Chinese in the Mississippi Delta​​

• Pre-Reading Activity
• Discussion Questions
• Activity 1 (Maps)​
• Activity 2 (Folktales)
• Activity 3 (Storyboards)​

Activity 1: Mapping Migration

learning objectives

Students will be able to:

• Identify the transcontinental route that many Chinese immigrants took to get to the United States
  
• Consider the personal experiences and risks of Chinese immigrants in their migration journeys

Download worksheet

Jump to Vocabulary List (bottom)

Activity Instructions:
​Step 1 (5 min)
Present the section of the slide deck for Activity 1 (slides 14-18). Review the background information and vocabulary. Distribute the worksheet for Activity 1.

Step 2 (15 min)
Instruct students to follow the directions on the worksheet to identify the Chinese migration route.

1. Draw the route on the map.
   
2. Either give students computer access to look up the distance in miles between each location or provide them with the information.
   
3. Instruct students to add up the total distance of miles traveled, using scratch paper or calculators.

Step 3 (8 min)
After completing their maps, instruct students to answer the reflection questions:

1. Why do you think Chinese immigrants made this long journey to come to the United States?
   
2. What do you think they hoped for?

 

Vocabulary List:
Migration: the movement from one place to another
Immigrant: a person who moves to another country to live permanently

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