About This Lesson
When students interview immigrants on their journey to the U.S. and create a podcast from it, it builds a fuller understanding and empathy on the immigrant experience while strengthening their academic and technological skills. It also makes a necessary connection to current events away from political rhetoric and hyperbole. Make immigration relevant and interesting to students as they take ownership of their learning to interview immigrants in their lives. This podcast project and lesson plan was created and implemented by the winner of the American Immigration Council’s Community Grant Program, teacher Tyler Thornburg at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with the intention for the plan to be replicated and adapted. Although the project was implemented by 8th grade students, this lesson plan can be adapted for students at other grade levels.