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Summary and Objective
This lesson investigates the early attitudes toward Polish immigrants in the Pioneer Valley. The goal is to have students understand that the ancestors of immigrants who are now part of the everyday fabric of the valley, were once considered less than desirable. They will connect this to attitudes and predudices toward more recent immigrant groups, and make predictions about whether or not this will change as it has done with earlier immigrant groups.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Activate prior knowledge by asking students if they are, or have friends or relatives who are of Polish descent. Facilitate a discussion about whether or not these people as a group are considered productive citizens.
Step 2.
Divide class into groups. Group size will depend on the size of the class, but four in each group is a manageable amount.
Step 3.
Hand out copies of the articles, divided into pros and cons to the respective groups.* Ask them to notice that even the pro articles have stereotypical remarks about the group. Ask students to identify those stereotypes, and what effect they have.
Step 4.
Tell the students that as a group, they are to write a letter to the editor of the newspaper arguing their position about whether or not these immigrants are good or bad for the community.
Step 5.
Each group shares their letter with the class.
Step 6.
Facilitate a wrap-up discussion about how attitudes have changed toward this group.
Step 7.
Students write a reflection piece about how this debate relates to current biases about new immigrant groups, and make a prediction as to whether they think attitudes will change for this group as well.
Step 8.
*Note...Pro:"The Incoming of Poles","Will Visit Native Land","Aliens in New England" Con: "Need of Immigration Test", Immigrants in Industry", "Are We to be Polanized?", "Poles in Turners Falls" (could argue both sides with this one) Photos of potato bag and onion storage shed included for discussion of how Poles owned major businesses in community
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