Coolies+Reinforcing+Activity

At the beginning of the period, inquire about the background knowledge that students have regarding the topic, immigration. A few starting questions:
 * 1) Where do immigrants normally go when coming into the country? (hinting towards the typical traffic through Ellis Island)
 * 2) Where do most immigrants come from? (at immigration's "high point", most were coming in from European countries)
 * 3) Where would the new citizens set up their new residence? What would they do for a job and/or money to support their families?

Read to children the book, __Coolies__ by Yin. Encourage questioning regarding new vocabulary. Some words might include the following:
 * kowtow
 * ancestor
 * rebellion
 * agonizing
 * queues
 * coolie
 * Cantonese
 * calligraphy
 * trestle
 * avalanche

After reading the novel, have children research techniques behind making railroads throughout time. Consider the strenuous labor that each character had to endure for MINIMAL wages.
 * 1) How long were the work days typically?
 * 2) Were the wages worth the amount of the work?

Consider the mixing of cultures throughout the entire process.
 * Were Chinese immigrants the only culture to work on the railroad?
 * Did cultural difference get in the way of providing a good day's work?


 * 1) What is important to Chinese culture?
 * The characters in the novel saved any spare money for a ticket for their family members to join them in America.
 * Do you think this is an admirable characteristic?
 * How long do you think it would take for them to save enough money?

Ending Question:
 * 1) Do you think the trials and tribulations are worth it?
 * 2) If a family member did that for you, would you be grateful?

Have students fill out an exit slip in order to acess the information learned from the lesson.