Migration Museum: Exploring Journeys, Then and Now
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as historians, design a museum exhibit that explores the compelling reasons for migration, its profound impact on communities, and the role of democratic principles, to promote responsible citizenship and cross-cultural understanding?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- Why do people migrate to new places?
- How does migration impact communities?
- How have democratic principles influenced migration patterns?
- What does it mean to be a responsible and active citizen in a democracy?
- How does understanding migration help us appreciate different cultures and identities?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the reasons for migration.
- Analyze the impact of migration on communities.
- Explore the influence of democratic principles on migration.
- Develop responsible and active citizenship skills.
- Appreciate different cultures and identities through the lens of migration.
Teacher Provided Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Mysterious Suitcase
A mysterious suitcase arrives in the classroom, filled with artifacts from an unknown migrant. Students must analyze the objects to deduce the person's story, origin, and reasons for migrating, sparking curiosity about the diverse experiences of migrants. This connects directly to the core project goal by immediately immersing students in the role of museum curators uncovering and interpreting migration stories.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Focus Question Justification
Students brainstorm and select a specific focus question about migration. They will justify why this question is compelling and how it captures key ideas related to migration.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written rationale explaining why the chosen focus question is compelling and representative of key ideas about migration.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 3.1 by requiring students to identify and articulate the central themes of migration through a focus question.Supporting Question Web
Students will create a series of supporting questions that help answer their focus question. They will organize these questions thematically and explain how each question contributes to a deeper understanding of migration.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA structured list of supporting questions, categorized by theme, with a brief explanation of how each question aids in answering the focus question.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses standard 3.2 by guiding students to formulate and utilize supporting questions that systematically explore their chosen focus question, enhancing their inquiry process.Democratic Principles Presentation
Students will research historical and contemporary examples of how democratic principles (or lack thereof) have influenced migration patterns. They will create a presentation that explains these connections, highlighting specific policies, events, or movements.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation (e.g., slideshow, poster, or short video) that explains how democratic principles have influenced migration patterns, using specific historical and contemporary examples.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsConnects with standard 3.8 by challenging students to investigate and present on specific instances where democratic principles have influenced migration, both historically and contemporarily.Citizenship Action Plan
Students will investigate how responsible and active citizens can support or hinder the integration and well-being of migrants. They will then propose actionable strategies for promoting responsible citizenship in relation to migration issues.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA proposal outlining actionable strategies for promoting responsible citizenship in relation to migration issues, including specific examples of how citizens can support or engage with migrant communities.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsDirectly aligns with standard 3.9 by prompting students to explore and articulate the roles and responsibilities of active citizens in the context of migration, fostering a deeper understanding of civic engagement and its impact on immigrant communities.Migration Stories: Interview & Reflection
Students will interview a migrant or someone who works closely with migrant communities. They will document the interview and reflect on the experiences shared, focusing on how migration has shaped their identity and perspectives.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA documented interview with a migrant or community worker, accompanied by a reflective essay that discusses the experiences shared and their impact on the student's understanding of migration and cultural identity.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports standard 3.26 by encouraging students to empathetically explore and articulate the experiences of migrants, fostering respect and understanding.Cultural Identity Comparison
Students will create a visual representation (e.g., Venn diagram, collage) that compares and contrasts their own cultural identity with that of a migrant or migrant group. They will then write a reflection on the similarities and differences, focusing on how migration influences cultural identity.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual representation comparing and contrasting the student's cultural identity with that of a migrant or migrant group, accompanied by a written reflection on the similarities and differences.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses standard 3.27 by guiding students to compare their own cultural identities with those of migrants, fostering empathy and cross-cultural understanding through a reflective exploration of similarities and differences.Community Impact Profile
Students will research individuals or groups who have worked to improve their communities, focusing on the actions of migrants or organizations that support migrant communities. They will create a profile highlighting their contributions and impact.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA profile (e.g., biography, poster presentation) of an individual or group who has worked to improve their community, focusing on the actions of migrants or organizations that support migrant communities.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCorrelates with standard 3.28 by researching and presenting on individuals or groups who have positively impacted their communities, promoting equity and inspiring students to become active agents of change.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioMigration Museum Exhibit Rubric
Focus Question
This category assesses the student's ability to formulate and justify a compelling focus question related to migration.Focus Question Quality
Clarity and depth of the focus question and its connection to key migration themes.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe rationale presents a sophisticated and insightful focus question that clearly represents the core themes of migration, demonstrating a deep understanding of the topic.
Proficient
3 PointsThe rationale presents a clear and well-justified focus question that represents key ideas about migration, demonstrating a solid understanding of the topic.
Developing
2 PointsThe rationale presents a focus question that is somewhat related to migration, but the justification lacks depth and clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsThe rationale presents a focus question that is not clearly related to migration, and the justification is minimal or absent.
Supporting Questions
This category evaluates the student's ability to develop a structured set of supporting questions that effectively explore their focus question.Supporting Question Web Quality
Relevance, organization, and explanation of supporting questions in relation to the focus question.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe supporting questions are exceptionally relevant, logically organized, and thoroughly explained, demonstrating a deep and nuanced understanding of how they address the focus question.
Proficient
3 PointsThe supporting questions are relevant, well-organized, and clearly explained, demonstrating a solid understanding of how they address the focus question.
Developing
2 PointsThe supporting questions are somewhat relevant, but the organization and explanations are lacking in clarity and depth.
Beginning
1 PointsThe supporting questions are not clearly relevant to the focus question, and the organization and explanations are minimal or absent.
Democratic Principles
This category assesses the student's understanding of the relationship between democratic principles and migration patterns.Democratic Principles Explanation
Accuracy, depth, and clarity of the presentation in explaining how democratic principles have influenced migration.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe presentation demonstrates a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of how democratic principles have influenced migration, providing compelling evidence and insightful analysis.
Proficient
3 PointsThe presentation accurately and clearly explains how democratic principles have influenced migration, providing relevant examples and information.
Developing
2 PointsThe presentation attempts to explain the influence of democratic principles on migration, but the explanation lacks depth and clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsThe presentation does not adequately explain the influence of democratic principles on migration, and the information is minimal or inaccurate.
Citizenship Action
This category evaluates the student's ability to propose actionable strategies for promoting responsible citizenship in relation to migration issues.Citizenship Action Plan Quality
Relevance, feasibility, and clarity of the proposed strategies for promoting responsible citizenship in relation to migration issues.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe proposal presents exceptionally relevant, feasible, and clearly articulated strategies for promoting responsible citizenship in relation to migration issues, demonstrating a deep understanding of civic engagement and its impact.
Proficient
3 PointsThe proposal outlines relevant, feasible, and clearly articulated strategies for promoting responsible citizenship in relation to migration issues.
Developing
2 PointsThe proposal includes some strategies for promoting responsible citizenship, but they lack relevance, feasibility, or clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsThe proposal does not adequately address the promotion of responsible citizenship in relation to migration issues, and the strategies are minimal or impractical.
Interview Reflection
This category assesses the student's ability to reflect on the interview and its impact on their understanding of migration and cultural identity.Interview Reflection Depth
Depth of reflection on the interview and its impact on the student's understanding of migration and cultural identity.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe reflection demonstrates a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the experiences shared in the interview, and it profoundly impacts the student's understanding of migration and cultural identity.
Proficient
3 PointsThe reflection clearly articulates the experiences shared in the interview and their impact on the student's understanding of migration and cultural identity.
Developing
2 PointsThe reflection mentions some of the experiences shared in the interview, but the impact on the student's understanding is superficial.
Beginning
1 PointsThe reflection is minimal or absent, and it does not demonstrate an understanding of the experiences shared in the interview or their impact on the student.
Cultural Identity
This category evaluates the student's ability to compare and contrast cultural identities within the context of migration.Cultural Identity Analysis
Depth of analysis and reflection on the similarities and differences between cultural identities.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe comparison demonstrates a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the similarities and differences between cultural identities, providing insightful analysis of how migration influences cultural identity.
Proficient
3 PointsThe comparison clearly identifies and explains the similarities and differences between cultural identities, demonstrating a solid understanding of how migration influences cultural identity.
Developing
2 PointsThe comparison identifies some similarities and differences between cultural identities, but the analysis is lacking in depth and clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsThe comparison does not adequately address the similarities and differences between cultural identities, and the analysis is minimal or absent.
Community Impact Profile
This category assesses the student's ability to research and present on individuals or groups who have positively impacted their communities, focusing on the actions of migrants or organizations that support migrant communities.Community Impact
Depth of research and clarity of the profile in highlighting the contributions and impact of individuals or groups who have worked to improve their community.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe profile showcases comprehensive and insightful research, highlighting the significant contributions and profound impact of individuals or groups who have worked to improve their community, demonstrating a deep understanding of community development and social change.
Proficient
3 PointsThe profile clearly highlights the contributions and impact of individuals or groups who have worked to improve their community, providing relevant examples and information.
Developing
2 PointsThe profile mentions some contributions and impact of individuals or groups who have worked to improve their community, but the information is limited in scope.
Beginning
1 PointsThe profile does not adequately highlight the contributions and impact of individuals or groups who have worked to improve their community, and the information is minimal or inaccurate.