Irish Immigration Networks

Background and Rationale:

This is the second lesson of the second week of a unit which examines coerced Irish migration to Iowa for a grade 10-12 advanced placement, American Studies class. Having learned the history of Irish individual migration and been introduced to the horrific conditions aboard the Famine Ships, students will learn about the networks which provided necessary support for Famine Irish immigrant survival in America.

Why study networks? Networks provided necessary assistance to immigrants. Without the combined aid from previous immigrants, the Catholic Church, and social organizations, many immigrants might not have survived.

Objectives and Procedures:

(50 minute class period)

Given the following activities, the students will:

	List Irish Famine networks
	Understand the necessity of networks for survival
	Create their own conceptual knowledge of individual migration through writing a historical journal

Teaching strategies:

	Study Guide: Guided reading
	Applying concept understanding through writing historical journals.

Sequence of Events:

Minutes 1 through 5:
Administrative functions (attendance)

Minutes 5 through 10:
Topic introduction/hand out materials

Minutes 10 through 15:
Reading #3: Martin Reagan and a Story of Survival (see note)

Minutes 15 through 20:
Lecture: Types of Networks

Minutes 20 through 25:
Lecture: Family Networks (previous Irish immigrants)

Minutes 25 through 30:
Lecture: Social Networks ( the Catholic Church, AOH, etc.)

Minutes 30 through 35:
Lecture: Political Networks (unions, the Democratic Party)

Minutes 35 to 40:
Discussion of networks

Minutes 40 through 45:
Individual work on journals

Minutes 45 through 50:
Conclusion

Evaluation:

Study Guide: Reading #3

Note: Reading #3 is a brief example of text which supports the lecture. Without having a textbook, each reading provides text and content which students can use as reference.

How will I know this is working?

a) Reading #3 elicits discussion
b) Enthusiastic discussion of completed journals

Associated projects: Historical journals (modified version of project from Fortman, N. in bibliography)

Readings : Reading #3