The Chinese Exclusion Act: Primary Source Analysis
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With these highly scaffolded resources, middle schoolers CAN read primary sources in US History! This super-discounted bundle includes many of my most popular resources. Files include:Primary sources that align with most US History curricula (age of exploration - westward expansion)Glossaries &Price $19.95Original Price $28.50Save $8.55
Description
What factors motivated Americans to pass the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?
Students will read & analyze 5 primary sources* to answer the guiding question: "Why did Americans pass the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882?" Students will create a working theory and use historical argumentation skills to write a defense of their historical theory. In this lesson, students will:
- Create a hypothesis answering the guiding question
- Read & analyze 5 primary source documents
- Take notes in a graphic organizer
- Develop an informed thesis that answers the guiding question
- Write a structured analytical paragraph, supporting their claim with text-based evidence.
*2 of the 5 primary sources have been modified & excerpted for clarity, brevity, and vocabulary support. Modifying primary sources is a best practice for giving young readers access to historical documents. Read more about modifying primary sources on teachinghistory.com
Middle schoolers CAN read primary sources with support and scaffolding!
This lesson is a rigorous addition to any U.S. History curriculum, especially those that focus on social justice, close reading, primary source analysis, and relevant connection to today's world. It was created for a 7th grade U.S. History classroom for a unit on US immigration policy in the 1880s and today. However, it is appropriate for use in all levels of middle school and lower high school.
Use this lesson after teaching the concepts of legal/social exclusion and resistance:
- Immigration, Oppression, and Resistance: Concept Formation
- Immigration, Exclusion, and Systemic Racism: A Concept Formation Introduction
►►►Included in this lesson◄◄◄
☺ 5 primary sources related to motivations behind the Chinese Exclusion Act
- 1 speech
- 1 biography
- 2 political cartoons
- 1 data table
☺ 1 graphic organizer for student notes
☺ 1 structured historical argument writing assignment
☺ 1 outline with sentence starters for historical writing assignment
☺ Teacher answer key
Differentiation for English Language Learners (ELLs), students with IEPs, and struggling readers:
■ Vocabulary banks
■ Graphic organizer to gather ideas before writing
■ Primary sources are excerpted & modified
■ Incorporates visuals
■ Sentence starters & scaffolded oultine for analytical writing
