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Collection Overview: This collection includes a variety of resources to help my students learn more about our essential question: Is the American Dream more likely to inspire or destroy us? We will be focusing on resilience through first generation Americans' stories. In this unit students are allowed to choose from several different novels that explore the American "dream" and similar themes. They will be working in book clubs built around their chosen novel. Before we begin our novel study, they will read several different written sources, view a photography collection, and conduct analysis on videos. They will be tasked with following the directions provided for each source.

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Collection Overview: This collection includes a variety of resources to help my students learn more about our essential question: Is the American Dream more likely to inspire or destroy us? We will be focusing on resilience through first generation Americans' stories. In this unit students are allowed to choose from several different novels that explore the American "dream" and similar themes. They will be working in book clubs built around their chosen novel. Before we begin our novel study, they will read several different written sources, view a photography collection, and conduct analysis on videos. They will be tasked with following the directions provided for each source.

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Introduction to the Collection: One of the big theme topics we have explored this school year has involved resilience.  Before we begin our choice novel study, I would like for you to view the materials provided in this collection thoroughly and thoughtfully,  making connections between yourself and the sources.  You will see through this collection that while the "stories" shared are similar, they are all told in their own unique way. Think about this while you are viewing each source and consider what makes each "share" impactful.

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Introduction to the Collection: One of the big theme topics we have explored this school year has involved resilience.  Before we begin our choice novel study, I would like for you to view the materials provided in this collection thoroughly and thoughtfully,  making connections between yourself and the sources.  You will see through this collection that while the "stories" shared are similar, they are all told in their own unique way. Think about this while you are viewing each source and consider what makes each "share" impactful.

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View the photograph gallery on the provided website.  After viewing the photos and reading the captions, consider why people migrate. What factors influence people's decisions to leave their home countries, often risking their lives in the process? What kind of internal or external forces are their driving motivation?

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View the photograph gallery on the provided website.  After viewing the photos and reading the captions, consider why people migrate. What factors influence people's decisions to leave their home countries, often risking their lives in the process? What kind of internal or external forces are their driving motivation?

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Meaning both “destination” and “destiny” in Spanish, Destino portrays the perilous journey of undocumented Central American migrants along the network of freight trains lurching inexorably across Mexico, towards the hope of finding work in the United States. It is the odyssey of a generation of exiles across a landscape that is becoming increasingly dangerous, heading towards a precarious future as an option of last resorts.

Unlike Mexican migration to the United States that dates back to the 1880’s, the unprecedented wave of Central American migration began a full century later, the consequence of bloody civil wars, U.S. Cold War-era intervention in the region and crippling international trade policies. Those regional conflicts left a legacy of drug and gang related violence, a high incidence of domestic abuse, and unrelenting poverty.

Migration as an issue is current; the story of migration is timeless. Having grown up on the adventure tales of Jack London and Mark Twain, and then later on Cormac McCarthy’s border stories, there is no storyline more compelling to me than one involving a youthful odyssey across a hostile wilderness. With a singularity of purpose and a kind of brazen resilience, migrants traverse deadly terrain, relying mostly on their wits and the occasional kindness of strangers. In documenting a journey both concrete and figurative, I convey the experience of individuals who struggle to control their own destiny when confronted by extreme circumstances, much like the anti-hero protagonists of the adventure tales I grew up reading.

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Destino portrays the journey by freight train known as La Bestia by undocumented Central American migrants across Mexico to reach the United States.

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After reading Romina Garber's essay from the Hope Nation anthology, think about the following question: How does Romina Garber’s story embody (or even reject) elements of “The American Dream”? (i.e the idea that America is the land of opportunity for anyone who comes here).

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After reading Romina Garber's essay from the Hope Nation anthology, think about the following question: How does Romina Garber’s story embody (or even reject) elements of “The American Dream”? (i.e the idea that America is the land of opportunity for anyone who comes here).

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Born in Argentina, Made in America_ The Immigrant Identity_ (1)

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As you watch, consider Abdulahi's spoken word performance- What do you notice about how she delivers the lines of her poem? Body language? Pauses for emphasis? Tone? Emotion? Pacing? Then, after you have listened to the entire poem, attempt to interpret the title. Why do you think she chose to title this piece "The Unwritten Letter to my Immigrant Parent"?

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As you watch, consider Abdulahi's spoken word performance- What do you notice about how she delivers the lines of her poem? Body language? Pauses for emphasis? Tone? Emotion? Pacing? Then, after you have listened to the entire poem, attempt to interpret the title. Why do you think she chose to title this piece "The Unwritten Letter to my Immigrant Parent"?

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Muna Abdulahi - "The Unwritten Letter from my Immigrant Parent"

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After watching Adichie's TedTalk, think about the following: What are some examples of "single stories" in your personal life, education, or in the news you've seen? How might we begin to "reject the single story" in our lives to regain Adichie's so-called paradise?

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After watching Adichie's TedTalk, think about the following: What are some examples of "single stories" in your personal life, education, or in the news you've seen? How might we begin to "reject the single story" in our lives to regain Adichie's so-called paradise?

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story | TED

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"She's an American Child" explores the dilemma of identity and a life of uncertainty. A woman facing domestic violence in the Dominican Republic escaped to the United States with her toddler daughter. The woman remains undocumented and her now 22-year old daughter has been granted protection by the US government through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Will one or both be deported? Will the daughter end up in the country she has not set foot in since she was five years old? After watching the short film, consider the following: What did this film reveal about the kinds of psychological issues faced by immigrants? Annabelle says that she lives every day both grateful and fearful. Why? How does being raised in a country away from her family affect her identity and personal culture? 

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"She's an American Child" explores the dilemma of identity and a life of uncertainty. A woman facing domestic violence in the Dominican Republic escaped to the United States with her toddler daughter. The woman remains undocumented and her now 22-year old daughter has been granted protection by the US government through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Will one or both be deported? Will the daughter end up in the country she has not set foot in since she was five years old? After watching the short film, consider the following: What did this film reveal about the kinds of psychological issues faced by immigrants? Annabelle says that she lives every day both grateful and fearful. Why? How does being raised in a country away from her family affect her identity and personal culture? 

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In our Voices blog, immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers share their experiences and thoughts with other newcomers. Blog posts are published mostly in English.

To celebrate the launch of our new website, USAHello introduces an inspiring series of films.

These 10 documentary films are in a series named New Immigrant and Refugee Visions. They were made by and about immigrants and refugees. The film-makers were chosen, trained and mentored by Community Supported Film, and we are excited to share their work with you as part of Voices, our platform for refugees and immigrants to tell their own stories. We will post a new film every month so you too can celebrate the contributions that new Americans make to our society.

About the film "She's an American Child"

A dilemma of identity. A life of uncertainty. A woman facing domestic violence in the Dominican Republic escaped to the United States with her toddler daughter. The woman remains undocumented, and her now 22-year old daughter has been granted protection by the US government through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Will one or both be deported? Will the daughter end up in a country she has not set foot in since she was 5 years old?

About the filmmaker Rafael DeLeon

Rafael emigrated from the Dominican Republic in 2009 and now lives in Lynn, Massachsetts. He co-founded the Latino Support Network and produces "Camino hacia la Integracion" (Pathways to Integration), a local TV show that interviews immigrants about the many ways they integrate into American society. Rafael teaches computer literacy at the KIPP Academy Charter School, where he first learned English upon arriving in the USA.

Show the films in your community

Community Supported Film is looking for locations and hosts to arrange Screen and Discuss events of the New Immigrant and Refugee Visions films. Organize a screening to inspire conversation and action among diverse audiences.

Opinions expressed and advice given in USAHello's Voices and Hello blogs are the writers' own. USAHello offers impartial information and online courses to help newcomers in the USA.

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In our Voices blog, immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers share their experiences and thoughts with other newcomers. Blog posts are published mostly in English. These 10 documentary films are in a series named New Immigrant and Refugee Visions. They were made by and about immigrants and refugees.

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Background: Nin Rosario- Nina, a first-generation college student, has just returned home from her first year at Stanford University. She is the daughter of Kevin and Camila Rosario, the owners of the local car service. The community looks to her as a symbol of success, as someone who has achieved great things outside "the Heights". Google (if needed) the definition of a "first-generation" college student. Nina is hiding a big secret from her family and friends at this point in the play. As you listen to/watch her sing, think about the different pressures Nina feels. :* Why do you think Nin feels so much pressure to be the "symbol of success in her community? Where does this pressure stem from?* Why do you think she is hiding her "big secret" from her family/community? What is she most worried about?* Why do you think college is universally viewed as the ultimate symbol of success? Why is this potentially problematic?

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Background: Nin Rosario- Nina, a first-generation college student, has just returned home from her first year at Stanford University. She is the daughter of Kevin and Camila Rosario, the owners of the local car service. The community looks to her as a symbol of success, as someone who has achieved great things outside "the Heights". Google (if needed) the definition of a "first-generation" college student. Nina is hiding a big secret from her family and friends at this point in the play. As you listen to/watch her sing, think about the different pressures Nina feels. :* Why do you think Nin feels so much pressure to be the "symbol of success in her community? Where does this pressure stem from?* Why do you think she is hiding her "big secret" from her family/community? What is she most worried about?* Why do you think college is universally viewed as the ultimate symbol of success? Why is this potentially problematic?

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0:00 / 4:13•Watch full video

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Read Elie Wiesel's quote. Think about what you think he is trying to communicate (remember, he survived the Holocaust).

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Read Elie Wiesel's quote. Think about what you think he is trying to communicate (remember, he survived the Holocaust).

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As you read, consider the importance of language and ones identity. What is creating this shift impacting language in Spanish education?

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As you read, consider the importance of language and ones identity. What is creating this shift impacting language in Spanish education?

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Fewer Latinos are speaking only Spanish at home

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Read through Rupi Kaur's poem. Think about her overall message as you read. Which specific line from the poem do you think is the most powerful of the entire piece? Why is it so impactful? What does Rupi's overall message for us to see or help us to understand?

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Read through Rupi Kaur's poem. Think about her overall message as you read. Which specific line from the poem do you think is the most powerful of the entire piece? Why is it so impactful? What does Rupi's overall message for us to see or help us to understand?

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Listen to author Erika Sanchez's interview with NPR. Think about her novel, I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, mirrors her own personal experiences. What was her overall goal in writing this? Do you think authors have to have lived an experience or identity to write authentically about it? 

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Listen to author Erika Sanchez's interview with NPR. Think about her novel, I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, mirrors her own personal experiences. What was her overall goal in writing this? Do you think authors have to have lived an experience or identity to write authentically about it? 

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Author Erika L. Sánchez on Why She’s Not a ‘Perfect Mexican Daughter’

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Erika L. Sánchez joins Latino USA to talk about her debut YA novel, “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.”