Surviving In the American Society – Immigrant Students

HOW TO SURVIVE IN A STRANGE PLACE

(From reading Scott O’Dell’s Island of Blue Dolphins)

MR. ALTMAN

MORRIS HIGH SCHOOL – ESL Department

E-mail: lahu85@aol.com

INTRODUCTION

“In the Pacific there is an island that looks like a big fish sunning itself in the sea. Around it, blue dolphins swim, otters play, and sea elephants and sea birds abound. Once, Indians also lived on the island. And when they left and sailed to the east, one young girl was left behind.”

What do you think would happen to her? Imagine you were this girl, or recall what happened to you when you first came to America. You are alone in this strange place. What happened to you? You will have a lot of stories to tell. Through reading/studying Scott O’Dell’s novel, Island of Blue Dolphins,nd sharing your own story, you will find out what the novel is about and what the most important advice you want to give the newcomers.

1. You will read the story Island of Blue Dolphins. (Discussions will follow up based on the understanding of the book.)

2. You will do research on the Internet to find more information that tells the struggle of other immigrates in the United States.

3. You will write a three-page report on the reading of the novel and the research.

4. You will give an oral presentation to the class to share your responses and information.

1. You will be assigned to a group to discuss the novel, and to ask and answer questions about what you found in the Internet. You will be given handouts as an assignment.

2. You will use the six-step Public Policy Analyst format to develop your report:

a. Define the social problem: worksheet # 1

b. Gather evidence of the problem: worksheet # 2

c. Identify causes of the problem: worksheet # 3

d. Evaluate a policy: worksheet # 4

e. Develop your own solution: worksheet # 5

f. Select the best solution: worksheet # 6

3. You will be given a test after your oral presentation to determine what you have learned through this activity.

4. You will have a review discussion in the class after the test .

Novel: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/immigrants

www.Google.com

www.Yahoo.com

www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips

www.news.harvrd.edu/gazette/Immigrant Student.html

www.geography.about.com

www.ask.com

www.infoseek.com

www.worldbook.com

Excellent – A

· Showa thorough understanding of the project

· Provide excellent research information

· Demonstrate strong ability of using the Internet – PPA or other research tools

· Develop excellent skills of writing and oral presentation

· Gain a high mark on the test

Good - B

· Show a fair understanding of the project

· Provide rich research information

· Demonstrate ability of using the Internet – PPA or other research tools

· Develop skills of writing and oral presentation

· Gain a pretty good mark on the test

Satisfactory – C

· Show some understanding of the project

· Provide some research information

· Demonstrate some ability of using the Internet – PPA or other research tools

· Develop some skills of writing and oral presentation

· Gain a satisfactory mark on the test

Poor – D

· Show a little understanding of the project

· Provide a little research information

· Demonstrate a very little ability of using the Internet – PPA or other research tool

· Develop no skills of writing and oral presentation

· Gain a low mark on the test

With this project you have learned the story of the Indian girl’s life after her people left her. You have learned how to use Internet research tools, and you have had the opportunity to share and help others understand this aspect of life. Most importantly, you will use what you have learned in your future studies.