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Summary and Objective
The students will understand that primary documents, such as newspaper articles of an era, can provide insight into understanding one immigrant group's effect on an established community. In this activity students will gain an understanding of the attitudes regarding Polish immigrants who arrived between 1880 and 1930 at the Montague/Turners Falls area of Massachusetts. They will examine several articles found in the digital collection of the American Centuries Website. Students will answer questions pertinent to the articles and then search the website links for further information that provides connections to commonly shared immigrant experiences.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Introduce this activity by examining the "Onion Harvest," a 1913 photograph by Frances and Mary Allen, displayed in the digital collection of the American Centuries Website. Review the accompanying label.
Step 2.
Ask the students to read the selected articles and answer teacher generated questions.
Step 3.
Have a class discussion of reading materials and answers to questions.
Step 4.
Visit web sites and collect commonly shared experiences. Students can also search beyond suggested links.
Step 5.
Assessment: Write a one to two page paper about the Polish Experience in Montague and beyond.
Step 6.
You can utilize this activity as a model for investigating local attitudes toward immigrant groups in your town or region. Have students research the topic primarily through the use of local, archival newspaper accounts when available. Consult with local libraries and historical societies, as well as conducting online searches.
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