A Nation of Many Colors SUMMARY This book explores how the United States became such a diverse country, with many different immigrant groups The book also tells the story of the different immigrant groups that have helped shape this country into what it is today LESSON VOCABULARY advice circumstances hustled luxury peddler advised elbow immigrants newcomer INTRODUCE THE BOOK INTRODUCE THE TITLE AND AUTHOR Discuss with students the title and the author of A Nation of Many Colors Based on the title, ask students what kind of information they think this book will provide Ask students what they think the title means and what images this brings to mind Direct students to look at the cover photograph Ask them if it provides more clues about the book’s content Guide students to consider the details in the photograph: Are there people in the photograph? What they look like? What period in history does it look like? BUILD BACKGROUND Ask students if they have ever thought about what it means to start a new life in a new country Do they know where their own families came from? Do they know any families or friends who came from another country? Do they know of any notable people who are the children of immigrants? Discuss how immigrants have contributed to the United States What are some places, people, or things that show this country’s diversity? 5.1.5 CAUSE AND EFFECT SUMMARIZE READ THE BOOK SET PURPOSE Have students set a purpose for reading A Nation of Many Colors Students’ curiosity about immigrants and the challenges they face should guide this purpose Suggest that as they read, students think about what it is like to be an immigrant today STRATEGY SUPPORT: SUMMARIZE When students are finished with the selection, have them review the ideas they wrote while reading Have them write a brief summary based on the notes they took Challenge them to determine whether they wrote a good summary of what they read COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS PAGE What does the phrase “the melting pot” refer to? (collection of ethnic groups in the United States) PAGE What are some examples of what causes immigrants to come to the United States? (the desire for an education, civil rights, and better employment) PAGE 11 Why is Jennifer Lopez included in this book? (She is an example of a Hispanic American who is well-known in the United States.) PAGE 22 Can you summarize what happened to Jewish Americans during the 1900s? (Many moved to the suburbs and blended into mainstream American culture.) PAGE 23 How have immigrants made the United States a more interesting and exciting place to live? (Answers will vary.) PREVIEW/USE PHOTOGRAPHS Invite students to take a picture walk through the photographs Ask them how the photographs provide more information about the subject 28 A Nation of Many Colors 16917_LRD_TG_028-029 28 3/20/06 8:54:36 AM REVISIT THE BOOK READER RESPONSE The main cause was that African Americans were tired of experiencing racism Possible effects: united African Americans, produced leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., and caused whites to reconsider how they viewed ethnic groups Possible responses: to get an education or employment, to obtain civil and religious rights, to escape war Advice is a noun, and advise is a verb Responses will vary EXTEND UNDERSTANDING Remind students that text is structured in many ways to present ideas, such as chronologically Text presented in chronological order shows how elements may change over time Suggest students pick one of the ethnic groups covered in the book and create a time line of the events and changes in that group’s experience in the United States Remind students that they can draw conclusions based on the changes they uncover in their list For example, they may conclude that, historically, life has been extremely hard for African Americans RESPONSE OPTIONS WRITING Ask students to imagine their family has just immigrated to the United States Have them think about details such as what country they are from and what kind of life they will lead Ask students to write imaginary letters to their relatives back in their former countries The letters should show how they feel about their new homes Volunteers can read their letters aloud to the class SOCIAL STUDIES CONNECTION Ask students to research the life of an immigrant group in the United States that is not covered in this book They should focus on one particular group, learn about the problems in their former country, and what kinds of challenges they face in the United States Skill Work TEACH/REVIEW VOCABULARY Review the vocabulary words Then play “Vocabulary Master” with students Give them three different definitions for each vocabulary word, including one that is fantastical or silly, and have them select the correct definition and use the word in a sentence Have students skim the story and write down any unfamiliar words Suggest that they look the words up in the dictionary and write the meanings in their notebooks TARGET SKILL AND STRATEGY CAUSE AND EFFECT Remind students that an effect is something that happens, and a cause is why something happens Give students a pair of sentences related to the subject of this book that show cause and effect, such as: Facing limited job prospects and an uncertain future in their country, families sometimes chose to leave and try to start a better life in the United States As a result, the United States is a nation of immigrants Have students identify which of these sentences shows a cause and which shows an effect SUMMARIZE Remind students that summarizing is telling the main events of a story in a few sentences Summarizing can help readers check their understanding of a text As students read, have them write down what they think are the main events ADDITIONAL SKILL INSTRUCTION DRAW CONCLUSIONS Remind students that drawing conclusions means making a sensible decision after considering some facts or details and what they already know Give students a few sentences about a topic related to this text (immigrant communities or how different immigrant groups are treated) Have students draw reasonable conclusions about that topic A Nation of Many Colors 16917_LRD_TG_028-029 29 29 3/20/06 8:54:43 AM A Nation of Many Colors Name Cause and Effect • A cause tells why something happened • An effect tells what happened Directions Using the graphic organizer, list three causes and three effects of immigration in the United States One cause and one effect are done for you Causes Effects © Pearson Education Cubans felt threatened by Castro’s communist government Immigrant communities were formed 30 16917_LRD_TG_030_031 12/28/05 1:00:38 PM A Nation of Many Colors Name Vocabulary Directions Underline the context clue that explains what each of the boldface words mean Check the Words You Know advice elbow luxury advised hustled newcomer circumstances immigrants peddler Sam’s words of wisdom are always the best advice The teacher counseled Adrian and said the principal advised him to so All the situations created by the picnic were circumstances beyond control The joint between the upper and lower arm makes the elbow very important Everyone that was pushed inside felt hustled by the guards The immigrants were new settlers on the plains and needed help The luxury apartment was comfortable and richly decorated Every newcomer was welcomed just as they moved into town The peddler sold more pots than any of the other market sellers © Pearson Education Directions Write a paragraph about what life is often like for an immigrant, using as many vocabulary words as possible 31 16917_LRD_TG_030_031 12/28/05 1:00:39 PM ... than any of the other market sellers © Pearson Education Directions Write a paragraph about what life is often like for an immigrant, using as many vocabulary words as possible 31 16917_LRD _TG_ 030_031... 16917_LRD _TG_ 028-029 29 29 3/20/06 8:54:43 AM A Nation of Many Colors Name Cause and Effect • A cause tells why something happened • An effect tells what happened Directions Using the graphic organizer,... READER RESPONSE The main cause was that African Americans were tired of experiencing racism Possible effects: united African Americans, produced leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., and caused