This activity supports Disciplinary Literacy in Social Studies — Thinking Like a Historian — Turning Points. Adapted from the Wisconsin Historical Society lesson plan “An ‘American Letter’ by Norwegian Immigrants.”
Grade level: Appropriate for grades 4-12 with teacher modifications
Duration: Two class periods
- Have students search Recollection Wisconsin to find letters and diaries composed by European immigrants and/or other early settlers in Wisconsin. To find letters and diaries from immigrants and settlers:
- Explore our online exhibit “Wisconsin Memoirs.”
- Explore the Wisconsin Pioneer Experience, a digital collection of diaries, letters, reminiscences, speeches and other writings of people who settled Wisconsin during the 19th century.
- After students have read several examples of letters and diaries, ask the following questions to prompt discussion:
- What was the author’s intent in writing this letter or diary entry?
- Are there favorable comments concerning America and/or Americans?
- What is it about Wisconsin that seemed to most impress the main author?
- Are there important events in Wisconsin (or the United States) that the author mentions?
- Consider the author’s overall views on life, work, family, health, death, and the status of men versus women in society. How have these views changed or remained the same?
- How did the author’s decision to leave home narrow or eliminate his or her choices?
- How did this decision to leave change his or her life?
- What makes leaving one’s home for another state or another country a turning point for an individual or a family?
- Then have students select a letter and write a response to it, either from their own modern perspective or from the historical perspective of someone such as the letter writer’s family member or friend.
