The website which I found; http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/immigration/, offers a task designed for a class which is grade 11. The task set fourth is entitled “American Immigration Past and Present: A Simulation Activity.” The task is designed to further the class’s historical knowledge of immigration as well as the issues that arise around immigration in America today. The first section of the task is designed to give the back ground knowledge to immigration; it explains the main changes in the nationalities which migrated to America and the number of immigrants.
The second section provides “Issues to consider” these issues include “cultural differences and language barriers among different ethnic groups have frequently given rise to hostilities between them.” One of the more interesting issues which this websites sees as an issue is “immigrants' inability to quickly assimilate themselves to the norms of mainstream American social life have often prevented them from realizing the economic advancement they sought when they left their homelands,” this giving the perception that America is superior to any nation that should move there. It is also seen as a problem not to fit into ‘mainstream’ America and is a hindrance to themselves in not conforming. Within the ‘Issues to consider’ the question whether “we should continue our longstanding policy of openness, or "close the gates" in order to protect the existing levels of prosperity that most American citizens enjoy.” Despite offering both sides as an option, i feel that there is a biased towards the latter. The idea of protecting American prosperity and to do so is to put a stop to immigration, so that “American citizens [can] enjoy” there liberty to prosperity without the fear of immigrants taking it away from them. This is further reiterated when they are not only asked to take on the roles of the immigrants but to focus on the questions “Can we accommodate them? Should we accommodate them?” and the affect on American citizens quality of due to immigration policies.
The conclusion states “Why are borders and immigration policies needed?” implies that the answer to the question of immigration is that there is a problem with it and restrictions are needed in preventing large numbers of immigrants entering America.
The purpose of this lesson is to “In addition to teaching students the main historical facts of America's immigration heritage and the important issues” but “to reflect upon personal values and priorities surrounding an issue” here the student is asked to generate their own personal feelings towards immigration. This could for many be to limit immigration, in order to protect their rights as an American citizen. However as there are such high levels of immigrants in America it could be them doing the assessment so therefore they could encourage immigration, allowing others the opportunity that they had.