IInstructions for class presentation - Ancestry Immigration Story

CLASS PRESENTATION DUE - ANCESTRY IMMIGRATION STORY (20 points)

8 minute presentation - informal presentation, powerpoint not necessary though you may choose to do so, you may bring artifacts and photos from your family.  

Reflection on your own cultural heritage – you may use ancestry.com if you can’t find any relatives who know about your family’s immigration story

Research when and where at least part of your ancestors arrived in this country. In what part of the US did they settle?  What stories can you find of their experiences as new immigrants?  How many generations did it take for full language acculturation?  You may wish to use notes or bring historical family documents to show the class.

 For foreign born students:  What is your country of origin and your ancestor’s country of origin?  When did you come to the United States?  What brought you to the United States?  Describe the acculturation process to American culture.  What was it like for you (and your family if you have family in the U.S.) to come to the United States? What was difficult in the adjustment to the United States and what do you appreciate about living in United State. What is it like for those of your family who stayed in your native country?  Are you supporting family members financially in your country of origin?  Are you a citizen of the United States?  What was the process of becoming a citizen and how did you experience the process? Be as honest as you can and share what you feel comfortable sharing.  This is a way to help your classmates understand the reality of immigrants in the United States.

 For adopted students:  If you know your family of origin, research that family even though you never lived with them.  If you don’t know your family of origin, you may talk about the immigration history of your family who adopted you.

 This assignment is to help us all understand our own immigration stories and the immigration of present day immigrants.  None of us are native to the United States.  How might the Native Americans felt when foreigners started invading their lands? 

 Note the patterns, reasons for coming to the U.S. in the past and present, the struggles to assimilate to the new culture, language learning, and other issues.  Note the lack of trust of certain groups who immigrated to the U.S. both in the past and present day. How were they welcomed?