately assimilate to their new homes?
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Should they be required to speak English?
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Immigrant children often become the translators between their cultures and ours. Is being forced into this role fair?
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Should stricter limits be placed on immigration?
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It is not always easy to begin addressing questions like these. However this difficult subject is already playing out in many of our students'' lives. In an article titled, "The Class Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest" Laura Varlas wrote, "Rather than shy away from controversy in the classroom, teachers draw on edgy topics as an authentic opportunity to practice the critical thinking and social-emotional skills needed to debate sensitive issues.
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Immigrant Narratives
After investigating the vast quantities of data on immigration, moving on to reading personal narratives will allow students, both native and immigrant, to get a clearer picture of the human condition. They will read examples of human suffering and triumph that will, ideally, give them a sense of the courage displayed by so many people we unknowingly encounter throughout our day.
One important thing to consider is that New Haven accepts refugees from over 70 different countries.
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The United Nations' definition of refugee states that he or she a person with a
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well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.
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The majority of refugees in New Haven are from Iraq, Iran, Congo, Guinea, Burundi, Ghana, Liberia and Vietnam. There are a growing number of people seeking asylum from Syria. Asylum seekers are people whose problems have not yet been established as valid and may or may not become refugees. In addition, people from Haiti and Central American can be granted temporary refugee status because their native country cannot provide adequate living conditions due to national disasters.
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There will be many questions that evolve from the readings and discussions.
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Writing an Argument Essay
There are subtle yet striking differences between persuasive writing and argument writing. Persuasive essays combine facts (logos) with emotion (pathos) in order to convince the reader. In an argument essay, the writer seeks to critically inform the reader, using facts from both sides of an issue, and thereby establishes credibility (ethos). The writer shares information that proves the topic is important to consider. The topic of immigration lends itself to both styles, but for the purpose of this task, students must thoroughly research a claim and present facts both sides in order for the reader to agree with his or her opinion.
New Haven has been on the national stage because of immigration issues, many times. Our former mayor proposed issuing undocumented immigrants identification cards. (Should undocumented immigrants be given privileges like voting?) The Yale Law School filed the first successful class action suit against the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for practices involving deportation. (Do illegal immigrants have the same protections against things like arrests without warrants?) Finally, the FBI investigated and tried the East Haven Police Department on its policy condoning racial profiling. (Is racial profiling necessary to deter crime?) Students would have to research from both sides of an issue, identify reasons, and clearly state their opinion.
