There are many books related to immigration that can help students better visualize and understand the history of immigrants and their experiences. Some short picture books can be used as a whole class read-alouds, where other longer books can be used as longer novel studies. In this activity, students will create a plot summary of a book using visuals and descriptions.
The book used for this activity’s example is Fiona’s Lace by Patricia Polacco.
The following are suggestions for literature related to immigration:
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Summarize the story in a 6-8 cell storyboard. Be sure to describe the main events in the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Student Instructions:
Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings about the immigrant experiences depicted in the stories. Open-ended questions and respectful listening create a safe space for students to express perspectives and connect personally to the material.
Choose questions that invite personal reflection, empathy, and critical thinking. Ask about characters' feelings, challenges, and cultural changes to deepen understanding of immigration experiences.
Review guidelines for active listening and respectful speaking. Model how to respond thoughtfully to classmates so everyone feels valued and heard.
Encourage students to share family histories or traditions related to moving, starting over, or preserving culture. This builds empathy and helps students see common threads in diverse backgrounds.
Ask students to summarize what they learned or how their thinking changed after the discussion. Reflection helps cement understanding and connects literature to real-world perspectives.
A literature connection activity for immigration uses books and stories to help students understand immigrant experiences by reading and creating projects, such as storyboards, that summarize the plot and key events.
To create a storyboard, read the book carefully, then use a template to divide the story into 6-8 cells. In each cell, write a brief description and draw an illustration for the main events from the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Some recommended picture books for teaching immigration and Ellis Island include Dreaming of America: An Ellis Island Story by Eve Bunting, When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest, and The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco.
This activity is designed for grades 4–6, making it ideal for students in upper elementary who are learning about immigration history through literature.
Storyboards help students visually organize and summarize the main events of immigrant stories, enhancing comprehension, sequencing skills, and empathy by allowing them to see and retell the journey in their own words and images.