A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : Portrait of New Americans Photo Essay Harvard Graduate School of Education: "Ed. Magazine" This digital resource highlights the work of the Columbia Heights West Teen Photo Project of Arlington, Virginia. Most of the youths who participate in this extracurricular activity are recent immigrants or children of recent immigrants. Because their parents are often slower to acclimate to life in the United States, their photographs show them to be "pioneers seeking their own pathways in a new homeland." (Secondary source material with links to original photographs). The students can examine the photo essay and write their own brief description of the images. The teacher can ask the students to write the description in the format of an explanation in a museum exhibit. After reading the article about the New American Photo Essay and examining the images, students can put together their own photo essay of their family's heritage. The students should write an explanation of their creation.

(b) analyzing how changing patterns of immigration affect the diversity of the United States population, the reasons new immigrants choose to come to this country, and their contributions to contemporary America;

Portrait of New Americans Photo Essay
Harvard Graduate School of Education: Ed. Magazine

Description: This digital resource highlights the work of the Columbia Heights West Teen Photo Project of Arlington, Virginia. Most of the youths who participate in this extracurricular activity are recent immigrants or children of recent immigrants. Because their parents are often slower to acclimate to life in the United States, their photographs show them to be "pioneers seeking their own pathways in a new homeland." (Secondary source material with links to original photographs).

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestion

The students can examine the photo essay and write their own brief description of the images. The teacher can ask the students to write the description in the format of an explanation in a museum exhibit.

Suggestion for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

After reading the article about the New American Photo Essay and examining the images, students can put together their own photo essay of their family's heritage. The students should write an explanation of their creation.